[ad_1]
Iceland is well-known for its geothermal exercise and plenty of scorching springs, a lot so that individuals have even made a pastime of it within the type of dipping and enjoyable in pure geothermal scorching swimming pools. One superb scorching spot (no pun meant), is the Forest Lagoon, positioned simply exterior Iceland’s second-largest metropolis, Akureyri. Positioned within the northern a part of the nation, Akureyri is understood colloquially because the capital of the North of Iceland.
Guests get to take pleasure in one of many rarest sights in Iceland within the environment of the Forest Lagoon, an precise forest! The tranquil environment, enjoyable scorching swimming pools, and majestic views of the Icelandic wilderness make for a really memorable expertise.
The handy location additionally makes Forest Lagoon simply accessible, from each Akureyri and the well-known Ring Street. You can also make a day journey to Forest Lagoon or come right here to chill out on the finish of a protracted day touring round Iceland. You too can simply spend a weekend or extra right here exploring the various sights positioned close by.
At the moment, we’ll be telling you every thing you might want to know concerning the Forest Lagoon earlier than visiting this magical place. This fashion, you already know what to anticipate and may take advantage of out of your journey because it’s ones of the most effective issues to do in Iceland. Iceland is named the land of Hearth and Ice and on the Forest Lagoon, you’ll get a glimpse of simply why that is.
All You Must Know About The Forest Lagoon
Opened in 2022, Forest Lagoon, additionally beforehand often called Skógarböð Geothermal Spa, was the results of a cheerful accident and a few resourceful group pondering. Throughout work on the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel, a 7.5 km thoroughfare connecting Akureyri to Húsavík, one other northern city in Iceland, staff stumbled upon a geothermal water spot deep inside Vaðlaheiði mountain.
Whereas the invention halted all work, which inevitably price officers fairly a bit of cash, it was determined that the geothermal spot wouldn’t be compromised and, as an alternative, the recent spring water was redirected from the mountain into what’s now the Forest Lagoon.
The power can comfortably accommodate as much as 200 visitors at a time and has spacious and handy altering rooms and showers. Along with the recent swimming pools, the constructing boasts an aesthetic rest room, a sauna that provides magnificent views of Eyjafjörður Fjord and the encompassing mountains, a chilly pool, and a comfortable restaurant the place diners can take pleasure in a big central hearth whereas having fun with views of the pine tree forests.
Talking of forests, this can be a uncommon sight in Iceland for the reason that Vikings of their heyday made brief work of over 90% of Iceland’s forest lands constructing boats and weaponry. So, benefit from the idyllic setting of the constructing within the forest, which blends seamlessly into the environment because it additionally occurs to be product of wooden, has meals furnishings, and, to additional spotlight the forest theme, has an open-roofed lightwell with a tree on the entrance.
Constructing the Forest Lagoon
A lot focus was put into the constructing mixing with the environment that the staff even managed to make use of rocks from the mountain itself to include into the again of the constructing. As guests stroll from the altering rooms to the swimming pools they get to stroll by means of this space and may admire simply how a lot work was put into the design and structure of the power.
The great thing about the power shouldn’t come as a shock because it was designed by Basalt Architects, a agency that has designed and constructed many well-known scorching swimming pools round Iceland, together with GeoSea and the Blue Lagoon. The staff wished to give attention to rejuvenation and psychological restoration and the environment they managed to attain with the completed product does certainly ship!
How Do You Get to The Forest Lagoon?
Forest Lagoon is lower than 5km from Akureyri, which is a few 10-minute drive. When you don’t have your individual conveyance, there’s a bus service that runs from Hof, Berjaya Akureyri Lodge, and Lodge KEA that may drop you on the website.
Upon arrival, you’ll first be handled to the beautiful views of the encompassing forest wilderness. To get to the lagoon you might want to stroll by means of the forest and up the mountain entrance. It’s only when you get shut that the principle constructing slowly reveals itself from the mountain face and surrounding foliage.
When you plan on visiting from Reykjavik, it’ll be a protracted drive. The space from Reykjavik is greater than 240 miles. A route that takes nearly 5 hours of steady driving, be it by means of the beautiful wilderness of Iceland. Although there are many nearer scorching springs to Reykjavik, just like the Sky Lagoon and Hvammsvik.
From Egilstaðir, the journey is about 150 miles and takes three hours. Irrespective of, the place you propose on visiting from, you might be assured a scenic drive and on the finish of your journey a calming spa expertise that may rejuvenate and revitalize your physique and thoughts.
In case your finances permits, you possibly can additionally fly from Reykjavik to Akureyri to discover the north for Iceland. Akureyri Airport is a world airport with many guests flying in immediately from locations like the UK, Denmark, and Spain.
How Are the Swimming pools At The Forest Lagoon?
There are two foremost scorching swimming pools at Forest Lagoon.
The big pool is greater than 5500 sq. toes in space, with a temperature that’s saved round 98°F (37°C). The big pool has two swim-up bars and an indoor entry proper from the altering rooms making it extra comfy for guests by not having to be uncovered to the encompassing cool climate.
The second pool is way smaller, measuring about 570 sq. toes, and the temperature is saved round 104°F (40°C), however it has probably the most beautiful views, significantly round sundown.
We hung out in each swimming pools, first lounging within the giant pool and having fun with a couple of drinks, earlier than transferring to the smaller pool and simply soaking within the heat and tranquility. All in all, we spent greater than 2.5 hours within the Forest Lagoon services, and it was extremely enjoyable.
What’s The Altering Room Scenario At The Forest Lagoon?
The Forest Lagoon has a spacious communal altering space separated by intercourse. Not like the older established public scorching swimming pools, there are additionally non-public altering rooms and showers in case you might be shy. Showers have shampoo and conditioner. There are restricted stalls for these looking for privateness, so make sure you bathe and alter as quick as doable throughout busy intervals.
What Else Is There to Do on the Forest Lagoon?
For these eager to benefit from the warmth in a different way, head over to the Finnish Dry Sauna. After our time within the pool, we relaxed and loved the dry warmth whereas taking within the views of Eyjafjörður and the encompassing mountains.
The temperature of the Sauna is round 176°F (80°C) with a humidity of 20%. Additionally, in contrast to most saunas the place guests simply wrap a towel round their waist, on the Forest Lagoon guests are required to put on their swimsuits.
There’s additionally a chilly pool, the place lots of the guests would take a plunge within the ice chilly water after dipping within the scorching pool, as combining the 2 has many well being advantages. We love taking chilly plunges and spent nearly 10 minutes attempting to endure the chilly earlier than hopping again over to the recent swimming pools.
When you’re visiting Forest Lagoon make sure you check out Forest Bistro, the on-site restaurant, after your pool go to. Throughout our go to, we tried the lamb soup, the Skógur sandwich, and the quinoa and black bean salad. The meals was scrumptious, and the service was glorious, however the environment stood out probably the most.
The whole space is clad in wooden, and the indoor hearth, views of Eyjafjörður, and pine tree environment make for an unbelievable eating expertise.
What Does The Forest Lagoon Value?
Ticket costs are 6590 ISK or round 50 USD for adults, and 3290 ISK or 25 USD for younger ones aged six years to fifteen years. Youngsters beneath 5 years of age are allowed free entry, however they’ll have to share a locker with their mother or father/guardian.
Though you may get tickets whenever you arrive, it might be a good suggestion to e book prematurely particularly through the summer time in Iceland. We booked tickets utilizing the Forest Lagoon web site and upon reaching we realized simply how good an thought spending a couple of hours soaking within the swimming pools could be.
The Forest Lagoon is a well-liked spot with many guests each day so you may count on a wait time if you happen to present up with out reserving tickets prematurely, and we noticed quite a lot of individuals ready till the place cleared out a bit.
What Ought to You Deliver with You to The Forest Lagoon?
The naked minimal it’s best to convey to any scorching pool is a swimsuit and your individual towel, be certain that to place each of these items in your Iceland packing checklist. Sizzling swimming pools just like the Forest Lagoon normally do provide these items on a rental foundation, although we discover it’s much more hygienic simply to convey your individual.
The environment are simply too good to not {photograph} so that you’re sure to have your cellphone with you. We introduced ours round for images and movies and would suggest investing in a water-proof case or sealable bag to verify your cellphone doesn’t get moist. The sealable bag will even come in useful to pack your moist swimsuit after you’re accomplished along with your go to as they don’t seem to be offered on the Forest Lagoon.
To be on the protected facet, convey a couple of swimsuits with you to Iceland because you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a drying machine within the Forest Lagoon, or some other scorching pool in Iceland for that matter. The climate isn’t favorable both for drying garments and if you end up eager to go to a different scorching pool or wanting to go to Forest Lagoon a second time, you’ll be ready a few days earlier than your swimsuit is dry.
Flip flops are additionally a good suggestion as they’ll maintain your toes clear int the locker rooms. For these rocking lengthy hair, convey some clips as nicely to maintain your hair beneath management. I additionally introduced all my toiletries to the Forest Lagoon in order that after I might head proper to our campsite in Iceland and settle in for the night time.
Guidelines and Etiquette At The Forest Lagoon
Regardless that there are some non-public stalls within the altering and bathe space, be aware of others who’re ready after you for his or her flip. And everybody must bathe earlier than coming into the swimming pools in Iceland, which is one among our high Iceland journey suggestions. Bathe and alter as quick as you may to make sure the ready line stays brief for everybody.
Keep away from sporting any jewellery close to the swimming pools. You possibly can retailer any valuables within the locker that shall be assigned to you and hooked up to the waterproof bracelet you may be given.
This isn’t simply because it’s unsafe for everybody in case you break your jewellery and it falls on the ground or within the swimming pools, but additionally as a result of the mineral content material within the water can harm your good jewellery. We don’t suggest bringing in any costly objects into the precise swimming pools.
How Does The Forest Lagoon Evaluate to Different Sizzling Swimming pools?
Whereas there’s little doubt that different extra well-known scorching swimming pools like Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon provide swimming pools near Reykjavik, which suggests extra facilities and comfort (Blue Lagoon has a 5-star lodge proper subsequent to it), what Forest Lagoon affords is the distinctive tranquil setting within the forest.
As we talked about, there aren’t many forests in Iceland, and having a scorching pool proper in the course of one makes for a novel expertise. It’s additionally rather more quiet in comparison with different scorching swimming pools in Iceland, although it’s removed from the quietest we visited (that honor would go to Krauma!) Forest Lagoon has extra aggressive costs compared to Sky Lagoon and (particularly) the Blue Lagoon.
What Are the Close by Sights?
Since Forest Lagoon is positioned near each Akureyri and off the well-known Ring Street, entry to the opposite superb points of interest of Iceland is made a lot simpler.
Akureyri has a lot to do when it comes to tradition, artwork, and pure magnificence. The Akureyri Museum boasts a formidable assortment of artifacts the place you may study all concerning the native tradition and historical past, from early settlement to the current day. There’s additionally the Bike Museum of Iceland, the place you may study concerning the nation’s wealthy bike tradition within the 5,500-square-foot purpose-built facility.
When it comes to pure magnificence, wildlife fanatics can go to the Akureyri Botanical Backyard, with its giant assortment of floral species.
The encircling space additionally has many stunning waterfalls. Simply 20 miles east is Godafoss Waterfall, thought of to be Iceland’s most stunning waterfall. A number of miles additional, you may see one other beautiful waterfall at Geitafoss. Dettifoss Waterfall is one other stunning location that’s price visiting, however it’s a barely longer drive, taking nearly two hours from Akureyri.
There are extra pure points of interest like Lake Myvatn, positioned 50 miles east of Akureyri. Myvatn has a wealthy hen life, attracting hen watchers from in all places. It’s additionally a website of volcanic exercise and that added to the serene environment, makes for a fantastic and memorable expertise.
Is The Forest Lagoon Value It?
Merely put, YES! Out of greater than 10 scorching springs we visited in Iceland, Forest Lagoon ranks up there as one among our favorites.
Forest Lagoon’s distinctive forest setting, accessible location, unbelievable facilities, and pristine magnificence simply provide an expertise that shouldn’t be missed. Many can argue that there are scorching swimming pools with higher facilities and luxurious, however there are few that may match the pure fantastic thing about Forest Lagoon, together with the entry that it gives to all of the great close by points of interest within the space.
You need to undoubtedly add this place to your itinerary if you happen to’re visiting Iceland!
Different Sizzling Springs in Iceland
You merely can’t go to Iceland with out indulging in a number of the best scorching springs the nation has to supply. Sizzling springs are an integral a part of the Icelandic expertise, and even the locals frequent them – and there are PLENTY of scorching springs in Iceland. A number of of our favorites are the Vok Baths and Hvammsvik, however you may see all of our favorites right here!
Useful Iceland Journey Ideas
- Icelanders communicate Icelandic, however each single individual I got here throughout spoke English.
- The native forex is the Icelandic króna (ISK). ATM’s are discovered all through the nation
- Have I discussed Iceland is dear? Nicely, it’s! Lower your expenses by consuming in and cooking for your self. Take a look at our Iceland grocery retailer information for all the ideas!
- Iceland is without doubt one of the most secure nations on the earth; nonetheless, it’s at all times necessary to make use of widespread sense when strolling alone at night time.
- Tipping is just not customary in Iceland.
- Iceland has sturdy web infrastructure and it’s best to have the ability to simply keep related.
[ad_2]
Source link