When looking for a hotel in Hella, it helps to consider the different reasons to stay: the village has the Hella Swimming Pool and a self-guided archaeological walk, while the Caves of Hella are nearby. By the Ytri-Rangá River, a walking trail leads from Hella to the Ægissíðufoss waterfall. This lets you consider swimming, local history and a route through the river landscape as different options.

The swimming pool in Hella

The main pool at the Hella Swimming Pool measures 25 × 11 metres and is suitable for competitions. There are five other pools: a massage pool, two hot tubs and two shallow paddling pools. There are also three water slides—two large and one small—as well as a steam room and a solarium area. The range of pools and additional facilities makes the swimming pool an important consideration when deciding what to do in Hella.

As an activity, the pool is clearly distinct from the village walk and the riverside trail: here, the focus is on the full range of swimming facilities, while the other options offer local history or scenery along the Ytri-Rangá. If a swimming pool is important to your trip, Hella provides specific details about pool size and facilities to help you choose according to your interests.

Archaeology in Hella and the surrounding area

An archaeology app offers a self-guided walk through the village of Hella. Allow about an hour and a half; this is an approximate duration. The app can be downloaded free of charge from the App Store or Google Play. As its availability may change, it is best to check before your trip that it is still available. The walk is a way to combine an archaeological focus with a stroll through the village.

There are also archaeological discoveries near Hella: twelve man-made caves have been found on the land of Ægissíða. The Caves of Hella are notable for their old crosses, wall carvings and seats carved into the rock. Guided tours of the Caves of Hella are offered just outside Hella. Check current times if you are planning a visit. The two archaeological options are therefore different: the app guides you through the village independently, while the caves are visited on a guided tour.

Along the Ytri-Rangá River to the waterfall

The Ytri-Rangá River flows past Hella. A few kilometres downstream is the Ægissíðufoss waterfall, a well-known fishing spot on the river with a fish ladder. A walking trail follows the river from Hella to the waterfall and is frequently used by locals and visitors. Allow for a flexible schedule when walking to the waterfall.

Unlike the walk through Hella, this route follows the river to a specific destination. If you would rather focus on scenery and a walking route, Ægissíðufoss offers a different experience from the village walk or swimming pool. No duration is specified for the walking trail, so your choice between the activities will depend mainly on the features described and your interests.

Töðugjöld and travel planning

Töðugjöld is Hella’s annual festival. It takes place on the second weekend after the August public holiday. This lets you plan your accommodation search around a specific reason for travelling, rather than treating the festival as an activity with no fixed dates.

Discover more destinations: Ólafsvellir, Sólheimar, Háfur, Kálfafell, Grímsnes, Stokkseyri, Þykkvibær, Laugarvatn.

For the regional travel overview: South Iceland.