Landmannalaugar in Iceland’s Fjallabak Nature Reserve is an ideal location to experience untouched nature and wilderness hot springs. Getting there is part of the adventure: you need to cross several unbridged glacial rivers with specially modified vehicles.
Landmannalaugar is at the edge of the Laugahraun lava field, which formed in an eruption in the 15th century. The area is famous for its natural geothermal hot springs and colourful surrounding landscape.
You can see interesting geological features in Landmannalaugar’s volcanic craters, multicoloured rhyolite mountains, and steaming lava fields. Geothermal activity flourishes here, including the unique opportunity to bathe in a natural hot spring fed river.
Hiking in Landmannalaugar
Without a doubt, hiking in Landmannalaugar is a popular sport. Actually, Landmannalaugar is part of the famous “Laugavegurinn” hiking route. The trail starts in Landmannalaugar and stretches 55 kilometres (34 miles), ending in the Þórsmörk area.
If you prefer a shorter hike, there are plenty of hiking trails and options to suit different abilities. The most popular routes include the 2-hour hike through the Laugahraun lava field to Mt. Brennisteinsalda, the 1-hour hike up Mt. Bláhnjúkur, and the 4-hour hike to Ljótipöllur crater lake. (Ljótipöllur means “Ugly Puddle in Icealndic, but this area is actually quite beautiful!)
Is there an entrance fee to Landmannalaugar?
Between June 20th and September 15th, guests driving themselves in a private or rental car to Landmannalaugar between 8 AM and 15:00 (3 PM) must reserve a parking space and pay a service fee prior to arrival. The area is open 24/7 and visitors may park without a reservation before 8 AM and after 15:00 (3 PM). You can find more information and reserve a parking space at this website.
There are also fees to use the showers and changing room, and to stay at the camp ground and the mountain hut. (Early reservations are recommended, especially for the mountain hut.) You also need to pay a fee to use the showers and changing rooms for the hot spring bathing.
How to get to Landmannalaugar?
If you’re driving, make sure you have a 4WD (4X4) vehicle with a high under carriage. There is no other way to cross the rivers than by driving directly through them. In the summertime, specially modified busses go daily to and from Reykjavík to the area.
The road to Landmannalaugar is closed during the winter, but tour operators offer trips in SuperJeeps that can handle the wilderness terrain all year round.
GPS: 63.983 N, -19.067 W
