The cascading ranks of bare-sided rhyolite mountains look a bit like a massive cake spackled with cream caramel icing, over which occasional streaks of garish food colouring have been indiscriminately flicked. It might be easy to believe for a while that this was the site of a huge industrial accident which has poisoned the land and killed it totally.
But it won’t take long to see through the lie, as the valleys and plains between the mountains are coated in lush grasses and meadow flowers; the slow-to-depart snow patches on the peaks are pearly white; the birds, tourists and other creatures are evidently in the peak of physical health; and the lakes, ponds, and rivers are pristine and pure.
Landmannalaugar Travel Guide – Organized tour or do-it-yourself?
We always recommend that you travel by yourself but in the case of Landmannalaugar we suggest that you book an organized tour if:
b) You do not have a 4×4 vehicle (It is forbidden to drive to Landmannalaugar without a 4×4 car).
c) You have no experience driving on gravel roads and/or crossing river.
d) You are traveling with a motorhome or a camper.Here is a link for a company that specializes in tours to Landmannalaugar. If you want to save money, there is a 4×4 bus with a price of 14.500 ISK per person everyday from Harpa (Reykjavík).
The rivers are hot, however – which is one of Landmannalaugar’s biggest attractions. The name Landmannalaugar could, in fact, be translated as Pools of the People, due to being such a fantastic (and free) place to bathe in natural warm water.
Landmannalaugar is in the Highlands and therefore not easy to get to – and totally inaccessible between roughly October and May. But one of the three ‘roads’ leading to this magical place is juuuuuust about suitable for normal two-wheel drive cars in the summertime. Although maybe not your own car, if you love it!
There are limited facilities in the area, including huts to sleep in, a campsite, a very basic shop, and scheduled coach services passing through from time to time. This puts some people out of their comfort zone, while others find it all far too much. As probably the busiest and best-serviced place in the Icelandic Highlands, the former group will have to resign themselves to the fact that it doesn’t get any better – while the latter group can rejoice that it doesn’t get any worse.
Whichever group you fall into, Landmannalaugar is a crazy and unique place you will want to visit at least once. Climb a red or purple mountain, see for many tens of kilometres in every direction, relax in the hot streams, revel in being in the middle of nowhere (even if there are a fair few other people there with you). Landmannalaugar is even allegedly the best place in Iceland to see the northern lights.
The reason for this is that there is absolutely no ambient light pollution, that you absolutely have to be soaking in the hot water while gazing upwards, and that the colours and shapes of the lights match the landscape like nowhere else. Pure heaven! But it’s really only late August and September, when the area is still accessible and the nights actually get dark, that you’ll be able to indulge in this surreal pleasure.
Landmannalaugar Travel Guide – How to get there
With a bus: There are daily tours to Landmannalaugar from Reykjavík from the middle of June to the middle of September. Departure from BSÍ (omnibus central station) at 8:30. There are also daily tours from Skaftafell. The busses stop for 2 hours in Landmannalaugar and leave to Reykjavík and Skaftafell around 14:30 (changable schedule!). In the mid summer there are scheduled bus tours between Landmannalaugar and Mývatn. Reservations are not necessary.
Information:
Tel. +354 77-444-77
Driving a car: You can take your own car to Iceland with the ferry or rent a car in Iceland. Insurances do not pay for damaged rental cars on F roads (mountain roads). There are three main roads leading to Landmannalaugar. The easiest one is F 208 from the north, from the power stations.
There are no rivers to cross, so a normal car will be enough, but be prepared for some shaking. You need bigger cars, with 4Wd for the other roads. The second easiest is F 225 from the west (close to mt. Hekla) and the third easiest is F 208 from the south (between Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur). Inform yourself about the weather because water in the rivers can differ a lot.
Landmannalaugar Tours: You can let experts do the driving and carry the responsibility (Day Tours every day; +354 776 76 76, www.landmannalaugartours.com). A Super Jeep Tour to Landmannalaugar cost around 38.000 ISK (summer and winter).
Some people hitchhike but that requires patience, since most drivers in the highlands are using all their space.
Biking: This is cheap but can be very difficult. Weather can be awful and some roads are so sandy that they are too loose to bike in. The scheduled busses can take bikes for a reasonable fee. You use the same roads as the cars. Biking on the Laugavegur hiking trail is not forbidden, but only suitable for trained mountain-bikers, who can take care of not spoiling the tracks and the land.
Hiking: Almost everyone who walks to Landmannalaugar follows the Laugavegur trail from Þórsmörk. It takes 3 or 4 days and there are huts on the way. There are bus connections at both ends. Hiking day tours around Landmannalaugar are many and magnificent.
Landmannalaugar Travel Guide – Where you can sleep
Camping: In the nature reserve area, you may only camp at Landmannalaugar, Landmannahellir and Hrafntinnusker. Outside the area, you may camp anywhere where you don´t spoil anything. There are camping facilities where there are huts and there you have to pay something.
Landmannalaugar Travel Guide – Hiking the Landmannalaugar-Thorsmork Trail
The total hiking distance is close to 53 km and the route from Thorsmork to Skogar on the south coast adds 24-26 km.
The Landmannalaugar – Thorsmork route is called „Laugavegurinn”, The Hot Spring Route, which is very appropriate. It is clearly marked between the huts in Landmannalaugar, Hrafntinnusker (Obsidian Skerry), on lake Alftavatn (The Lake of the Whooper Swans) and on river Sydri-Emstrua in Fremri-Botnar.
The “Laugavegurinn” Trail is one of the most popular and most travelled hiking trails in Icelandic wilderness. It is equally popular with domestic and foreign hikers. This is not without a reason as the trail offers a great variety of landscape. Mountains in almost every colour of the rainbow, great glaciers, roaring hot springs, big rivers and lakes. Generally the hike lasts four days and the starting point is Landmannalaugar (altitude approx. 600 meters) Overnighting is in huts but you have to supply your own sleeping bag.
Those with confirmed reservations have a higher priority so it is important to look in aðvance if you want to have a certain place to stay.
Landmannalaugar Travel Guide – Day One: Landmannalaugar-Hrafntinnusker
Distance 12 km, estimated walking time 4 – 5 hours. Elevation increase 470 meters.
From the hut in Landmannalaugar (75 persons, GPS 63°59.600 – 19°03.660) the trail goes through a rough lavafield “Laugahraun”. From there on up the slopes of “Brennisteinsalda” and to the plateau. The view offers an incredible spectrum of colours. After 3 – 4 hours you arrive at “Stórihver”, a hot spring and almost the only green spot visible in the first day. In most years the rest of the trail from “Stórihver” to “Höskuldsskáli” hut is covered with snow.
Chances of fog are very high so even though the trail is clearly marked you must be careful. A walk to the icecaves (approx. 1.5km from the hut) is a must. The huts location GPS 63°55.840 – 19°09.700 and sleeps 36 persons.
Landmannalaugar Travel Guide – Day Two: Hrafntinnusker – Álftavatn
Distance 12 km, estimated walking time 4 – 5 hours. Elevation decrease 490 m.
The first part of the trail takes us through a valley with some small ravines but be careful as they may be filled with snow. If the visibility is good a walk up to the top of mountain “Háskerðingur” (1281 m) will reward your with a breathtaking view. Soon we leave the colourful rhyolite mountains and enter an area with dark palagonite mountains and glaciers. You will also notice a considerable increase in vegetation. The trail down the “Jökultungur” is rather steep but leads down to a friendly oasis on the banks of river “Grashagakvísl” a fine place to rest for a while. From there on the trail to the two huts by the lake “Álftavatn” is on flat land. There are two huts (58 persons, GPS 63°51.470 – 19°13.640).
Landmannalaugar Travel Guide – Day Three: Álftavatn – Emstrur (Botnar)
Distance 15 km., estimated walking time 6-7 hrs., elevation decrease 40 m.
The trail takes us over the ridge “Brattháls” into “Hvanngil” ravine, wading across the river “Bratthálskvísl”. In “Hvanngil” are two huts, one built for sheepherders in 1963 and one for tourists, built in 1995. A short walk from the huts is the river “Kaldaklofskvísl” with a bridge for hikers. On the eastern bank of “Kaldaklofskvísl” the trail branches, one branch leading eastwards to “Mælifellssandur” (Road F 210) but the other one southwards to “Emstrur” and we choose the latter. Less than one km from “Kaldaklofskvísl” another river has to be waded and approximately 4 km further we come to the river “Nyrðri Emstruá” but this time there is a bridge to cross it. Soon we will be overlooking the huts in “Botnar” (40 persons, GPS 63°45.980 – 19°22.480). A fine walk in the evening is to the “Markarfljótsgljúfur” canyon.
Landmannalaugar Travel Guide – Day Four: Emstrur (Botnar) – Þórsmörk
Distance 15 km., estimated walking time 6-7 hrs., elevation decrease 300 m.
First, we have to go around the canyon of “Syðri – Emstruá” and there is a very steep path down to the bridge so be careful. Then a walk through the area known as “Almenningar” with crossing of among other rivers “Þröngá”. It is good practice when wading to go hand in hand and head downstream. After crossing “Þröngá” a 30 minutes walk takes us to the hut in “Langidalur” in “Þórsmörk” (75 persons, GPS 63°40.960 – 19°30.890) Landscape and vegetation is changing rapidly. Birchwood and all kinds of plants a welcome change after the desert now behind us. The hut in Thorsmork is Basar huts in Godaland, in Langidalur Hut Skagfjordsskáli and cottages and huts in Husadalur.
Jóhanna Rós & Kolla
© 2016 Iceland24
Comments (62)
Sarah Denny
Do you know if it's possible to stay at these huts before the June season? I'm think of mountain biking the trail mid-May, and I'm wondering if it's possible to stay overnight in the huts.
Thanks for any help!
24
I don't think it is possible! Roads are close before June 15th
Tanveer
How about first week of october? Is this open during this time?
Anonymous
We went on a daytrip with Landmannalaugar Tours (www.landmannalaugartours.com) with a small group of 9 people. My expectations were high, and they were really truly fulfilled with this trip. The guide knew everything about Island and answered all questions.
He even made the effort to try and speak to my 9 year old son who only speaks french, I can tell you he had lots of questions! The nature was fantastic! Deserts of lava in different colors and shapes. The mountains in all fantastic colours. You just have to go there to understand! When we arrived to Landmannalaugar, the guide took us for a walk that lasted 1,5 h over a lava field and along a small river, past a sulfursmoking mountain. I just loved it, and so did my family. After the walk we took a bath in the warm clean creek. It was just the best! I could have stayed a little bit longer in the warm water though!
I highly recommend this trip to everyone who loves nature!
24
thanks for the feedback
Anonymous
Great post, very helpful!
We're going in June (2.6.-16.6.) and renting a Clio, so no F roads for us 🙂
The options are taking a trip from Reykjavik, or simply bus transfer (which is pretty expensive), or maybe stay in Selfoss and do the same a bit cheaper. The tours however are way too expensive as well – the lowest price is 20.000 ISK for 12-hour trip. And also we're too early in June for most tours.
It seems like the best solution would be hitch-hiking and bookin the lodging in advance – or simply camp for two nights in Landmannalaugar..
Any suggestions? We're on a super budget trip 🙂
Unknown
Hey, Just wondering does the bus tour actually drive around the area? or just drop you off and then do some hiking?
wondering if I can drive to the bus drop off point and do the same thing? (if that's what's done)
24
Yes, you will get time to make hiking or whatever you want. Actually you can take the bus one way and them sleep there one night for example
imallhugs
Not sure if my previous comment made it through. I'm an inexperienced hiker, without a GPS (could purchase one, though). I made the Skogar to Thorsmork hike two years ago without any problems. You stated you recommend doing this hike without a guide if possible, which my friends and I want to do, but I'm wondering if there are many people on the trail and that it is clearly marked? Is there any concern being an inexperienced hiker and making this hike? Also, is there bus service from skogar-Landmannalaugar? We're considering renting a car, leaving it parked at Skogar, and having our car there when we're finished at the waterfall (totally five days with the Laugavegur hike and the last day leg of Thorsmork to Skogafoss). Thanks for everything, your information is superb!
Unknown
Hi, does anyone know the answer to the following: If i drive to landmannalaugar, leave my car three and hike the 3 day trail to porsmork, how do i get back to my car?
24
Hey! I would say to get back by Bus or maybe talk with one of the tour operators… You can probably get a ride back 😉
Susan T
Is it not possible to get to Landmannalaugar at all until mid June?
24
It depends on the weather. Sometimes yes, sometimes no…
SJTimmerman
Thanks for your reply! Two of us will be traveling to Iceland from 28 May through 4 June. We have our first two nights booked in Reykjavik but are thinking of "winging" it for the rest of the trip. Any advice? Thanks in advance! Susan
24
Hello! I would say it will not be possible since roads will be close on 99%…
KEL
Hi, what are the chances that the bus is operational after mid sept?
24
20%
eric
Planning to visit late august. We will be driving so we don't wanna leave our 4×4 there for camping. so, we will probably just visit and do a short hike (couple hours?) if possible. Is it worth doing such a short hike? We are thinking about getting there in the morning.
24
Yes, 100%
Unknown
Hey,
We are planning a trip to Iceland from the 13th to the 23rd of October. Would it be possible to visit the Landmannalaugar mountains around the 14th-15th of October? We are hiring a 4×4 wheel car.
Thanks in advance
24
Hi Marina! It will be impossible since roads will be close
Unknown
Hi your article is very interesting, we'll arrive on 20th September, are the roads still accessible by 4×4? Thanks!
24
Hello! Please check here: http://www.vegagerdin.is/ferdaupplysingar/faerd-og-vedur/faerd-um-allt-land/island1.html
It looks like it is still open
Iceland for us
Hi there we are travelling with a disabled daughter visiting out of the way places when she is still young and relatively easy to carry. However she will be in an off Road buggy. How accessible are the paths- single track and steep or do you have any suggestions
24
Hello,
You will be able to take an easy walk (1-2 hours walk) and of course enjoy the bath in the geothermal area… All the way to Landmannalaugar by car, bus or Super Jeep is an adventure itself.
anka
Hi, Is Suzuki Jimny good enough to take road F208 in July?.
Johanna
Hallo!
If it is the 4×4 version then yes, you can use that vehicle to head to Landmannalaugar : )
Bless!
Ricardo
Hi there,
i have been reading your blog and i find it very complete but I still have a question sorry for that :S. Me and my GF are going to Iceland from June 5th to June 12th and we would like to do the Golden Circle and the south east part of Iceland getting up to Jökulsárlon and sure also plan to go to Landmannalaugar (after doing the Golden Circle), now the question is do we need a 4×4 car to do this during those days or can we make it with a regular car as well?
Johanna
Hallo!
If you are heading to Landmannalaugar then a 4×4 is a must.
Bless!
Unknown
We're plannning to go in June (1.6.-13.6.) and renting a suzuki jimmi, so F roads could be ok.
Is it possible to get to Landmannalaugar this time with this car from north by road f208?
Johanna
Hallo!
If I'm not wrong the Jimny is a 4×4 so you can use the F208 road!
Usually, landmannalaugar roads open from the 20th of June and on but it varies depending on the year. Just check http://www.road.is before getting there to see if it is accessible.
Bless!
LoesS
Hi there,
Such a good website, thank you!
We're traveling with a rental car to Skogar and are planning to leave the car there and walk to Landmannalaugur. Would there be busses from Skogar to Landmannalaugur or the other way around? Do you know which company and what the prices are?
Regards, Loes
Johanna
Hallo!
Yep, there are routes deparking from Skogar to Landmannnalaugar.
You can call the phone number provided on the post,they will be able to provide further information.
Regards,
Unknown
Hi David,
I am travelling to Iceland in the end of September and beginning of October. I was planning on going to Landmannalaugar October 4th and 5th – do you know if it will be possible to drive ad hike during this time? Thank you so much.
Josie
Johanna
Hallo!
Landmannalaugar roads are usually close by mid September. They are already close : (
Bless!
Unknown
Hi, I am going to Iceland early September. I am planning to go to Landmannalaugar by bus and stay at the hut for one night. Is the hiking trail nearby the covered in snow at this time of the year or is it possible to get snow in September in Landmannalaugar?
Johanna
Hallo!
It depends on each year's weather but in September you would usually find snow only on the top of the mountains.
Bless!
[email protected]
Hallo. We are going to Iceland 10-20 of july, and we would like to go to Landmannalaugar for Maybe 2-3 days. I Was wondering if the routs are very Steep, if it is possible for someone with terrible Fear of hights (such as myself) to hike here, if there are any routs that Will not go through the roughest parts of the Mountains..?
Johanna
Hallo!
There are indeed different routes, some of them are easy and not too steep or high and other parts can have an elevation of approx 500 meters. Just choose the route that suit you best, there are options for everyone! : )
Bless!
Anonymous
Hi,
Do you have to make a reservation if you want to camp next to the huts? Or do you just pay when you're there? And is it possible to camp next to every hut on the route?
Johanna
Hallo!
Yes, you can camp by the huts.
If coming in the high season, give them a call just to check availability.
Bless!
ssams의 조잡공간
I understand that Landmannalaugar's campsite is closing on October 1. After that, is it difficult to use?
Johanna
Hallo!
For off season visits, you need to contact the warden hut directly:
https://bit.ly/2ynDsRN
Bless!
Unknown
Hi, is there a way (telephone/website) to check in advance if roads are open to the Landannalaugar. We're planing to arrive during the first week of October (4×4 car).
Thank you.
Johanna
Hallo!
You can check http://www.road.is or call 1777.
Bless!
AndreasLH
Thank you for making a very informative site.
I'd love to visit Landmannalaugar in november by 4X4, but how do I know if the roads into Landmannalaugar are open?
Johanna
Takk : )
In November chances are they are closed.
You can still check their status at http://www.road.is
Bless!
P
Hi, we are going to Iceland in July this year and we want to rent a car. We would like to see Landmannalaugar, but we are not experineced hikers to take 80 km track there. Is it possible to take just one day hike to see the most of it and where is the best place to get with the car and take the hike. Do we have to have 4×4 car to get there? Thank you
24
Yes, you can do that. There is a small hike from the base camp at Landmannalaugar. And yes, you will need a 4×4
Anonymous
We are going to be in Iceland later this year and I am thinking of going to Landmannalaugar or Thorsmork, maybe both. Here is the issue for me. My wife has somewhat of a bad back. I know these roads are not the best but I do not know how rough the ride will be or how much we may be tossed around in a big bus. I suspect these are big buses and they probably don't drive super fast so I hope it would not be to bad. Can you tell me how bad you think the drive might be? Can you tell me if the road going to Thorsmork is worse? Thanks
Johanna
Hallo!
These are F.Roads so do expect a bumpy and tough trip. Every vehicle must slow down due to the road conditions. There are plenty of gravel, gaps, mud…etc Depending on the weather, it can be tiring.
Bless!
Anonymous
Hi! Great blog and so helpful and informative for our upcoming trip in May. If I understand correctly, we can drive to Landmannalaugar in the car we are renting and bathe in the geothermal springs without doing the extensive 3-4 day hikes? We are not experienced hikers but want to experience the natural hot springs!
Johanna
Takk fyrir! : )
Yes! of course, you can drive on a 4×4 vehicle to Landmannalaugar and just enjoy a little walk around the area and the geothermal springs. There is no need to do a 4 days-hike at all! : )
Bless!
Filipe Vaz
Hello David.
I'm not sure if you're still replying to these posts but i'd really like your opinion based on your extensive experience.
I'll be renting a Land Rover Defender for two days (3rd and 4th) of October in order to visit Þórsmörk and Landmannalaugar. To Þórsmörk the route involves driving in F261 and then F210. To Landmannalaugar i wanted to drive in F225, F208 and then F26.
After much research, I've understood that depending on the weather, there is a chance that I wont be able to do them. I just dont know how severe it can be during this month.
Based on your extensive experience on the matter, do you advise these itineraries in early October or do you absolutely foresee complications? I've also contacted the car rental company (ISAK) and they replied that in early October things should be ok but I wanted other opinions.
Thanks for your feedback
Johanna
Hallo Filipe!
The mentioned F-Roads are already closed due to weather conditions. I am afraid this year winter came earlier that expected.
Bless!
Filipe Vaz
Yeah we just came back from the trip and yeah.. we had to cancel everything related with Þórsmörk and Landmannalaugar. 500€ gone in the jeep rental.
It is the perfect excuse to come back to Iceland in the summer! 😀
Thanks for the reply though.
Unknown
Hi,
We are planning on spending 6 days on the trail and will be carrying our own food. We have a couple of questions about this: 1. How much food to bring? 2. How bid a backpack to we need? 3. Where can we rent a backpack? and 4. Can we buy food on the trail?
Any information would be greatly appreciated!!
Sarah and Robert
Johanna
Hallo Robert!
Thank you for dropping by!
Knowing how much food to carry is hard to tell as we do not really know your eating habits nor how many people will be traveling along with you. In Landmannalaugar there is a tiny van that sells drinks but not much more than that. I the recommend you to come fully prepared.
You can rent a backpack at:
https://bit.ly/1RI5RSh
Takk!
Unknown
Hi, we plan to go to Landmannalaugar on 20-21 Aug taking f208 from south. Will Toyota rav4 4×4 will be good enough? I have no expirience driving through the rivers.
Thank you
Johanna
Hallo!
Yep, that is fine. The F208 only has 1 river fording and it is optional. It is right by the entrance of Landmannalaugar but there is a parking lot right before the river. You can park your car there and just go across the river using the platform / pedestrian bridge.
Bless bless!
Unknown
Hi there – We will be traveling May 23-27 and had been hoping to see Landmannalaugar but after reading this thread I am afraid it may not be possible. We would be renting a "F"road approved 4×4. Do you think the roads will be impassable at that time of year? We are not planning to do the through-hike. Just wanted to spend the day exploring the area if we could make it in with our car.
Thanks for your feedback!
Johanna
Hallo! thank you for dropping by 🙂
I'm afraid they will stil be impassable though that depends on this year's weather. The average opening date of those F Roads to Landmannalaugar is the 20th of June. The earliest one I remember is the 15th of June. I think May is way too early, the roads might even be flooded due to the thaw.
Bless Bless!