Iceland has a strong history of braving the elements and exploring unhospitable areas. We are happy that they do since it reveals areas like Landmannalaugar. This area has a strong connection to the people of Iceland and has been visited by people all over the world.
In this article, we go through all you need to know about Landmannalaugar and what to do in the area. Take a deep breath and dive into the People’s Pools as we explore all that this area has to offer.
Landmannalaugar: The People’s Pools
The Icelandic People have a long and complicated history with its nature. After centuries of being subjected to volcanic eruptions and the harshest weather imaginable, they still love to head out and explore their country. This might have something to do with the fact that Icelandic Nature is constantly changing and creating new places to explore.
In 1477 the Torfajökull Volcano erupted, creating the massive lava fields we see at Landmannalaugar today. The area sits on top of the Torfajökulseldstöð Volcanic System which has been active for over 400,000 years. It’s one of the oldest volcanic systems in Iceland and is believed to be around 800,000 years old.
Where Does the Name Come From?
If you know a little Icelandic, you’ll spot that “Landmannalaugar” is made up of three different words: “Land”, “Manna”, and “Laugar”. The first two translate to “the people of the land”, which refers to the Icelandic people. The last word means “pools” which refers to large bodies of water. In short, the name translates to “The People’s Pools”.
The pools in question are the geothermal pools at the lava field Laugahraun. For as long as records have been kept in the area, the local shepherds have stopped and stayed in this area when they’ve been herding the sheep. These hot pools have played an important role in making the area popular since there are few other places in the world where you can get a spa-level experience in the middle of nature.
Unique Features of Landmannalaugar
Most of Iceland is made of Basalt lava fields. Only a small 8% of the country is made from rhyolite, and the Torfajökull area in Landmannalaugar is the largest one in the country.
The difference between rhyolite and basalt lava is mostly their silica content. Silica is what makes so many lakes and streams in Iceland bright blue. It is also what makes lava streams thick and slow-moving. Rhyolite is very high in silica, which in turn creates a slow-moving lava that forms thick layers in relatively small areas.
The rhyolite in Landmannalaugar is the reason for all the different colors. The unique characteristics of having red, green, blue, yellow, and pink streaks and areas of rock are the makings of rhyolite.
Where is Landmannalaugar?
Landmannalaugar is in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve in the southern part of the Icelandic Highlands. It sits north of Mýrdalsjökull and southwest of Vatnajökull, almost connected to the massive Vatnajökull National Park.
How to Get to Landmannalaugar
We know that this slice of paradise is far from civilization, so is it hard to get to Landmannalaugar? No, it’s easy to get to Landmannalaugar since it is one of the most popular hiking areas in Iceland. There are three ways you can get there: drive yourself, join a tour, or take the bus.
Take the Bus
In the summer in Iceland, there are some buses that will travel the Icelandic Highlands. These buses don’t work like public transport, and you will have to make a booking for them to pick you up and drop you off.
The bus will pick you up from either Reykjavik or Selfoss and drive you all the way to Landmannalaugar. These buses only run in the summer months between June and September, so if you plan on exploring Landmannalaugar any other time of the year, you must turn to other options.
Join a Tour
Since Landmannalaugar is one of Iceland’s absolute favorite spots for hiking, there are plenty of tours that go there all year round. These tours will focus on hiking trails and range from day tours to week-long hiking tours in the Icelandic Highlands.
If you are new to hiking in Iceland, booking a tour might be a good option for you. If you have your own transport, booking a tour or two to see more of Landmannalaugar while you’re there might be a good idea.
Drive Yourself
If you are like us and want to be at the helm of your adventure and take charge, driving yourself is always the preferred option. We said earlier that Landmannalaugar is in the Icelandic Highlands, so do you need a 4x4 to get to Landmannalaugar? Yes, since you will be driving F-roads to get there, you need to drive a 4x4.
When you go to Landmannalaugar, you must also remember to book a parking space. It is required for all cars there between 8 am and 3 pm, regardless of whether they arrive in that time zone or simply stand there within that period.
Driving to Landmannalaugar is an easy feat and a great way to see the country. You can take one of three routes from Reykjavik:
Via the Southern Route
Go east along the Ring Road from the capital along the Icelandic South Coast until you reach Road 208 on the eastern side of Mýrdalsjökull. From there, continue on that road for about 75 kilometers (it quickly becomes an F-road) until you reach Road F224. Follow Road F224, going south, until you reach Landmannalaugar.
This road will be roughly 315 kilometers and take almost 4 hours to drive.
Via the Golden Circle
If you want to make this a part of a Golden Circle itinerary, just hop on Road 32, going east, just south of Fludir. This road will eventually link up with F26 which will take you to the turnoff for F208, going south. Drive F208 until you reach F224 and drive the last 2.5 kilometers south on F224 to get to the Landmannalaugar Campgrounds.
This is 220 kilometers long and will take roughly 3 and a half hours to drive. It’s almost 2/3 of the southern route, but it only saves 30 minutes due to the long drive in the Highlands.
The Short Route
If you’re in Reykjavik and you just want to get to Landmannalaugar, the shortest route is going to be to drive the Ring Road, heading east, and then get on Road 26 about 50 kilometers after you’ve passed Selfoss. From there, you continue on Road 26 until you reach the turnoff for F225 on your right. Take that road all the way to F208, turn right, and follow the same route as the others to Landmannalaugar.
Hikes at Landmannalaugar
Once you’ve managed to arrive, it’s time to explore the Landmannalaugar Nature Reserve. There are plenty of things to see in the area, and 4 main hiking trails to try out:
Bláhnúkur í Laugum
Start with the shortest and easiest hike to do in Landmannalaugar: the hike to the Blue Mountain. Bláhnúkur is often referred to as the gem of the area. It’s a completely blue mountain with a breathtaking view of the Laugahraun Lava Field and large parts of Landmannalaugar.
This hike is only 4 kilometers long and very well-marked all the way. It’s often the first hike that visitors take on when they arrive and is considered an easy-to-moderate hike.
Laugavegur
The Laugavegur Hike is the most popular hiking route in Iceland and has been named one of the most beautiful hikes in the world by National Geographic. It goes between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk and covers a distance of 54 kilometers. It usually takes 4 full days to hike this distance, but it will take you past incredibly colorful rhyolite mountains and fields, multiple hot springs, mirror-like glacial lakes, a black sandy desert, and a thick forest in Þórsmörk.
This trail is marked well from start to finish but it is considered a tough trail because of its length. It’s most common to hike this trail from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk since it 3 out of 4 days will be downhill. If you want to make it hard on yourself, you can do it south-to-north and hike uphill for most of the hike.
Brennisteinsalda
If you would rather stay in Landmannalaugar and hike the area, the Brennisteinsalda Mountain is another great adventure to embark on. It takes you up the most colorful mountain in Iceland and provides panoramic views of the Laugahraun Lava Field and the Landmannalaugar Camping area.
This hike is 7 kilometers long and should not take more than 4 hours. It’s considered more easy than moderate, and the trail is well-marked all the way back and forth.
Skallahringur frá Laugum
If you want to spend an entire day exploring the southern parts of Landmannalaugar, this is a well-suited hike for you. This trail is 16.6 kilometers long and takes roughly 8 hours to complete, so it’s perfect for a full day on the trails. Skallahringur frá Laugum is a circular trail that leads to Skalli and then around some of the Landmannalaugar Mountains before leading back to Landmannalaugar via Brennisteinsalda.
The max elevation change is 780 meters, and you can opt to climb the 1000-meter-high Skalli Mountain for an extra good view. From the top, you can see Jökulgil and Torfajökull. And if you’re brave, you can peek over the edge of the Jökulgil ridge to get a look at Jökulgil Gorge.
When is the Best Time to Visit Landmannalaugar
Landmannalaugar in Iceland is in the wild Highlands, so the best time for most people to visit is summer. That is the only time of the year that the F-roads are open, and the terrain is kind enough to let you hike in it without putting up a fight. The rest of the year, the weather is harsh, so the trails become hard to hike and it’s often cold and wet.
With that said, the summer in Iceland isn’t the only time you can visit Landmannalaugar. The winter in Iceland is reserved for the hardened hikers who want to visit Landmannalaugar since you need to go there on a Super Jeep tour.
Can You Stay in Landmannalaugar?
One of our favorite things about visiting Landmannalaugar is that you can stay right in the middle of it. The campgrounds at Landmannalaugar have spots for you to pitch a tent, park your RV or campervan, or if you feel fancy – book a cabin!
If you decide to camp, you don’t have to book it in advance, just pitch up, talk to the game warden on site, and pitch a tent. If you camp you get access to the public toilets, drinking water, and outdoor cooking facilities. Just remember to bring your own cooking gear. Showers at the camp cost 900 ISK (€6/$6.50) for 5 minutes of showering. The cost per person per night is 2,800 ISK (€4.50/$5).
If you decide to rent a bed in one of the huts, you’ll have access to indoor cooking facilities, and you don’t have to pay to use the shower. The cost for a bed at the hut is 13,000 ISK (€87/$94) per person and night, excluding taxes of 666 ISK (€4.50/$2.50).
Explore Landmannalaugar: A Trip Through History
There are so many reasons to visit Landmannalaugar. There are several good reasons why this area is so popular in Iceland for both locals and international visitors. The richness in color feels otherworldly and the natural hot springs are a welcome sight after many hours of hiking.
So, is Landmannalaugar worth it? Yes! Landmannalaugar is worth every bit of time and energy you put into it, and you can make some truly amazing memories here. All you need to do is rent a motorhome with Motorhome Iceland and be on your way! Just make sure it’s 4x4 so you can drive carefree on the F-roads.
