Landmannalaugar
Rhyolite hills near Landmannalaugar
Landmannalaugar, one of the most beautiful places on earth. If you’re headed to Iceland, make sure to rent a 4 wheel drive car and check out Landmannalaugar. If you are really adventurous consider hiking the Laugavegur Trail, a 4-5 day hike from Landmannalaugar to Porsmork.
What you’ll need for a trip to Landmannalaugar:
- A 4 wheel drive vehicle
- A reservation at the hut if you want to sleep in the hut, or your tent and camping supplies
- Food (there is a small shop near the hut but it’s best to pack all your own food)
- Swimsuit (there is a natural hot spring right near the hut)
- A sense of adventure
Golden Circle Tour in the Morning
A great way to pack in all the sights on the your trip to Iceland is to drive from Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar via the Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Geysir and the mighty Gullfoss). It takes 1.5 hours to get from Reykjavik to Gullfoss, so schedule 3 hours or so to take in all the sights in the Golden Circle.
Þingvellir
Geysir
Gullfoss. The “foss” in Gullfoss means “falls” so saying Gullfoss Falls is redundant.
Lunch at the First Ethiopian Restaurant in rural Iceland
A great spot to stop for lunch is Minilik, an Ethiopian Restaurant in Flúðir, located 30 minutes from Gulfoss. From Gulfoss, take the route 35 (southwest), then turn left onto route 30 (south). The restaurant is in Flúðir right on Route 30, so you can’t miss it.
Minilik Ethiopian Restaurant in Flúðir
Spend the afternoon driving the scenic F208 to Landmannalaugar
From Flúðir, it is a 2.5 hour drive to Landmannalaugar via Route 30 (south), then left on Route 32 (east), followed by a right on route F208, the final stretch to Landmannalaugar.I would suggest the F208 as it is the only access to Landmannalaugar which does not include river crossings. Beware, most insurance on rental cars in Iceland do not include coverage for river crossings. Also, a note on F208. The “F” denotes a mountain road. F Mountain roads in Iceland are usually narrow gravel roads with no bridges over rivers. The F-roads are only open during the summer and some of them open as late as early July. You will need a 4×4 car to drive on these roads.
Now, some pretty pictures:
Route 30 Iceland
F208
F208
F208, yet again
Landmannalaugar Hut
After a day of driving and taking in beautiful Icelandic scenery, you’ll arrive at the hut!
Landmannalaugar Hut
This is the mountain mall. Cute, so bring your own supplies!
Hiking in and around Landmannalaugar
Although a majority of people who visit Landmannalaugar are there to start or finish the Laugavegur trail, Landmannlauagar is also a great place to use as a “home base” for day hikers. The reception at Landmannalaugar will have maps detailing day hikes in the area. The trails in the area are very well signed (coloured stakes in the ground mark your trail) and correspond to the map available at the reception desk. You can spend a day exploring the lava field, hiking the rhyolite hills or hiking to a crater lake.
Exploring the Lava Fields
Rhyolite hills. Yes, that is snow, and it is June. Come prepared for all weather in mountainous areas
Resources for More Information:
- Official Page for Landmannalaugar Hut, run by Icelandic Touring Association
- Official Page for Laugaegur Hiking Trail
- More photos of Landmannalaugar
- Coach schedule from Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar
- Cicerone Guide to Walking and Trekking in Iceland
