Landmannalaugar: Iceland's Most Extraordinary Highland Destination

Landmannalaugar is in many Iceland travellers' judgment the single most extraordinary landscape destination in the country. It sits at the southern edge of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve — a highland region of rhyolite mountains in colours (green, yellow, red, orange, brown, purple) created by the mineral composition of the silica-rich volcanic rock, obsidian lava fields from the 15th-century Laugahraun eruption, and natural geothermal hot springs where a small river of warm water mixes with the cold mountain stream. The combination of colours, landscape variety, and the accessible hot spring is unique in Iceland.

Access

Landmannalaugar is accessible via F208 (from the south, via Hekla) or F225 (from the east). Both are F-roads requiring a high-clearance 4x4 with a mandatory river crossing on the F208 approach. The area is accessible approximately mid-June to mid-October depending on snowmelt. BSI Bus runs scheduled highland bus services to Landmannalaugar from Reykjavik in summer — the only public transport to the highlands.

The Laugavegur Trail

Landmannalaugar is the northern trailhead of the Laugavegur — widely considered Iceland's finest multi-day hiking trail. The 55km route crosses glaciers, lava fields, geothermal valleys, and river crossings over 4 days to terminate at Þórsmörk. Huts are available along the route but book months ahead; camping alongside the huts is also permitted. The trail requires waterproof gear, proper footwear, river crossing capability, and navigation skills. Guided Laugavegur treks are available if independent hiking is not the preference.

Photography at Landmannalaugar

The rhyolite colour photography at Landmannalaugar peaks in the 2 to 3 hours after the sun rises over the eastern ridge — typically 8am to 11am in summer. The low-angle light rakes across the textured mountain faces, intensifying the yellow, red and orange colours while leaving the shadow areas cool and blue. The contrast ratio at midday is lower and the colours appear flatter. Evening light from the west provides similar directional quality but illuminates different faces. The Norðurnámur hills directly above the camping area provide the most varied colour range. Bring a polarising filter to manage the atmospheric haze that sometimes reduces contrast in the highland air.

Landmannalaugar Camping

The Landmannalaugar hut and camping area is operated by Ferðafélag Íslands. The hut sleeping bag accommodation books months ahead for July and August — book at fi.is as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. Tent camping alongside the hut is also available on a first-come basis and provides the full Landmannalaugar experience without the booking competition. The campsite has toilets and a small cooking shelter; hot showers are available for a fee. Camping here provides an early-morning window at the hot spring and on the coloured hills before the day tour buses arrive — one of Iceland's most rewarding early-morning experiences.

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