Witness mountains in a surreal spectrum of vibrant colour. Explore miles of hiking trails across the wilderness. Unwind in a geothermal beneath drifting clouds of steam. At Landmannalaugar in Iceland, all these thrills—and many more—await.

Landmannalaugar—or the “People’s Pools”—is one of the most incredible sights in the Icelandic highlands. Whether you’re looking for a hiking adventure or a place to relax away from it all, here there’s something for everyone.

In this article, you’ll discover why Landmannalaugar is a must-see for all visitors to Iceland, particularly those with a passion for the outdoors. And we’ll show you why the Highland Bus Iceland is the best way to visit.

What is Landmannalaugar?

Landmannalaugar is a unique and breathtaking region in the highlands of Iceland. Nestled in the heart of the highlands’ unforgiving volcanic landscape, Landmannalaugar is something of an oasis.

On the edge of the Laugahraun lava field, which formed back in the fifteenth century, the vast valley of Landmannalaugar is historically famed for its inviting and soothing geothermal hot springs—hence the name the “People’s Pools”. When navigating the arduous routes across the volcanic Laugahraun, travellers would stop here to bathe, rest, and recharge.

It’s clear why they chose this place.

Beside the beguiling pools themselves, Landmannalaugar is a jewel in an otherwise harsh landscape. While the dried magma of Laugahraun is an awe-inspiring and desolate black, Landmannalaugar is a flash of colour. The mountains that flank this valley are made of volcanic rock that appears in pink, yellow, blue, green, and red.

Today, its charm shows no sign of fading. Visitors come to Landmannalaugar for the hot springs, the marvellous coloured mountains, and for the miles of hiking trails that traverse the area. Whether it’s for a day trip or a longer adventure, the area offers an unmissable glimpse at the wonder of the highlands.

Visiting Landmannalaugar: What to know

You’ll find Landmannalaugar at the heart of the southern highlands. Specifically, it’s part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, north of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier on Iceland’s south coast.

It’s far from any town or village, so visiting this marvellous valley is a journey into the wilderness. That means you need to prepare your trip carefully, particularly if you’re planning a Landmannalaugar trek.

How to get to Landmannalaugar

If you’re coming from Reykjavik, the journey to Landmannalaugar by road takes about three hours.

To get there by yourself in the summer, you can drive out of the capital to the east on Route 1, the “Ring Road” that journeys around the whole of Iceland. Once you’ve crossed the Þjórsá river, join road 26 that will take you north east into the highlands. Then you’ll join the road F208 that will take you to Landmannalaugar.

We’ll give you a necessary word of caution, though: driving in the highlands can be a challenge.

Firstly, any roads that are marked as F-roads are unpaved. More specifically, they’re gravel roads and you’ll need a car like a 4x4 that can handle these conditions. That’s particularly true of the road to Landmannalaugar, which is crossed by rivers you’ll need to drive through.

Just as importantly, these roads aren’t open in the winter. In fact, due to Iceland’s ever-changing weather conditions, they’re only reliably open between June and September. While you can still visit Landmannalaugar in other months, you won’t be able to travel there by yourself. Instead, there are two popular options. Firstly, you can take a private tour. These will typically use an off-road vehicle—and an experienced guide—to get you to your destination.

Alternatively, there’s the Highland Bus. With regular departures from Reykjavik, the Highland Bus is the perfect option for travellers who are embarking on an unguided trek or who just want to see the beauties of Landmannalaugar for themselves.

When to visit Landmannalaugar

The season when most people will visit Landmannalaugar is the summer. Overall, this is when the highlands can be seen in all their gorgeous and diverse glory. It’s when the temperatures rise, melting the snow from the multicoloured hills and opening the roads to navigation. What’s more, the warmer temperatures make a dip in Landmannalaugar’s hot springs a much more tempting idea.

While it’s possible to reach the area in the winter, it’s much more challenging. The roads become dangerous to use unless you have the right equipment and expertise, while the weather becomes volatile and extremely cold. That said, the region is just as spectacular.

Summer in Iceland

Summer in Iceland is the season of long evenings and splendid green landscapes. It’s when the snows melt, the winter weather calms, and the whole country opens up for exploration. Come to Iceland in summer and see the wonders of our northern nation at their best. You’ll experience the magic of the midnight sun, with no less than 20 hours of daylight in some months. You’ll have the chance to witness whales on a wildlife tour. And you’ll be able to explore the Icelandic highlands on a long-distance hike. Of course, we’re not promising blue skies for the whole of your summer trip, so you will still need to pack a jacket. But Iceland’s summer weather is a lot better than many suggest, and it’s stunningly beautiful no matter what conditions you find.

Find out more in our guide to summer in Iceland

Trekking around Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar is today most visited for its trekking—and its reputation is well-deserved. With well-marked trails and the kinds of landscapes you’ll struggle to find anywhere else in the world, it’s the perfect destination for anyone interested in the outdoors.

During the summer, you can enjoy day trips or longer treks. While you can take the Highland Bus from Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar and back in a day, many hikers choose to stay the night in the area. From June to September, the Icelandic Touring Association runs three campsites in the area, alongside a mountain hut that can sleep up to 80 people.

So, what trails can you tackle in the area? Here are some of the most popular.

The Laugavegur trek

Probably the most famous hiking route in Iceland is the Laugavegur trek. This classic trail typically takes four or five days, crossing over 50 kilometres (31 miles) of spectacular terrain.

The route takes you between the undulating technicolour hills of Landmannalaugar and the lush green valleys of Þórsmörk. Þórsmörk, known as “Thor’s Valley” thanks in part to its breathtaking beauty, lies to the south, at the foot of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano.

Along the way, you’ll see black-sand deserts, green conical volcanoes, deep gorges, and hot springs. Then, at night, share stories with fellow travellers in the mountain huts in which you’ll sleep along the way. With all these otherworldly sights, it’s no surprise that this is such a popular route.

Fimmvörðuháls

If the classic Laugavegur route is not enough for you, you can extend your journey to take in more breathtaking sights in the area around Þórsmörk. One of the highlights of the area is the Fimmvörðuháls trek. Prior to the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption in 2010, Fimmvörðuháls created its own special show. While this eruption has been overshadowed by the larger one that followed, it had an enormous and fascinating impact on the area.

Fimmvörðuháls itself had long been best known simply as a pass between Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. However, in 2010, the eruption of Fimmvörðuháls created a number of fissures and craters that can still be seen today. Most notably, there’s the Goðahraun lava field, which you can visit on this hike.

Day hikes from Landmannalaugar

It’s possible in your busy trip that you won’t have time for a multiday hike. That’s fair enough. Luckily, there are many trails around Landmannalaugar that show you some of the highlands’ incredible sights in a single day. For example, you can head up to Brennisteinsalda, the so-called “sulphur wave”. Aside from being an active volcano, with steam often emerging from its sides, Brennisteinsalda is perhaps the most colourful mountain in all of Iceland.

Alternatively, there’s Bláhnjúkur, the “blue peak”, offering an easy hike with breathtaking views over five different glaciers. Or if you’d prefer something a little more challenging, try Ljótipollur, about four hours from Landmannalaugar.

What to pack for Iceland?

Ready for a visit to Iceland? Now it’s time to start packing. No matter what you’re planning to get up to, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared. Whether or not you’re going on a long hike, sturdy shoes and a rain jacket are essentials for your Iceland trip. You’ll probably want your camera too, to make sure you have something to remember your experience by.

But that’s not all. Find out what else it’s smart to bring with you in our guide to what to pack for Iceland.

What to know about hiking in the Icelandic highlands

A hike in the highlands shouldn’t be underestimated. No matter how fit or experienced you are, the country’s weather conditions and terrain make hiking in Iceland a unique challenge.

That means there are two things you’ll need to think about specifically: what to pack and how to stay safe.

How to pack for a highland hike

If you’re coming for an outdoor adventure in Iceland, it’s crucial that you pay special attention to your hiking packing list—even in summer. While you shouldn’t expect snow, pretty much any other kind of weather is possible. And you need to be prepared.

So, sturdy shoes are a necessity. But make sure you wear them in before you set out on your hike. There’s nothing worse than heading off on a trail in brand new shoes, just to find they’re uncomfortable or give you blisters. If you’re doing a five-day trail, it won’t be much fun. Then, it’s recommended to wear lots of thin layers, rather than bulkier layers. These are better at keeping you warm and they’re easier to take off if you’re working up a sweat. Of course, don’t forget your rain jacket either.

Finally, you’ll want both sunscreen and insect repellant when you hike the highlands.

How to stay safe in the highlands

Often, hikers will be led by a mountain guide. If you aren’t, it’s really important that you follow some basic guidance for being out in the mountains. Firstly, it’s important that you tell people where you’re going. If anything happens, you’ll be happy that someone knows where you are. It’s okay if you don’t have anyone specific to tell. You can let Safe Travel know before you head out.

Then, stick to the paths. While there are so many amazing things to see, the Icelandic highlands are a very wild place. You don’t want to get into a position where you’re unable to find your route.

Finally, don’t do anything you’re not comfortable doing. Hiking should be fun and knowing your limits can help to prevent any accidents. That said, guided hikes can make life a little easier, particularly if you’re not used to hiking by yourself. What’s more, you’ll get some incredible insights into the local area from your expert leader too.

Frequently asked questions about Landmannalaugar

Have more questions about Landmannalaugar? Here we answer them.

Do you need a 4x4 to visit Landmannalaugar?

If you’re intending to drive yourself to Landmannalaugar, you’ll need to hire a 4x4. Roads in the highlands—known as F-roads—are typically unpaved and they’re not suitable for regular road vehicles. That means you must tell the car rental that you’re heading into the highlands. They will give you an appropriate vehicle.

You do have other options to reach Landmannalaugar without hiring a car and tackling the highland roads yourself. For example, the Highland Bus runs from Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar multiple times a day during the summer. It’s a really easy option.

Is Landmannalaugar worth it?

Landmannalaugar is one of the highlights of the highlands, if not the whole of the south coast of Iceland. With its multicoloured mountains and geothermal pools in the heart of the wilderness, it offers an experience you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. So, yes, Landmannalaugar is well worth your time if you’re visiting Iceland in summer. It’s the perfect destination for a taste of the wild side of Iceland.

How much time do you need in Landmannalaugar?

Landmannalaugar can reward as much time as you can offer it. Many people come here for five- or seven-day hikes, staying in mountain huts while they’re here.

However, if you don’t have that much time to spend, visiting for a day is well worth your journey. For example, you can enjoy some of the shorter hikes before unwinding in the spa.

How long does it take to hike Landmannalaugar?

The classic hike in Landmannalaugar is better known as Laugavegur. It typically takes four or five days, but how long you need will depend on your speed and level of fitness. Overall, you’ll cover 55 kilometres (34 miles). There’s also the option to extend the route, adding an extra night or two to your experience. One of the most popular variations is to visit Fimmvörðuháls.

What is the best route to Landmannalaugar?

The best route to Landmannalaugar will depend on your means of transport and where you’re coming from.

Typically, most visitors will arrive from Reykjavik. In this case, the best route is via the Ring Road. You’ll head east on route 1, before joining road 26 to head north. On this road, you’ll eventually see a right turn for the Landmannaleið, an unpaved F-road that will take you straight there. Alternatively, you can walk. Take the Laugavegur route from Þórsmörk.

Is it safe to drive to Landmannalaugar?

If you have a vehicle that is appropriate for off-road conditions, then it’s perfectly safe to drive to Landmannalaugar in the summer. Once the highland roads are open in late spring, they will typically be free of ice and snow. A 4x4 can easily manage these unpaved roads.

In other vehicles—or in the winter—it’s strongly advised that you don’t drive to Landmannalaugar yourself. With snow-covered roads and volatile weather conditions, it can often be unsafe, even for experienced drivers.

Visit the Icelandic highlands with Reykjavik Excursions

Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime hike or hoping to just unwind in a geothermal pool, Landmannalaugar offers a unique and exhilarating glimpse of the Icelandic highlands. Its array of multicoloured mountains and breathtaking views will stay with you forever.

But don’t worry about navigating the highland roads yourself. With Reykjavik Excursions, a visit to Landmannalaugar is easy. In our Highland Bus, we’ll get you there in comfort and style throughout the summer. All you need to do is enjoy the view.

Ready to start your trip? Book a seat on the Laugavegur trail bus today.