Day Trip to Landmannalaugar: Iceland’s Central Highlands

For our Iceland road trip in mid-June, as a first-time visitor, the plan was to hit the popular spots like the South Coast attractions and the famous Golden Circle route. But we also wanted to take in some unique topography not found elsewhere and uncrowded spots. And the day trip to Landmannalaugar, an area with stunning landscapes in central Iceland, fit well.

The central highlands open up for travel only in summer months. The popular activities in this area are hiking (both multi-day and short hikes), enjoying the Rainbow mountains and soaking in the vastness of the landscape here. You can also enjoy the hot springs for free! We only had time to fit in a Landmannalaugar day hike, and that was absolutely worth it.

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Best time to visit Landmannalaugar in Iceland

Unlike many other parts of Iceland, Landmannalaugar is accessible only via F-roads (unpaved dirt tracks in Iceland are called F-roads). F-roads get opened up sometime in mid-June. The camping and on-site store facilities close by mid-September. So it is a short summer season from mid-June until mid-to-end-September to enjoy this scenic area. I would definitely put a Landmannalaugar day hike as as one of the top things to do in Iceland in summer.

It is possible to take a super-jeep tour to Landmannalaugar in the remaining months but the area is covered in snow, totally different experience. 

Self-drive to Landmannalaugar vs a Day Tour

Our initial plan was to drive to Landmannalaugar by ourselves from Vik town. We had rented a 4WD with full insurance for our Iceland June trip. A 4WD is not needed on the ring road, especially in summer season, but is essential to get on F-roads. F-roads are essentially unpaved tracks in Iceland. There are different F-roads that you can take to reach Landmannalaugar from North Iceland, from Thingvellir national park, and from Selfoss town in South Iceland.

We couldn’t do the self-drive journey. It rained hard for 2 days in South Iceland and when we enquired about the state of the F-roads connected from Vik to Landmannalaugar, the hotel staff advised us to not take the journey ourselves (they had called the support number for road.is for current status).

At that time, we thought our planned one day trip to Landmannalaugar was cancelled completely. We had paid for a short hiking tour from Arctic Adventures that was to begin in Landmannalaugar. Thankfully, when we contacted the company to reschedule, we were able to join a day tour by bus with pick-up option from Selfoss town. This bus tour starts from Reykjavik, goes to Selfoss town (additional pick-up option), and then takes a difficult but the most scenic route to reach Landmannalaugar. It turned out to be an unique experience.

Even if you don’t want to drive on F-roads, Landmannalaugar is one of the best day tours you can take in Iceland. With the 7-8 drive to and from Landmannalaugar, this would be a long day. So the tour option gave us much-needed rest. Also with a knowledgeable local driving the bus, the river crossings did not seem challenging. 

Landmannalaugar in a day

The day trip to Landmannalaugar was definitely worth the long drive. In fact, the scenic route was part of the fabulous adventure.

Drive to Landmannalaugar

Within an hour of leaving Selfoss, the bus moved onto F-roads. Landmannalaugar has an interesting geology. The dried magma fields here are expansive. The bus driver made a couple of quick stops on the way for us to enjoy a vast lake, lava fields covered with moss, and some mountains.

River Crossings

There are 2 river crossings to be done before we reached the enormous caldera area. The first river crossing was short and swift. There is a parking area after the first river crossing where all folks in self-drive mode are supposed to park and cover the remaining route on foot. We had been warned while renting our 4WD with full insurance that the insurance plan did not cover the second river crossing. And that we should not attempt it.

It seemed tricky even when the bus driver crossed the second river. He looked like he knew what he was doing. We saw a car stuck during this crossing, I can’t even imagine what the fee would be to rescue the car!

Vast Caldera

We came upon a vast caldera an got down the bus. It is difficult to put the vastness and the serenity of the area in words. You have to experience it to know how unique the landscape is.

We enjoyed viewing the multi-hued mountains. These windswept mountains are made of rhyolite, a volcanic rock, and display different colours: red, yellow, blue, green and brown. Hence the name ‘Rainbow Mountains’. The colours are best viewed during morning/evening “golden hour” light. We would see more of these on our short hike.

Landmannalaugar day hike

This area is widely recognized as one of the best places in Iceland for hiking. One of Iceland’s most popular hiking trails, Laugavegur starts here in Landmannalaugar. But this is a multi-day trek. Most folks come for a short-day hike to Landmannalaugar and there are several options for those.

We did the Laugahraun Lava Field hike as part of our day tour. This is an easy hike, and appropriate for all ages (although the tour company recommended minimum age of 10 years.)  This is one of the easiest and most accessible hikes in the area, so expect people on the trail, although Iceland to me never felt ‘crowded’.

This is about 4.5 km trail through the vast lava fields here. You would walk over several lava fields if you embark on an Iceland trip, but the dried magma fields here are expansive. We took the short incline and went past a stream. You can’t miss the basalt and the obsidian on the rocky gravel path.

At one point, we had a sharp incline on top of a small rocky hill. The ascent was well worth the views of the valley around us.

The geothermal activity in the region

You can see steam rising from some parts of blocked areas while hiking the Laugahraun Lava Field hike. Like other parts of Iceland, there is geothermal activity to be observed in Landmannalaugar as well. Make sure you don’t venture beyond the marked path around this.

Soak in the People’s Pool

We had all carried swimsuits and towel on the day tour. One of the best things to do, especially after a hike, is to soak in the geothermal spring here named ‘People’s Pool’. This hot spring is located close to the camping ground.

Unlike some of the famous ones like the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon, this hot spring is free! There are outdoor shower and changing rooms, and you get a bathing experience surrounded by wild landscape.

Mountain Mall

We only walked to the hot spring and did not take a dip in. While the fellow passengers relaxed in it, we walked back to enjoy the vast caldera once again. And caught site of a large herd of horses galloping past.

There is a small camping ground with a few tents, a grocery store inside a parked us, and an energetic game on! By grocery store, I mean a green school bus, named Mountain Mall!

What to pack for Landmannalaugar

Iceland weather is unpredictable and there can be light rain showers. Even in the warmest month of July, average temperature is about 10-13°C. You also need to dress in layers, even during summer months. What to pack for Iceland requires a bit of thought and planning. A rain jacket over T-shirt and trekking pants is to be carried.

Even for a short hike in Landmannalaugar, you need to be wearing sturdy water proof shoes with a good grip. Carry a water bottle that you can refill from any river or stream. Also remember to take your swimsuit, flip flops and a quick dry towel for soaking in the hot spring.

Planning a trip to Iceland? 

For a full ring road itinerary for 10 to 14 days, see The Ultimate Iceland Ring Road Itinerary

If you have 5-7 days to explore Iceland: Iceland in 5 to 7 days

For estimating your Iceland Trip Cost and planning tips, read Iceland Trip Cost + How to plan a road trip to Iceland

Best tours in Iceland: Day Tours for attractions + adventure

For the best things to do in Iceland: Top Things to do in Iceland in summer

Explore the capital and the popular Golden Circle attractions, see Reykjavik sightseeing and Golden Circle route in Iceland

For travel tips and top attractions in South Iceland, read The Best of South Iceland attractions

For travel tips on North Iceland, read The Diamond Circle Route + Travel Tips

Travel tips and attractions in West Iceland, read Best Things to Do in Snaefellsnes Peninsula

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