The Landmannalauger Hot Springs is located in the remote Highlands of southern Iceland and offers jaw-dropping, colorful views in every direction. It’s located nearly 3.5 hours east (194 kilometers) of capital city, Reykjavík.
If you’re planning to travel the Laugahraun Lava Field Hiking Trail or take one of the many scenic tours of the area, make sure to pack a bathing suit and towel to take a dip in these steamy waters. There’s also plenty of camping nearby, so pack your tent or camper van.
Natural Thermal Springs Pool
These secluded thermal waters were originally known to the people of Iceland as the pool of the people. This extra-large hot spring pool can easily accommodate up to 40 people comfortably and provides the ideal setting for sitting back and relaxing after a long hike through the hills.
At the Landmannalaugar Hot Springs, you will enjoy 360 picturesque views ranging from colorful mountains to lava fields and beyond. When soaking in the refreshing hot water, you can enjoy sights of many landmarks, including the Brennisteinsalda volcano, often referred to as the Sulfer Wave due to its red hue.
The water itself is rich with therapeutic minerals and stays a lush 40C, except near the bordering black lava rocks, where temperatures can get rather extreme. With that in mind, you can customize your experience to cater to your specific needs.
The Landmannalaugar Hot Springs is free and open to the public. There are showers and changing rooms that cost 500 ISK for five minutes. Make sure you have all of your equipment and supplies with you before traveling to these hot springs, as they are pretty rustic and remote.
The hot springs are technically open year-round, but they can be near impossible to reach during winter. The recommended time to visit the Landmannalauagar Hot Springs is between June and September.
Furnished Huts
Exploring the beautiful and vast Landmannalaugar area can be tiring, and you can’t do it all in a single day. Most people will want to plan for an overnight stay, whether they’re weathering the great outdoors in a sleeping bag and tent or opting for the cozier hut.
The Landmannalaugar mountain hut is a two-story building with enough room for 78 visitors. It comes complete with a full-sized kitchen with stove, pans and pot, and more. There is also an extra-large outdoor grill for those who prefer barbecued fare.
This isn’t the only hut available to travelers. There is an extensive camping network throughout the Laugavegur hiking trail, complete with huts of various sophistication (closed during winter). Even the more rustic options are safe and fully equipped for your convenience, although you need to bring your sleeping bag.
Tent Camping
If you prefer a more rugged experience, you can opt for camping in a tent on one of the many sites. Bear in mind that the grounds are uneven and rough. It can be somewhat challenging to set up a tent with pegs in these conditions.
Whether you opt for the hut or tent, a service fee is required for all guests. This service fee allows you access to the common areas where you will find toilets, showers, and drinking water.
Reservations are currently required for the mountain hut but not for individual campgrounds.
Getting There
The Landmannaulaugar Hot Springs is highly rural, so they aren’t the easiest to get to. The roads leading to the pools are labeled “F,” which means 4WD vehicles are necessary to access the location. Surprisingly enough, you can also get there by tour bus.
If you’re going by 4WD, the easiest option is to drive from Reykjavik using these directions:
- East on Miklabraut
- Right onto Vik exit
- Continue driving on Route 1
- Exit at Route 32
- Continue on Route 26
- Continue until you reach Route 208
- Continue driving until you’ve reached the pool
Safe travels to and from the hot springs! Be sure to add some others to your Icelandic itinerary and consider camping nearby.
Details
Address: Landmannalaugar, Fjallabak Nature Reserve, Iceland (close to the mountain hunt)
Season: Year-round (June-September recommended)
Cost: Free
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