Landmannlaugar a Nature Pearl

by Stefan Thorisson Travel Consultant

Landmannlaugar is a place in the Highlands of Iceland in Fjallabak Natural Reserve at the edge of the lava field that was formed after an eruption in 1477. The Landmannlaugar is famously known for its surrounding landscape and geothermal hot springs.

Landmannlaugar is the northern end of the Laugavegur hiking trail. It looks extremely Icelandic, not because the whole Iceland looks like this but because it is practically the only place that list the only scenery that look like this. It is famous for its hiking trails which is why we can often see the crowds here seeking for adventure. Almost everyone who comes here for hiking takes the Laugavegur trail from Þórsmörk. It usually takes 3 to 4 days to hike but the best part is that there are huts one the way.

If you want to travel around in Landmannlaugar make sure you have hired or rented a 4 x 4 vehicle for yourself as it is literally forbidden to drive around without a 4 x 4 car.

The rivers are hot here but they are one of the biggest natural attractions that can be found in Landmannlaugar. The place is also often referred to as the Pools of the People because of such a free place where anyone can bathe in natural warm water.

Landmannlaugar is in the Highlands which makes it a little difficult for people to get there to. During the months between October and May it becomes rough and totally inaccessible for travellers to get there.

Landmannlaugar has limited facilities when you get there that includes a campsite, huts to sleep in at and scheduled coach services that pass by time to time. This puts many people out of their comfort zone but it is definitely worth an experience. It is one of the unique yet crazy place to go to at least once in a life time. Get here and climb into the purple and red mountain, relax in the hot streams, see for many tens of kms in every direction and party in being in the middle of nowhere in Landmannlaugar.

Besides hiking, one can also do biking here as an activity but sometimes the weather can be really awful that it can be very difficult to bike around as there are some roads that are so sandy that they are too loose to bike in. The same roads are used to bike that are for cars.

The reason why people choose Landmannlaugar as their place to visit and spend time to is that there is absolutely no ambient light pollution that adds more the natural beauty of the place. One can just come here, soak themselves in the warm waters, gaze upwards and enjoy the colors and shapes of the lights that match the landscape. It absolutely feels pure heaven to be here. The best time to visit Landmannlaugar is late august and September as everything is accessible and the nights actually get dark that allows you to indulge in the environment and seek surreal pleasure.