Landmannalaugar


Image:Vondugil and Háalda 20090721.jpg|thumb|right|The mountain Háalda seen from Vondugil. The photo was taken a few kilometers west of the campsite in Landmannalaugar.
[Image:Landmannalaugar camp site 20100721.jpg|thumb|right|The camp site in Landmannalaugar]

Landmannalaugar is a location in Iceland's Fjallabak Nature Reserve in the Highland. It is on the edge of the Laugahraun lava field. This lava field was formed by an eruption in approximately 1477. It is largely known for its natural geothermal hot springs and surrounding landscape.
Landmannalaugar is at the northern end of the Laugavegur hiking trail, and the Iceland Touring Association operates a mountain hut accommodating hikers.

Activities

Hiking

Landmannalaugar is known for its hiking trails. Some routes include the hike through the Laugahraun Help:IPA/Icelandic| lava field to Brennisteinsalda, the one-hour hike up Bláhnjúkur, and the four-hour hike to Ljótipollur Help:IPA/Icelandic| crater lake. Landmannalaugar can also be the starting point of several longer hiking trails, such as the Hellismannaleið Help:IPA/Icelandic| route at the base of the Hekla volcano, and the Sprengisandur route for hikers prepared to travel through volcanic desert.
The huts on the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails are :
  • Landmannalaugar
  • Hrafntinnusker
  • Álftavatn
  • Hvanngil
  • Emstrur
  • Thórsmörk
  • Fimmvörðuháls

Other activities

Icelandic horse riding has been available in the area each summer. The horse riding trips visit places such as Jökulgil Help:IPA/Icelandic|, that can often be difficult to access on foot and are inaccessible by car. Arctic char fishing is a common activity in Landmannalaugar and nearby lakes. Geothermal hot springs are also present in the area and can be publicly used for bathing. Cross-country skiing often takes place in the area during the winter.

Parking reservation

The Environment Agency has implemented a parking reservation system, beginning in the 2024 season. The system aims to reduce car traffic, as heavy traffic and limited parking has often led to heavy congestion and traffic knots. A limited number of reservations will be available in advance and a reservation will be needed daily between 8 AM and 3 PM during Summer.