LANDMANNALAUGAR
Landmannalaugar is located in the Highlands of Iceland and it's part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. All this area is definitely among my favorite landscape in Iceland!
As you may know, Landmannalaugar is a group of colourful mountains. In case you're wondering about the reason of the characteristic colour, this is mainly due to the rhyolite, a volcanic rock rich in minerals.
So let's dive into this short but complete 1-day hiking guide, so you can get to know more about this amazing place and take the most of your time there. In addition to that, I suggest you visiting other places around the Highlands which you can do either in 1 day, or more if you plan to stay for longer.
❗ Landmannalaugar is only accessible via gravel road, which includes a small but still river crossing, so a 4x4 is recommended. Also, you can think about joining a tour, or even to take the public 4x4 bus!
Find below pictures and an explanation of the 2 suggested hikes for 1-day trip to Landmannalaugar. Enjoy the views!
BRENNISTEINSALDA -
Brennisteinsalda
@evarios
This is the best hike if you are looking for an easier and quicker climb but, at the same time, wanting to see the amazing landscape!
You can take the loop after reaching the top and see more from the area.
⏱️ 2-2,5 hours including the loop and photo stops
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BLÁHNJÚKUR (OR BLUE PEAK) -
Bláhnjúkur (Blue Peak)
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This is the hike I take in the video below and that, in my opinion, offers a wider view than the previous one!
This hike would be more suitable for those who feel fit enough to climb a steepy and slippery trail 😬 (or for anybody who is willing to take an extra effort, all for the views 🙌🏼).
I would recommend not to come back from the way you climbed, as it can be really slippery and dangerous. Take the loop, instead, and enjoy the amazing views along the way!
⏱️ 2,5-3,5 hours including the loop and photo stops
And by the way, the way back to the campsite includes a river crossing
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Watch the guide below to get an insight of how it looks like to hike the Blue Peak in Landmannalaugar! 👇
To reach to Landmannalaugar, expect to drive along the amazing Icelandic Highlands with landscapes like the ones below
Sigöldugljúfur
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These waterfalls are originated from a dam, so the origins aren't natural, but it is an amazing landscape. The water here is turquoise and it is right next to the road.
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Haifoss
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This detour is really worth it. This is an amazing landscape, canyon and not only 1 but 2 huge waterfalls. You should stop by!
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Gjáin
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This spot deserves at least a quick stop, as it offers a beautiful green landscape in the midst of the highlands, which are mostly desertic and arid.
*picture taken from south.is
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Bláhylur
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This crater full of water is an amazing stop, the landscape around it is insanely amazing.
*first picture not mine
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Ljótipollur
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This is a similar crater like the one before, but surrounded by a different view, which is amazing too. And the way to reach this crater is truly incredible!
❗EVA'S TIP: try to avoid visiting during mid-day, that's what I did, and light was not as nice as it could be, as the crater has a redish color all around which is hard to perceive depending on the sun light.
*First picture not mine
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And if you want to deviate a bit more or you have extra days to explore the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, go towards these places below
Maelifell
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This is a stunning volcano that stands in the midst of a black desert sand. The contrast between the green and the black can be amazing depending on the time of the day you come to visit it, as the sun light has a lot to do when it comes to colors.
In addtion, on the other side, you can see the Mýrdalsjökull glacier at relatively close, and that's awesome, too.
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Álftavatn
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This is an immense lake surrounded by a stunning landscape. The way to reach it is incredibly beautiful.
This is part of the popular Laugavegur trail and one of the campsites, so in this area you'll usually find hikers during the Summer.
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Before finishing, I wantt to add these 3 places below to which I've sadly not been but I would like to go. They are further and more into the adventurous Highlands' roads, so it is required a 4x4, too.
❗ Usually tour companies don't offer a tour to the locations below, unless you hire a private and customized tour. That's why, for security reasons, it's important to be well equipped, get all the hiking trails information as well as weather forecast before heading there.
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Fagrifoss
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I've been told that this waterfall and canyon are absolutely amazing.
*picture not mine
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Laki
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This is a volcanic fissure which I would love to see.
*picture not mine
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I hope you get to enjoy the most of Landmannalaugar and Fjallabak Nature Reserve with this short but complete guide.
Enjoy the views and let me know if you make it to these last spots!
Don’t hesitate to check my other guides! I leave below some of my itineraries of Iceland! 👇🏼
And for the most adventurous ones...
I also invite you to read about “My Story” if you are interested in knowing more about living abroad, being nomad, or other destinations, and to get to know more about me and how I started moving around!
I’ve been living nomad for the last years, and here I’ll show how I’ve done it without spending money, earning it, instead!
Since I started living abroad, I received comments claiming that I'm rich or lucky. So I decided to write about my story with the aim to show how living this lifestyle can be aittanable for everybody and to show a bit more about me!
Don't expect to read about being a digital nomad, that's not the only way to live like that. There are many other possibilities to have a nomad lifestyle.
Hopefully, I get to inspire somebody to start pursuing their dreams, no matter how big they are, they can happen (I can tell), to get out from the auto-pilot we all live in, and to dare oneself to step out of the comfort zone! 💭✈️
I will talk about:
• How did I start living abroad?
• Places I have lived in so far
• How I keep having this lifestyle
• My best tip to live nomad
• The people I met along the journey
• What's next?
Adventure • Budget • Nature
Thank you for reading, and don't hesitate to reach me out on Instagram @evarios14 if you have any question, feedback or just want to connect!
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