Landmannalaugar (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈlantˌmanːaˌlœyːɣar̥] ^ⓘ) is a location in Iceland's Fjallabak [ˈfjatlaˌpaːk] Nature Reserve in the Highlands.^[1] It is on the edge of the Laugahraun [ˈlœyːɣaˌr̥œyːn] lava field. This lava field was formed by an eruption in approximately 1477.^[2] 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.^[3]

Activities

Hiking

Landmannalaugar is known for its hiking trails. Some routes include the hike through the Laugahraun  [ˈlœiːɣaˌr̥œiːn] lava field to Brennisteinsalda ("Sulphur Wave"), the one-hour hike up Bláhnjúkur ("Blue Peak"), and the four-hour hike to Ljótipollur  [ˈljouːtɪˌpʰɔtlʏr̥] crater lake ("Ugly Puddle"). Landmannalaugar can also be the starting point of several longer hiking trails, such as the Hellismannaleið  [ˈhɛtlɪsˌmanːaˌleiːθ] 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 (from north to south):

• 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  [ˈjœːkʏlˌcɪːl̥] (Glacier Valley), 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.^[4] Cross-country skiing often takes place in the area during the winter.^[5]