Landmannalaugar is a geothermal area in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, in Iceland's southern highlands, known for its multicoloured rhyolite mountains and a natural hot spring you can bathe in. It sits about 180 kilometres from Reykjavik and is reached on mountain F-roads that open in summer only, roughly late June to September. This guide covers how to get there, when it is open, and how to visit safely.
Landmannalaugar at a glance
The essentials before you plan a trip.
| Landmannalaugar | |
|---|---|
| Where | Fjallabak Nature Reserve, southern highlands |
| From Reykjavik | About 180 kilometres |
| Access | Mountain F-roads (F208), 4x4 only, or a summer highland bus |
| Season | Summer only, roughly late June to September |
| Known for | Rhyolite mountains, natural hot springs, the Laugavegur trek |
Getting there: F-roads, the highland bus, and tours
Landmannalaugar lies deep in the interior, so there is no paved road to it. The main approach is the F208, a mountain road into the highlands. F-roads are gravel tracks built for rough terrain, and some routes into the area, including the southern F208 and the F225, involve unbridged river crossings. Icelandic law restricts F-roads to 4x4 vehicles: 2WD cars and most campervans are not allowed on them, and taking one there voids your rental insurance.
If you would rather not drive, a 4x4 highland bus runs to Landmannalaugar in summer, taking about four hours from Reykjavik with a rest stop along the way. Self-driving in a suitable vehicle takes a similar time in good conditions. Guided day tours and multi-day trips also run from the capital during the season.
When Landmannalaugar is open
Landmannalaugar is a summer destination. The F-roads to it open once the snow clears and the rivers drop enough to be passable, usually from late June, and they close again around September or when autumn weather returns. Exact opening dates change from year to year, and roads can shut at short notice after heavy rain or snow. There is no fixed calendar you can rely on, so check the official road status on road.is before you set out, and read the conditions and alerts on safetravel.is.
The rhyolite mountains and hot springs
The mountains around Landmannalaugar are made largely of rhyolite, a volcanic rock that weathers into bands of pink, orange, green, and grey, which is why the area looks so unlike the black basalt found across much of Iceland. Steam rises from geothermal vents, and older eruptions have left rough lava fields such as Laugahraun at the edge of the camp. The name Landmannalaugar means roughly "the people's pools": a natural hot spring forms where a warm geothermal stream meets colder water, giving a bathing spot at a comfortable temperature. Bring a towel and footwear you do not mind getting wet, because the approach to the water is over uneven ground.
The start of the Laugavegur trek
Landmannalaugar is the northern trailhead of the Laugavegur, one of Iceland's best-known hikes. The trail runs about 55 kilometres south to Þórsmörk, a sheltered valley between glaciers, and most walkers take three to four days, staying in mountain huts or camping along the way. Even if you are not doing the full route, several shorter marked walks start from the camp, including loops through the lava field and up the nearby slopes for wider views.
Staying safe in the highlands
The highlands are remote and help can be far away, so treat a trip to Landmannalaugar as a small expedition rather than a casual drive. Never attempt an F-road in a 2WD car, and if your route has a river crossing, stop and assess it on foot before driving in, since water that is deeper or faster than it looks is a common cause of trouble. Carry food, warm layers, and a full tank of fuel, because services are sparse once you leave the lowlands. Check road.is for road openings and closures and safetravel.is for weather and safety alerts, and consider leaving a travel plan with someone before you go.
Tours vs self-drive
Self-driving gives you the most freedom, but it means handling gravel F-roads and any river crossings yourself in a suitable 4x4. A guided tour or the highland bus removes that: someone else drives the mountain roads, and you can focus on the walking and the hot spring. Guided trips range from a Landmannalaugar hike with time at the hot springs to multi-day hikes along the Laugavegur. Prices change with season and operator, so to compare current highland trips and what each one includes, see our Landmannalaugar and highland tours.
Make the road check part of the plan
Before building a route around Landmannalaugar: Iceland's highland hot springs guide, review Iceland road conditions and adjust for current conditions.
