Landmannalaugar Highlands Hike & Hot Spring Day Trip from Reykjavik

Landmannalaugar in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve

Landmannalaugar is often called the pearl of the Icelandic highlands, and a day here shows why. The area sits inside the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, where rhyolite mountains glow in shades of pink, yellow, green and blue, and black obsidian lava fields, steaming vents and clear streams fill the valleys. It is also the starting point of the famous Laugavegur trek, so you will see backpackers heading off on multi-day journeys.

A Landmannalaugar day trip from Reykjavik is a long day but a rewarding one, and this tour leaves you around four hours on site. The highland tracks are only open for part of the year, usually from early summer to early autumn, so the best time to visit Landmannalaugar is July to early September, when the roads are clear and the weather is at its mildest.

The Laugahringur Hike and the Hot Spring

The main walk is the Laugahringur, a loop of about one and a half to two hours that climbs through the Laugahraun lava field, past steaming vents and up along the foothills of Bláhnúkur, with views over the rhyolite peaks. Your guide leads the group and explains the geology, and the path is easy to moderate rather than technical, though uneven in places. Hiking boots and warm clothes are recommended.

After your hike, you can bathe in the hot spring where warm water from the lava field meets a cold stream. It is one of the most memorable things to do in Landmannalaugar, so bring swimwear and a towel. Changing space is basic, so put your swimsuit on under your clothes if you can.

Háifoss, Hjálparfoss and Hnausapollur on the Way

On the journey between Reykjavik and the highlands, the tour stops at several sights. Háifoss drops around 122 metres beside its smaller neighbour Granni, making it one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, while Hjálparfoss is a pair of falls pouring over a basalt amphitheatre. Hnausapollur is an old volcanic crater filled with strikingly turquoise water, set against black sand and dark desert.

These stops turn the long drive into part of the day out. Fjallabak Nature Reserve itself offers wide desert views, and a break at the Highland Center Hrauneyjar gives a chance to stretch and use facilities before the final stretch of highland road.

Practical Planning for the Highland Day

The day is about thirteen hours, starting early at 07:00. With the default option you are collected from one of 22 selected locations in Reykjavik, while the other option asks you to meet the bus at Bus Stop 12 at Þórunnartún 1. Wi-Fi is available on board and Landmannalaugar facility fees are included.

Weather in the highlands can change quickly, and river crossings or road conditions can alter the programme, so treat the plan as flexible. Bring your own food and drinks, since these are not included, and pack layers, a waterproof jacket, hiking shoes, swimwear, a towel and plenty of water.