Best half-day and full day Landmannalaugar hikes

For a short hike that touches many of the highlights of this magnificent region, the Laugahraun Loop is a great place to start. In under 2 hours cross a lava field, amble past multicoloured mountains and head down a small canyon.

The path leaves the tourist information centre and rises onto the Laugahraun lava field (red markers). In some places, it appears the magma has only just cooled, its deformed shapes covered with the lightest of crusts. In others black jagged spikes look like they have been there for millennia. The trail requires a bit of concentration as the rock is hard and not always even, but it’s not long before you have dropped off the other side.

Following the trail up a small valley and across a moraine you come to the base of Brennistensalda. Also known as the ‘sulphur wave’ this yellow and red mountain rises before you as steaming vents surround it with an eerie mist. Catch it in the sun and its earthy hues glimmer in the light. The path skirts brown bubbling mud pots, before heading back across the lava field (yellow markers) towards Bláhnúkur mountain.

Towering in front of you the green and blue rocks that cover Bláhnúkur’s flanks drop into a charming river that winds its way down the Graenagil canyon (white markers). The path follows a bubbling river along the valley floor and after just 1 hour and 45 minutes you are back to where you started. Perfect!

Mount Brennisteinsalda is a mish-mash of colour nicknamed the Sulphur Wave. It’s slopes of yellow sulphur and red iron are splattered with spots of blue ash. The base is surrounded by black lava with green grasses and luminous moss.

This excellent hike is an extension of the Laugharaun loop in reverse. However, instead of walking around the eastern base of Mt. Brennisteinsalda, this hike goes over the top. The result is an even closer look at the multitude of colours as well as excellent views over the surrounding landscapes.

Begin at the campsite and head up the Graenagil Valley (white markers) and across the western end of the lava field (yellow markers). Then turn left onto the Laugavegur trail (red markers) and then right to take the steep short ascent up to the summit of Brennisteinsalda (green markers).

The views over the lava field from here are excellent.

The path (green and white markers) heads over the other side and drops gently towards Vondugil. It’s a great section of easy walking alongside a wide valley with great views over the rhyolite mountains that surround it. Finally, reconnect with the Laugharaun loop and take the path (red and white markers) over the lava field back to Landmannalaugar. The hike takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

The hike up Bláhnúkur mountain (blue peak) is the most challenging Landmannalaugar hike on this list. But, if you like being up above everything else with majestic views then this is the one for you.

The mountain is bluey black in colour and covered in volcanic ash. The rocky path is steep with lots of small rocks, but there is nothing technically difficult on this hike. It’s simply a matter of crossing a small river and then putting one foot in front of the other as the trail zig-zags its way to the 916-metre peak.

The views from the summit are magnificent if you manage to score a clear day. With blue skies, stare across red-green mountains, black lava fields and a spot an astonishing five glaciers. Sadly, on both of our visits the clouds came in and we saw absolutely nothing.

The hike down the other side is steep and rocky so be careful with your foot placement. For this hike you’ll need decent hiking boots. But before long the path drops to the valley floor, crosses the river again and joins the top of the Graenagil canyon. From here, follow the last section of the Laugharaun Loop back to Landmannalaugar camp.

Please note: This walk requires you to cross a river twice, which in dry conditions is not a problem. However, after rain you may have to take your socks and shoes off to wade across.

If you have a clear day with little cloud and you are up for putting in some strenuous effort, then this Landmannalaugar hike captures all the great things up for discovery in this incredible landscape.

Begin by going over Bláhnúkur mountain as described in walk three. When the hike drops down to the river at the top of the Graenagil Canyon, join walk 2 (instead of heading back to Landmannalaugar Camp). From here, head up to Brennisteinsalda before descending to the Laugahraun lava field, then follow the path back to Landmannalaugar Camp.

By combining all the loops, you get the trifecta of Landmannalaugar vistas: magnificent views of Bláhnúkur; the other-worldly sulphurous vents and earthy hues of Brennisteinsalda; and the spiky lava field of Laugharaun. It’s a long day but what a day it will be.

The whole trail will probably take almost 6 hours with over 600 metres of ascent and descent but with views like this, who’s counting.

Ljótipollur means ‘ugly pond’ but don’t let the name fool you. The shimmering blue lake that sits in the 4-kilometre diameter crater is nothing short of stunning. Sitting on the crater edge as the natural forces heat your butt through the clay is a great way to stay warm in this chilly country.

The highlight of this easy walk is the lake filled volcanic crater, but the rest is good too. There are some really nice views over a less colourful but equally endearing part of Landmannalaugar plus a short traverse over a lava field. There is also the possibility of climbing the cone of Stutur, a spiky peak of black lava.

The best way to start this Landmannalaugar hike is by parking at the northeast corner of Frostastaöavatn Lake. From here it is 2 hours and 30 minutes of easy walking on a path well signed with blue markers. But if you don’t have a car you’ll need to walk from the campsite along the road for 2.5 kilometres (5-kilometre round trip) to join the loop. This will add a couple of hours and turn and easy walk into a medium one.

So, this is not really a half-day or full day hike, but the Laugavegur trail from Landmannalaugar to Thórsmörk is one of the great multi-day walks in Iceland. Taking 3 to 4 days and covering 55 kilometres, it explores some of the finest landscapes in the country. For dedicated hardcore hikers, it’s a feather in the cap.

However, if you don’t have the time, inclination or footwear for a 55-kilometre walk, but want to take part in one of the most coveted outdoor adventures in Iceland, there’s an option for you.

Follow the well-marked path from the tourist centre at Landmannalaugar Camp starting the Laugahraun lava field loop. Pass under Brennisteinsalda and continue west for as long as you like before turning around and retracing your steps.

It’s not the best hike in Landmannalaugar (the circular trails above are better) but it’s a good way to road test the famous Laugavegur Trail and see if it might be for you on another visit.

There are no hotels at Landmannalaugar but you can bring your own camping equipment or book a bed in the large hut that accommodates 78 people over 2 floors. You can find all the information you need here.

If you plan on visiting Landmannalaugar on a self-drive day trip, then the closest hotel is the basic but atmospheric Highland Centre Hrauneyjar. A little further afield, cottages are available to rent at Rjúpnavellir or you can go for a bit more luxury and try Hótel Laekur.