3 DAY - LANDMANNALAUGAR PEARL OF THE HIGHLANDS
Highlights
- Discover the incredible highlands in Iceland.
- Trusted tour operator
- Personal experience
- Expert guides
- Small group experience
Overview
Hike for 3 days - discover the incredible Highlands of Iceland on this sensational trekking tour.
This tour includes three fabulous days of trekking. Hike by the breathtakingly beautiful Frostastaðavatn Lake and visit Ljótipollur, an incredibly beautiful red volcano crater filled with bright-blue water. The name Ljótipollur means úgly pool’, so it seems that whoever named it had a sense of humor! See the stunning volcano, Mount Brennisteinsalda, often said to be the most colorful mountain in Iceland, close to the base of this mountain you will see surreal clouds of steam wafting from the geothermal vents. On this trip, you also get the chance to reach the summit of Suðuhámur, another colorful and stunning rhyolite mountain. You will be amazed by the stark beauty of the Vondugil Canyon at the edge of the Laugahraun lava field. Get grandstand views over the Landmannalaugar geothermal area from the top of the Bláhnúkur peak. Bláhnúkur means ´the Blue Peak’, this blue-greenish volcano mountain was formed around 60,000 years ago. For fuller details of the highlights on this tour please see the itinerary.
Your days of hiking are rewarded with stupendous views and evenings spent in an amazing highland location. There is nothing more relaxing or rejuvenating than bathing in a hot spring pool surrounded by blue, green, mellow caramel and even red tinged peaks, as soft sulfur-scented steam drifts around you. Enjoy the company of like-minded fellow travelers and make new friends.
Our Three Day Trekking Trip to one of the most geothermal active areas in Iceland is perfect for avid hikers and outdoors enthusiasts. Landmannalaugar is the official starting point for the famous Laugavegur Trek, ranked as a world top 20 hike by National Geographic Magazine.
Landmannalaugar is a magical place in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve in the Highlands of Iceland. Known for the vibrant colors of its silica-rich igneous volcanic rock mountains and lava fields, this destination is home to the most perfect hiking trails. Whether you are an experienced hiker, or you simply wish to enjoy Iceland’s natural beauty, this hike is sure to leave you feeling as though you are walking through a beautiful painting.
AVAILABILITY: JUN - SEPT
DEPARTS FROM: REYKJAVIK
- Day 1 - FROSTASTAÐAVATN, LJÓTIPOLLUR
You are picked up from your arranged meeting point, we introduce ourselves and board the scheduled bus that takes us to Landmannalaugar. From Reykjavik, you are driven inland through the beautiful Thjórsárdalur valley (Þjórsárdalur), named after the river Thjórsá (Þjórsá), the longest river in Iceland.
We head towards Hekla Volcano, passing the extensive lava fields formed by famous eruptions on our way to the Landmannalaugar area. We enjoy lunch surrounded by amazing peaks, getting to know one another.
After lunch, we will set off on a 10 km hike to the ill-named Ljótipollur (it means ugly puddle), this lake with the ‘ugly’ name has made its way, at number 42, onto a list of the most beautiful crater lakes in the world. The incredible red crater filled with brilliant blue water is real eye-candy! Our hike will take us to Frostastaðavatn, an amazingly beautiful lake in the midst of surreal landscapes. With these sensational scenes and the crazily colorful rhyolite mountains, your camera will work overtime today!
In the evening, not far from the mountain hut, you will find an amazing hot spring-fed bathing pool. Enjoying some hot spring bathing moments is highly recommended - with the mystical landscapes of the Icelandic Highlands rising around you this is really special.
Driving: 4 hours
Hiking Distance 10-12 km / 6-7.5 mi
Ascent: 250 m / 820 feetDay Highlights:
Scenic drive
Þjórsárdalur valley
Ljóti Pollur e. Ugly Puddle
Hot spring bathing (optional)Included:
Lunch
Refreshments
Dinner
Accomodation (hut) - Day 2 - BRENNISTEINSALDA, VONDUGIL & SUÐURNÁMUR RHYOLITE MOUNTAIN
Today we will hike to Suðurnámur, a 200,000-year-old mountain peak which is very rich in rhyolite minerals. On the way up to the Suðurnamur peak, you will enjoy numerous ravines and views over the colorful peaks in this area: soft sandy toned mountains contrasting with verdant greens, blues, deep golds and sometimes vibrant reds. From this pinnacle, you can survey the empire of Landmannalaugar!
No driving today
Hiking Distance: 11 km /6.84 mi
Ascent: 425 m / 1395 feetDay Highlights:
Laugahraun lava field
Brennisteinsdalda mountain
Hot spring bathing (optional)Included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Refreshments
Dinner
Accomodation (hut) - Day 3 - BLÁHNÚKUR VOLCANO
After nourishing breakfast buffet, your adventures continue with a 3.5-hour long hike on Bláhnúkur, the blue peak - this 60,000-year-old volcano mountain exhibits extraordinary bluish colors. We will follow the hiking trail to the top, from where five stunning glaciers can be seen in good visibility.
The top of Bláhnukur is one of the very best places to photograph the panoramic Landmannalaugar landscapes. From the mountain top it is easy to appreciate the powerful influence of geothermal activity on these landscapes, your guide will share some fascinating geological and geothermal facts with you. After coming down and enjoying a short break we board the bus back to Reykjavik, we arrive in the center of the city at around 21:00.
Driving: 4 hours
Hiking Distance: 7 km / 4.35mi
Ascent: 400m / 1312 feetDay Highlights:
Bláhnúkur e. Blue Peak
Volcano hike
View over LandmannalaugarIncluded:
Breakfast
Lunch
- Pick-up & drop off from Reykjavík
- Accommodation, All Meals
- English Speaking Licensed Adventure Guide
- All Required Safety Equipment
- Free WiFi on Board Your Bus
- Meet on location
- Personal Expenses
Important Information
WHAT TO BRING:
Warm layers of clothes
Sturdy and waterproof hiking boots are a must
20-30 ltr backpack
Sleeping bag
Travel pillow
Light sleeping bag
*Meeting points and pick up times:
7:15 a.m. – Tourist Information Center at Reykjavik’s City Hall (Ráðhúsið) on Vonarstræti;
7:30 a.m. – Hallgrímskirkja Church;
7:45 a.m. – Reykjavik Campsite
*Note that it can take up to 30 minutes before the bus departs the given locations.