Landmannalaugar (The People´s Pools) – This tour requires a 4 x 4 vehicle to get there because several unbridged rivers need to be crossed. In this tour we will be explorating the pearl of southern highland with amazing nature, vast lava fields, glistening obsidian, extraordinary beautiful rhyolite mountains and a geothermal spa in a natural hot spring.
The area is situated at the edge of the black Laugahraun lava field, a sweeping expanse of dried magma which originally formed in 1477. This unique part of the highlands is one of Iceland’s most awesome places. Landmannalaugar is a region forged by different and compelling geological elements, such as extensive lava fields and the multi-coloured rhyolite mountains. Awash in a rainbow of colours, the mountains fade from pink to brown and green, with splashes of yellow, blue, purple and black in between. On top of these, there are wonderful natural hot springs, which is a perfect choice for soaking in after a day of hiking, if time permitting.
En route there we drive through Þjórsárdalur valley, with its stunningly diverse and colourful landscapes. The we visit Hjálparfoss Waterfall which runs in the river Fossá right before it merges into Þjórsá river, Iceland’s longest river. We pass a couple of dams where energy is harnessed. Then we come to Hnausapollur, an extinct crater, which is now filled with a lake.
Once we are in Landamnnalaugar, a very MUST do thing is to hike the mountains there in order to witness these multi-colored landscape of the area, for example, a hike to near Mt. Brennisteinsalda (“Sulphur Wave”) and then down to Grænagil the Green Canyon where the walls of the canyon are made of a type of green rock that looks completely surreal.
On our way back we will take the Dómadalur route that takes us through lava fields and between the mountains, truly a unique scenery. Vikings would be drown thieves there in the old days, binding their hands and feet and throwing them into the falls from the high cliff.
We will also make a photo stop for Mt. Hekla, Iceland´s most active volcano and is nicknamed Gateway to Hell.
This tour is available only from June to mid-September or when the highland road is open.
