In 60 seconds
Located in Iceland's roadless volcanic interior, Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk represent the twin anchors of the famous 55-kilometre Laugavegur trek. Landmannalaugar dazzles with pastel rhyolite ridges, steaming sulfur vents and a natural warm river pool, while Þórsmörk nestles between three massive glaciers, sheltering green subarctic birch woods and sheer canyon gorges.
Best for
Known for
Skip if
You are travelling outside July and August without a professional superjeep driver, or lack proper high-clearance 4x4 transport.
Your match
Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Landmannalaugar & Þórsmörk fits them. Choose interests
See
The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.
Rhyolite mountains & geothermal bathing
Kaleidoscopic volcanic hills of orange, pink and teal rise around a natural thermal river where hikers soak surrounded by black obsidian lava.
Glacial valley & Valahnúkur viewpoint
A birch-carpeted sanctuary enclosed between Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Tindfjallajökull, with sweeping panorama trails atop Valahnúkur.
World-class 55km highland trek
Iceland's most famous multi-day hiking trail, crossing geothermal peaks, black sand deserts and glacial rivers between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk.
Eat
A short list, kept short on purpose. Each entry answers one question: when is this the right choice?
No booking, no ceremony, reliably good.
Iconic green bus café at Landmannalaugar base
A cheerful converted green bus parked in the Landmannalaugar camp serving hot soup, coffee, chocolate and trail provisions.
Highland gateway diner, fuel & provisions
The last service point before entering the interior on Route F26, serving hearty hot buffets, coffee and packed lunches.
Too few picks yet for their own heading, so they share this list.
Highland dining room & craft beer in Þórsmörk
A welcoming log-walled restaurant in Húsadalur serving hot lamb stews, vegetarian curries and breakfast buffets to weary trekkers.
Highland bakery treats & espresso
Serves fresh brewed coffee, cake slices and warm cinnamon pastries between morning hikes in the birch woods of Þórsmörk.
Beyond the obvious
Less obvious, rarely queued for, and usually the part people remember.
Red cinder caldera with cobalt water
Despite its name meaning 'Ugly Puddle', this deep volcanic explosion crater features striking red tephra rims enclosing a dark blue lake.
Multicoloured volcanic peak hike
An 855-metre volcanic mountain displaying bands of yellow sulphur, green moss, red iron and black obsidian, reached on a half-day loop.
Towering slot canyon & hidden waterfall
A deep, narrow rock gorge in Þórsmörk with vertical 100-metre cliffs ending at an enclosed waterfall chamber.
After dark
Rustic mountain bar with Icelandic microbrews
A characterful mountain hut bar pouring Icelandic beers to hikers unwinding by the wood-fired sauna and natural hot pool.
Orientation
How the city is actually divided, and what each part is for.
Thermal mountain base
The main trailhead campground, warm river pools and warden huts at the edge of the Laugahraun lava field.
Glacier valley sanctuaries
Three secluded hut settlements (Langidalur, Básar and Húsadalur) linked by forest trails beneath the glaciers.
Stay
Areas rather than hotels — pick the right one and the rest follows.
Comfortable glamping & mountain cabins
Offers private rooms, glamping tents, hot showers and restaurant dining within the sheltered woods of Þórsmörk.
Rustic alpine hut and tent field
Direct access to the thermal river and summit trails; hut bunks must be booked months in advance via FÍ.
Practical
Context
Enough to make what you are looking at legible.
Settlement era travellers discover thermal springs in the highlands, naming the haven Landmannalaugar ('People's Pools').
The Iceland Touring Association (Ferðafélag Íslands) builds the first mountain shelters for highland exploration.
Fjallabak Nature Reserve is created, protecting over 47,000 hectares of volcanic geothermal wilderness.
Further out
Worth a day if you have one to spare.
Famous unbridged glacial torrent
An unbridged, fast-flowing glacial river requiring customized high-axle mountain buses or movable pedestrian footbridges.
Dark blue-black volcanic summit hike
A 945-metre peak offering views of five glaciers and the technicolour valleys of the Fjallabak reserve.
