The Best Hikes in the Icelandic Highlands
The Icelandic Highlands offer some of the most striking and remote landscapes in the country. The trails here lead through colorful mountains, black sand deserts, hot springs, and wide open valleys. In this section, you’ll learn how each route offers its own special view of the Highlands.
Landmannalaugar Hiking Trail
The Landmannalaugar Highland hiking trails are widely known as one of the best treks in Iceland. The area’s geothermal activity means Landmannalaugar‘s rivers and streams are warm and perfect for bathing, which is the ideal way to relax after a hike.
On top of that, the incredible mountains seen during the hike have stunning tones of orange, green, purple, and red, making this region a beauty to witness. These mountain colors have long made Landmannalaugar a must-see for photographers worldwide.
It is important to note that the central highlands, where Landmannalaugar is located, are only accessible during the summer months in Iceland. The area is usually open from late June or early July until the end of September, depending on the weather.
Three Major Hiking Routes in Landmannalaugar:
Landmannalaugar has many scenic trails, but these three stand out for their colorful landscapes, striking geology, and wide views. They highlight the region’s lava fields, crater lakes, and rhyolite mountains.
1. Laugahraun Lava Field to Brennisteinsalda Mountain Hike
This hike takes you from the edge of the black Laugahraun Lava Field to the colorful Brennisteinsalda Volcano, which rises about 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) tall. Its name comes from the yellow sulfur patches on the mountainside. With red iron, dark volcanic ash, and bright green moss, Brennisteinsalda is often described as one of the most colorful mountains in Iceland.
2. Mount Blahnjukur Hike
The hike to the 3,051-foot (940-meter) summit of Mount Blahnjukur, or “Blue Peak,” offers beautiful views. Along the trail, you’ll be in awe at the dark blacks and blues of the surrounding lava flows and settled ash.
The mountain sits next to Brennisteinsalda, and on clear days, you can see up to five glaciers from the top. This is one of the best hikes in Iceland for avid landscape photographers.
Distance: 3.8–4.1 miles (6.1–6.5 kilometers)
Duration: 2.5–3.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
3. Ljotipollur Crater Lake Hike
The trek to Ljotipollur Crater Lake, or “the ugly puddle” in Icelandic, shows the wide variety of scenery in this area. The name is misleading, as the “puddle” is actually a deep and beautiful lake filled with trout.
The lake is surrounded by sloping red hills that stand out strongly against the dark gravel. The colors change with the light, giving the crater a different look throughout the day.
Top Landmannalaugar Hiking Tours
Given Landmannalaugar’s many diverse landscapes and sights, there are numerous hiking tours to enjoy there during your time in Iceland.
Scenic 5-Day Hiking Tour from Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork – You’ll cross colorful hills, black sand plains, and river valleys on the way to Thorsmork. Each day ends in a mountain hut with your guide managing navigation and safety.
Landmannalaugar Bus Tour with Hiking & Nature Baths from Reykjavik – Enjoy easy to moderate hikes through lava fields and colorful hills before relaxing in the warm natural hot spring. The day also includes visits to waterfalls such as Haifoss and Hjalparfoss.
Scenic 6 Day Hiking Tour in Iceland from Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork with Fimmvorduhals day hike – This trek goes beyond the Laugavegur route, leading you across the Fimmvorduhals pass and into Thorsmork with mountain hut stays along the way.
Laugavegur Hiking Trail
On the Laugavegurinn hiking trail, you will not find shops, cafes, or bars, only quiet paths and beautiful scenery. The name can confuse some visitors because Reykjavik’s main shopping street is also called Laugavegur, but this trail is far into the Highlands.
You’ll first need to choose which direction to hike. You can begin in Landmannalaugar or in Thorsmork. Most people start in Landmannalaugar because the climb is easier and the views become more impressive as you move toward Thorsmork.
Traditionally, the route takes two to four days, with overnight stays at the mountain huts of Hrafntinnusker, Hvanngil, Emstrur, and Alftavatn. There are also huts at the start and end of the hike in Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork.
If you have not booked a hut in advance, it is possible to camp next to the huts. You will need to bring your own tent and camping gear.
The trail passes colorful hills, black sand plains, obsidian areas, river valleys, and glacier views. Several unbridged river crossings are part of the hike, so you’ll need to wade through cold water. Water levels change with weather and time of day, so cross with care.
Most hikers travel to Landmannalaugar on summer highland buses and return from Thorsmork the same way. Super jeep tours and private drivers can also access these areas, but this depends on road and weather conditions. These options are only available during the hiking season.
Fimmvorduhals Hiking Trail
If the 34 miles (55 kilometers) of the Laugavegur Trail isn’t long enough, you can extend your adventure by adding the incredible Fimmvorduhals Hiking Trail. This picturesque route lies between the Eyjafjallajokull Volcano and Myrdalsjokull Glacier.
The trail begins in Thorsmork and continues for 14 miles (22 kilometers) toward Skogar. Along the way, it passes waterfalls, snowfields, and volcanic craters created during the 2010 eruption.
If you plan to hike only the Fimmvorduhals route, many hikers choose to start in Skogar. This direction follows the long line of waterfalls along the Skoga River. Hikers will climb up to 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) on the route. The full hike usually takes 10–12 hours to complete.
Some people split the journey into two days and stay overnight in a mountain hut. This trail is challenging and best for hikers with good fitness and experience, as mountain weather can change quickly.
Book your mountain huts through the Iceland Tour Association and get Highland hiking bus passes to and from your starting and ending points.
If you have a small rental car, you can leave it at Hvolsvollur town and join a super jeep day tour to Thorsmork, which is necessary to cross unbridged rivers accessible only by 4×4 vehicles. Once in Thorsmork, you can enjoy shorter hikes in the area before starting the main trail.