Hold onto your hats, wooly socks, and elfin folklore – we’re diving, hiking, and probably slipping a little into the technicolor dreamcoat that is Landmannalaugar, Iceland. This place isn’t just hard to pronounce for those of us not blessed with a Viking tongue (try ‘land-man-na-loi-gur’ and hope for the best); it’s also Iceland’s not-so-secret but still off-the-beaten-path slice of rainbow mountains, steaming hot springs, and landscapes so alien you’ll wonder if you accidentally hitched a ride on a UFO instead of an Icelandic pony.
First things first, if you’re planning on visiting Landmannalaugar, forget the swimsuit. I know, I know, ‘But what about the hot springs?’ you ask. Trust me, what you’ll want is a good pair of hiking boots and a camera with more memory than your high school computer lab. This place is about trekking through rhyolite mountains that look like they’ve been tie-dyed by a group of particularly artistic giants. And the hot springs? They’re your reward for braving the elements like the Nordic god or goddess you surely are – just don’t forget to strip down under one of the provided screens unless you want to give a free show to the local elves (who are notoriously prude).
The journey to Landmannalaugar itself is no cakewalk. Unless your cake walks involve fording rivers, dodging sheep, and convincing your rental 4×4 that yes, it really can make it over that next hill. The F-roads leading here are the ‘F’ is for ‘Fun’ kind of roads – if your idea of fun includes questioning your life choices every few minutes. But as every intrepid explorer-cum-blogger will tell you, the juice is worth the squeeze. Or in Iceland’s case, the view is worth the bruise.
Once you’re there, the alien beauty of the place really hits you. It’s a hiker’s paradise, with trails winding through lava fields, around bright blue lakes formed by glaciers (because of course, Iceland has those too), and up mountainsides where every turn reveals a view more breathtaking than the last. One might be led to believe the whole place was designed by a particularly ambitious Instagram influencer back when the earth was young.
So, pack your thermal undies, a sense of adventure, and maybe a flask of something strong for those chilly nights. Landmannalaugar isn’t just a trip, it’s an experience that will lead you through the most vibrant landscapes Iceland has to offer, challenge you physically and mentally, and ultimately leave you with a profound sense of awe at the natural world. And if you manage to pronounce it correctly by the end of your trip, consider yourself an honorary Icelander. Just don’t expect the locals to be overly impressed – they’ve been pronouncing it since they were toddlers, after all.