Landmannalaugar, often referred to as the colored mountains, although the Icelandic name translates as the land of baths/springs. And already near these thermal springs are the rhyolite colored mountains! Landmannalaugar is considered one of the most famous and unusual sights in Iceland.
Landmannalaugar is a place that most people fall in love with from the first moment. Landmannalaugar valley and the colored mountains of Iceland is one of the most incredible places not only in Iceland itself but perhaps in the whole world! This place is located 600 meters above sea level, in the middle of the central highlands of Iceland – Highlands.
Landmannalaugar Park is located near the Hecla volcano in the southern part of Iceland and is one of the most popular attractions in the country.
The name Landmannalaugar literally translates as “the bathing place of the men of this land”. And all because there are many natural baths with healing water from thermal springs. Also, some Icelanders call this place “The Pearl of the Mountains”.
It is a stunning place for photographers with an endless variety of geological formations, steaming hot springs and rivers, frozen lava and colorful rhyolite mountains that change colors depending on the light. It’s a remote place among the mountains, accessible only from late June (and sometimes only from July) to late September. During the rest of the year, the roads become impassable for normal transportation.
Geology – how the Landmannalaugar springs and the colored mountains were formed
The famous colored mountains are formed from the volcanic rock rhyolite, which is similar in composition to granite. They contain inclusions of different minerals, which interact with water and oxygen from the air to oxidize and therefore these mountains have a great variety of colors and their shades. And in combination with the colors of the sky, water, snow and ice – you will see the whole spectrum of colors of the rainbow. Many mountains have color bands and shades of red, pink, green, yellow and orange. Two mountains are considered the most popular:
Landmannalaugar is an amazing area not only geologically but also aesthetically. The hot springs of Landmannalaugar are located next to huge lava fields. Basically, these fields of solidified lava were formed here in 1477 after a volcanic eruption.
Landmannalaugar originally became known for its natural geothermal baths. For centuries, it has served as a place for relaxation. Today, it would be an unforgivable mistake not to bring a bathing suit and towel when visiting this place.
The most popular road leading to Landmannalaugar, Sigölduleið, passes stunning natural sites, including Lake Blagilur, located in the crater of an extinct volcano.
Hiking in the colored mountains area
Landmannalagar is part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve in the south of the Icelandic Highlands. The reserve covers an area of approximately fifty thousand hectares. Fjallbak Park was established in the late eighties to protect the fragile northern Highland nature.
The Landmannalaugar area is located at the northern end of the Laugavegur Trail and serves as the starting point for this famous 54 kilometer, four-day hiking trail. It is one of Iceland’s most popular hiking routes. However, the area is also the starting point for many other interesting routes, including the route to Mount Brennisteinsalda – Sulphur Wave, which we have already written about. It’s also worth following the trail to Blanukur Volcano – Blue Peak, from which you can see the glacier-covered mountain peaks on clear days.
If you want to visit the Colored Mountains, but your plans do not include renting a four-wheel drive car, it is possible to come by special buses or as part of an organized tour, the most interesting thing is that the price of a round-trip bus ticket and the price of the tour is almost the same. So you have to choose between a bus or a guided tour to the colored mountains of Landmannalaugar.
From mid-June to mid-September, several companies organize tours to the Landmannalaugar area. But it is quite possible to get here on your own by rented car. The Icelandic Tourist Association has also organized a camping site where you can stay with a tent and a small store.
