Travel Guide to Landmannalaugar by Icerental4x4

This is the ultimate travel guide to Landmannalaugar. Here we will go over the roads and conditions that is good to know before driving the Icelandic highlands.

Landmannalaugar is one of the most popular places to visit in the highlands of Iceland. It is only allowed to drive to Landmannalaugar in a Iceland 4x4 car. The roads to Landmannalaugar are only open during the summertime but are closed over the winter due to snow and heavy conditions. Estimate opening dates are as follows: 

Fjallabaksleið Nyðri – F208 Sigalda – Landmannalaugar  Laugar – Eldgjá  Eldgjá – Skaftártunga	Earliest opening period 09.06  19.06 30.06	Lates opening period 26.06 17.07 26.06
Fjallabaksleið syðri – F210 Keldur – Hvanngil  Hvannagil – Skaftártunga	Earliest opening period 30.06 30.06	Lates opening period 17.07 23.07
Landmannaleið (Dómad.) – F225	Earliest opening period 18.06	Lates opening period 03.07

It tells us that they estimate that you can go into Landmannalaugar from the 9th of June and, at the latest, in early July. It depends on the weather conditions when the roads and landscape will be ready to be driven and explored. On average, they open in late June, but it can never be guaranteed as the Icelandic weather conditions are unpredictable. 

What are Landmannalaugar ?

Landmannalaugar is in the highlands of Iceland, located in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. It is known for natural geothermal hot springs and the breathtaking landscape that surrounds you with mountains and lava fields. It is trendy to visit for hiking; one of the most popular hikes in Iceland, the Laugavegur, can either be started or finished in Landmannalaugar. Laugavegur hiking is a 53 km walk from the geothermal springs in Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk nature reserve.

It is also possible to camp in Landmannalaugar, which has toilets, showers, and cooking equipment. It is also possible to rent a sleeping area in Landmannalaugar to stay overnight. Going to Landmannalaugar can also be a full-day trip with a 4x4 rental vehicle. It is only possible to travel to Landmannalaugar in a 4x4 vehicle. 

It takes about 3 hours to drive to Landmannalaugar from Reykjavík. Still, we recommend making some stops while going towards Landmannalaugar as the landscape is majestic, and it is hard to move past without stopping and enjoying some of its views. 

How to get there?

There are many ways to go to Landmannalaugar. Some roads may include rivers that need to be crossed, but there is also one way to go without crossing over any rivers.

• The best way to travel from Landmannalaugar to the base camp is to drive from Road nr1 to Road 26 (or 30 and then 32) and turn right down to Road F208. A gas station near the beginning of F208 on Road 26 is called the Highland Center Hrauneyjar. Road F208 from road 26 down to the base camp has no rivers to cross, but the ride can get bumpy on the gravel roads. We always recommend going both in and out of Landmannalaugar using this route to avoid rivers. The landscape while driving F208 from 26 to base camp is genuinely breathtaking.
• You can also enter from Road 26 to Road F225, called Landmannaleið. The road leads to road F208, where you will follow the signs and take F224 to base camp. Driving F225, you will find a few rivers to cross; one can be deep. If it has been raining on previous days before you travel to Landmannalaugar, we recommend taking F208 and not F225.
• It is also possible to enter Landmannalaugar from the south close to Vík from road one. You turn up on F208, and it will end by the base camp. It has always been a famous road to take to Landmannalaugar, but it must be driven carefully as up to 18 small and large rivers must be crossed. When going from South to F208, the first river is the biggest and can be very deep. If you are travelling at the end of the summer, we do not recommend going this way. We want to point out that we have lost vehicles on this route (From Vík, F208 to Landmannalaugar), so the risk must be considered.
• The last way to enter Landmannalaugar is to go on road F210, which leads to F208 on the south. While driving F210, you can see amazing views from Hekla, a stratovolcano south of Iceland. This route also has rivers that must be crossed while driving, so we recommend taking F225 or F208 from the north instead.

The roads going into Landmannalaugar are only open during the summertime. The highland roads are not paved, and the road conditions can quickly change due to weather, so we recommend driving a 4x4 rental car.

Iceland has no insurance to cover water damages, so crossing rivers is the driver's responsibility. 

What car is best to rent to go to Landmannalaugar?

When choosing your rental vehicle, you must consider where you would like to travel and what roads to explore. For example, when driving to Landmannalaugar, you must have a 4x4 vehicle, but it is often tricky to choose what 4x4 vehicle to rent in Iceland. 

We at Icerental4x4 specialize in 4x4 vehicles, providing a wide range of cars of all sizes and ages so all groups can find their fit. 

Dacia Duster – Dacia Duster has been one of Iceland's most popular rental vehicles in the past years. It has a 4x4, where you can lock the differential if necessary. It is suitable for four people with luggage. It has good ground clearance and is very fuel-efficient for a 4x4 vehicle.

Subaru XV - The XV is known for its all-wheel-drive system, spacious interior, and off-road capabilities. It is also equipped with Subaru's EyeSight driver assistance technology, which includes features such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. Overall, the Subaru XV is a versatile and reliable vehicle well-suited for city driving and outdoor adventures.

Our Camping Cars  – We have a wide range of 4x4 Camper vehicles available during the summertime, perfect for travelling to Landmannalaugar. All from Suzuki Jimny, Dacia Duster, Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Dodge Durango with XXL Roof tent for 3-4 people. You can read more about our campers and our camping equipment.

When is the best time to visit Landmannalaugar?

It is best to visit Landmannalaugar during the summertime to enjoy the beautiful colours and the flourishing landscape. At the same time, it is the only time it is possible to do a self-drive into Landmannalaugar on a 4x4 rental car from Icerental4x4. 

During the summertime, it is also possible to do all kinds of hiking, short and long, to enjoy and truly feel the untouched Icelandic nature. Landmannalauger also has hot springs that we recommend taking a dip into and enjoying the unique natural bath in Iceland.

Exploring Landmannalaugar during the wintertime is possible, but only on specialized Super Jeeps. Super Jeep companies offer tours into Landmannalaugar in winter, where you can see the hot springs and Northern Lights. The mountains are covered by snow, so it is a different experience. We want to point out that it is forbidden to rely on a rental car vehicle in the winter.

Camping in Landmannalaugar

When going to Landmannalaugar, you can camp in the highlands. There is a base camp in the middle of Landmannalaugar, with a camping space and an entire facility offered by The Icelandic Touring Association. There are toilets, showers, cooking utilities, and everything you need to camp, whether staying for one night or many. You are not allowed to camp anywhere, but there are camping areas where you can park your camper car. You can read all about how to dress for Iceland.  

We have a wide range of 4x4 camping cars that are perfect for the full camping experience while travelling to Landmannalaugar. We also have various rental camping equipment, such as camping tables and chairs, sleeping bags, kitchen boxes, wifi, and more. 

Service fees in Landmannalaugar

• Showers cost 500 ISK for all visitors.
• Landmannalaugar hut is 9000 ISK per person ( for one night )
• Landmannalaugar camping is 2000 ISK per person ( for one night )
• Prices can be changed yearly.

When Travelling in Landmannalaugar

The nature of Landmannalaugar is very delicate and needs to be shown with full respect. Furthermore, driving off-road is illegal in Iceland and can lead to heavy fines.  

It is essential to avoid walking outside the hiking paths set up, and please do not step on the moss. The moss is very vulnerable and can take many years to heal if damaged.

If you plan to hike in Landmannalaugar, it is essential to have a GPS device. It is also crucial to have proper clothes for hiking as we can never know what type of weather we will get. We recommend visiting SafeTravel to get more tips about travelling to Iceland.

Parking in Landmannalaugar

Starting in 2024, a parking fee must be paid while parking in Landmannalaugar. Payments can be made through the UST website or the Parka app. If you plan to park your rental car between 9 AM and 4 PM between June 20th and September 14th, you must reserve parking before you arrive. It is important to remember that during the high season in July and August of 2024, the parking lot was fully booked. So we recommend booking your spot in advance to ensure a smooth experience while exploring Landmannalaugar. 

How do I pay for parking in Landmannalaugar?

You must pay through this webpage or by using the Parka App. When you enter and exit the parking lot, there are cameras that record the driving license. A parking fine will be sent to your car rental company if you enter or exit without leaving. Unfortunately, there are no payment machines available to pay on the spot. However, if you arrive outside the general opening hours of 9 AM and 4 PM, you will find clear instructions on how to pay in the parking lot. 

We recommend implementing the Parka App on your phone while you explore Iceland, as it will offer an easy way to park around Iceland, including Landmannalaugar.