Fjallabak (Mountain Back) is a 47,000-hectare Nature Reserve in the Highlands of Iceland with a Landmannalaugar geothermal oasis and camping ground. Iceland is filled with scenic nature, but Landmannalaugar is the best of all the attractions in my opinion, and can be visited from mid-June through early September.
How I Booked the Flight to Iceland
Iceland is easy to reach with several low-cost nonstop flights from the US to Reykjavik (KEF).
Are there any daytime outbound flights from the US to Iceland?
Whenever I travel to Iceland, most flights land around 6 AM their time (midnight in the US) and I feel extremely jet lagged and also find early-checking into the hotels difficult. Iceland is only 5-6 hours away from Boston and JFK and I would love to take a daytime outbound flight to prevent jet lag. Iceland Air has non-stop outbound winter flights (late November to early January) originating from Boston & JFK. I typically go late in the winter (Feb/Mar) to chase the northern lights and so far have never booked these daytime flights.
Best Place to stay in Iceland to visit Landmannalaugar
I recommend staying in the town of Hella, which is <2 hours away from Reykjavik airport, and close to all the South Iceland attractions.
We stayed at Hotel Hella, which was reasonably priced (free breakfast) and within a walkable distance of the Hella bus stop, where you can take Trex buses to Landmannalaugar. If you have Hyatt points, there is also Hotel Ranga, which is a popular SLH property in Hella that can be booked for 25-30K points per night.
Can you Drive to Landmannalaugar?
I recommend taking a bus to reach Landmannalaugar, due to the poor driving conditions of the Highland roads and the frequent need to cross flooded areas. There are a few places where the unpaved dirt road is flooded with more than 2 feet of water. Most rental car companies put warning signs on their cars that say “not to drive in the Highlands,” and any car damage incurred during the trip is typically not covered by credit card companies since you are driving on unpaved roads.
When we went to visit Landmannalaugar, we saw a lot of people visiting the area in their personal vehicles. Driving a car will definitely give a lot of flexibility to do different hikes without the need for returning on a set time for the last bus. If you really would like to get a rental car approved for Highland use, I recommend renting a large SUV and making sure to also purchase a SAAP (sand and ash) insurance (https://www.bluecarrental.is/our-cars/). But renting a large SUV will cost a lot more money compared to bus tickets and one should consider all the options before making a selection. For example, renting a large SUV may make sense if 4 or more people are traveling who would like to go every day and do day hikes in Landmannalaugar.
Taking a Bus to Landmannalaugar
Advance booking is highly recommended due to the busy summer tourism. Buses to Landmannalaugar operate from June 17th to September 9th and return trip tickets per person are ~$110. Choose the Hella bus stop from the Trex booking website (https://trex.is/tour/landmannalaugar/). I recommend taking the first bus to Landmannalaugar from Hella and trying to complete at least 2 hikes before returning on the last bus.
How to Pack on a trip to Landmannalaugar?
I recommend packing waterproof (NOT water resistant) hiking clothes/shoes/jackets, snacks, and sandwiches for lunch/early dinner. Iceland’s weather can change very quickly and you should be prepared for all conditions. There is a small truck that serves expensive drinks/food which is not worth it unless you did not have time to pack any food. There are bathrooms that can be used for a fee on the campgrounds.
Landmannalaugar has a natural hot spring located next to the Laugahraun lava field, with 36 to 40°C (97 to 104°F) year-round temperatures. Interested visitors should pack a bathing suit to enjoy the hot spring.
Best Hikes in Landmannalaugar
I recommend doing any of the top hikes listed on alltrails.com (https://www.alltrails.com/iceland/southern/landmannalaugar).
Landmannalaugar Scenery
Landmannalaugar has ethereal views compared to any other place on our planet and pictures rarely reveal the natural beauty of this place. The whole area has unique geological formations with several colors and you will be amazed to explore them during a hike.
Summary
Landmannalaugar is the best natural attraction in Iceland and should be at the top of the list for every traveler. I have encountered several seasoned travelers who missed seeing this place during their repeated trips to Iceland. The trip to Landmannalaugar is expensive due to the remote location, but the views and hikes will be memorable for the rest of your life.