Landmannalaugar Campsite — Fjallabak Nature Reserve

Landmannalaugar is the hub of the Icelandic interior. The campsite sits on the edge of the Laugahraun lava field, with rhyolite mountains in every color of rust, yellow and green behind it. A warm stream runs beside the camp and people soak in it. The Ferðafélag Íslands hut and campground has toilets, drinking water and paid showers, and it fills up fast in July and August when hikers hit the Laugavegur trail. Camping is tent-and-vehicle on open ground, so bring stakes that bite into gravel and expect wind. Fires aren’t part of the deal here. Stay inside the marked camping area, because the Fjallabak reserve is fragile and rangers do patrol.

F208 north from Sigalda is a rough track with several river crossings that change with snowmelt and rain. Check road.is and the Icelandic SafeTravel site before you go. The highland roads usually open sometime in June and close again by September or October. Fees, shower rules and hours change, so verify with Ferðafélag Íslands ahead of time. Cell signal is patchy at best.

Have a dirty day.

Highland basecamp in the rainbow rhyolite hills