Landmannalaugar Interior Highland Route
Rainbow mountains and natural hot springs
The track into Landmannalaugar cuts through Iceland’s painted mountains where volcanic glass crunches under your tires and steam rises from the earth itself. This highland route follows unmarked 4WD tracks across the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, threading between obsidian flows and rhyolite peaks streaked in yellows, reds, and greens that look like someone spilled paint across the landscape. The river crossings at Jökugilskvísl and the approach to Landmannalaugar Hut test your line choice as glacial melt carves new channels each season.
Moderate difficulty requiring high-clearance 4WD with good approach angles for rocky sections and multiple stream crossings. Best tackled June through September when highland roads officially open, though conditions remain variable. No permits required but bring spare tires, recovery gear, and extra fuel as services are nonexistent for 50+ miles. The payoff is soaking in natural hot springs surrounded by some of Iceland’s most alien geology, with dispersed camping allowed throughout the highlands.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Hot Springs, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2300 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Hella, Iceland |
| Land manager | Iceland Nature Conservation Agency |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Land Cruiser handle this without a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD is the minimum — no lift required, but factory skid plates matter here. Lifted rigs have more margin on the river crossings, but a capable stock truck driven carefully gets through fine. Soft-roaders and 2WD vehicles will not make it.
When does the route actually open and close each year?
Typically accessible from late June through early September, depending on snowmelt. The highland F-roads in this area are officially closed by the Icelandic Road Administration outside that window, and attempting them early season risks getting stuck in deep snow or washing out a crossing. Check road.is before you go — conditions change fast.
Do I need a permit to drive the Landmannalaugar route?
No permit is required to drive the route, but there is a camping fee at the Landmannalaugar hut area managed by the Iceland Nature Conservation Agency. Dispersed camping away from the designated area is allowed in most highland zones under Icelandic law, but follow Leave No Trace rules — rangers do patrol.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it sketchy?
The river crossings are the crux — some are glacial-fed, fast-moving, and change depth day to day based on temperature and melt. The Jökulgilskvísl crossing near the approach has caught people off guard with thigh-deep water on a warm afternoon that was knee-deep in the morning. Walk every crossing before you drive it.
How far is the nearest gas station and is 28 miles enough range to worry about fuel?
Hella is the last reliable fuel stop before heading into the highlands — roughly 60–70 miles from the trailhead depending on your approach road. The 28-mile trail itself isn't the concern; it's the total round-trip distance on F-roads from Hella and back that adds up. Carry a jerry can — there is zero fuel in the interior.
Trail track
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