Your Guide to Landmannalaugar Hot Springs in Iceland

Reviewed by Francois Denis, Head of Safety and Security at Arctic Adventures and former Highland hiking guide.

The pools are located in the southern Icelandic Highlands and are reachable from June to September, when the F-roads (highland mountain roads) open for the summer. Icelanders have called this spot "the people's pools". A name that goes back to the shepherds and travelers who stopped here to warm up after long crossings.

Arctic Adventures has operated tours in the Icelandic Highlands area since 2012, and this guide covers everything you need to know about bathing in the hot spring at Landmannalaugar. Learn about water temperature, mineral composition, rules, best time to visit, and how the hot spring Landmannalaugar compares with other Icelandic geothermal pools.

The hot springs of Landmannalaugar are a group of natural pools formed where a cold stream crosses a geothermal spring at the base of the Laugahraun lava field. The mixing zone is the bathing area, with the hot side held by the geothermal source and the cold side by the stream running through it.

Heat for the pool comes from the Torfajökull volcanic system beneath Landmannalaugar. Magma deep below heats groundwater filtering down through cracks in the rock, and that water rises back to the surface as a hot spring. The mountains around the pool are made of rhyolite, a volcanic rock whose iron and sulfur deposits streak the slopes orange, yellow, and pink. Right beside the pool, you’ll find Laugahraun lava field, formed in a 1477 eruption of the Brennisteinsalda volcano.

The fuller translation, "pools of the land-men," refers to the farmers of the surrounding districts who used the area for highland sheep gathering. They stopped at the Landmannalaugar bathing place on the way to and from summer pastures. Apart from the wooden boardwalk that crosses the ground on the approach, nothing about the Landmannalaugar hot spring pool has been built or engineered. The floor underfoot is sandy and slightly muddy, and the pool edges are uneven. These are natural hot springs in Iceland in the truest sense, with no concrete, no piping, and no temperature controls.

The Landmannalaugar hot spring temperature holds steady between 36°C and 40°C (96°F to 104°F), close to a warm bath rather than a jacuzzi. Because hot geothermal water surfaces at a single point and the cold stream runs through the rest, temperatures vary across the pool. Move toward the heated source to warm up, or away from it to cool down. Most people find their sweet spot within a minute and settle in.

The water at Landmannalaugar is rich in silica, sulfur, and trace minerals picked up as groundwater filters through volcanic bedrock to the surface.

Two qualities are traditionally associated with the benefits of soaking in Icelandic hot springs: silica content and geothermal warmth. Silica is linked to skin softening, and the heat relaxes tired muscles. After a long day on the highland trails, the muscle relief is the one you'll notice first.

A faint sulfur smell, especially on the warmer side of the pool, is normal. Sulfur is a standard byproduct of geothermal water in volcanic regions, and the levels here are low enough that you stop noticing it once you're in the water. The stronger smell comes from fumaroles (steam vents) you'll pass on the hikes around the pool, many of them on the slopes of Mt. Brennisteinsalda.

Bathing in the Landmannalaugar hot springs is free and open to all visitors during summer. The easiest way to get to Landmannalaugar hot springs is to park at the main car park, walk to the campsite, and follow the wooden boardwalk for about 5 minutes to the pool.

From the car park, walk toward the Landmannalaugar campsite. P1 is usually the safer choice for smaller vehicles, while P2 is closer to the campsite but requires crossing two rivers by car.

Before entering the pool, use the changing facilities and shower (this is mandatory). The main bathrooms and showers are next to the Landmannalaugar hut. Near the pool, there is also a smaller open-air shelter with hooks for towels and a bench, but anything left there can get wet if it rains.

After changing, follow the wooden boardwalk to the hot spring. Then enter slowly using the wooden stairs. Be careful as the steps can be slippery, and the pool floor is uneven, with sandy, soft, and rocky spots. Keep each soak to around 15 to 20 minutes. Drink water, take breaks, and step out to cool down between sessions.

Bring your own swimsuit, towel, and flip-flops, as nothing is rented on site. The wooden boardwalk leads from the campsite area to the pool and keeps your feet out of the cold mud. Check Landmannalaugar parking and access details to know where to leave your car before walking in.

The Landmannalaugar bathing pool follows the same rules as every public bathing place in Iceland, with one addition for the campsite's proximity:

• Swimsuits are required: Nude bathing isn't practiced here. Despite the remote setting, Icelandic bathing etiquette requires swimwear at all public and natural bathing places.
• Shower thoroughly before entering: This is standard procedure in Iceland and helps keep the water clean.
• No soap, shampoo, or other cosmetics in the pool: The water drains directly into the surrounding ecosystem. Use products in the shower, rinse, then get in.
• No glass containers: A broken bottle in a sandy-bottom pool is a serious injury risk.
• Keep your soaking sessions short: Repeated 15- to 20-minute soaks with cool-down breaks are the safest option. Prolonged exposure to 40°C water may cause dehydration and lightheadedness.
• Respect quiet hours: The pool is meters from a summer campsite, and late-night voices carry across the valley. Read more about camping in Iceland.
• Pack out your trash: There are bins at the campsite, but none at the pool, and the leave-no-trace rule applies everywhere in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve.

The best time to visit the Landmannalaugar hot springs is July or August for the longest daylight, or late June and September for the fewest crowds. Landmannalaugar is open the same months as the F-roads, from June to September, and the season breaks into three stretches:

• June has the fewest visitors. The air is cooler, but the days are often sunny. Snow can still streak the surrounding peaks.
• July and August are the warmest and the busiest. The sun stays up almost all night, so a 10:00 PM soak is still in bright golden light.
• September quiets down. The moss and plants turn red and gold, and the days are less sunny but still quite warm. It’s an excellent time for travelers wanting solitude.

The least crowded hours on any given day fall outside the midday window. Early mornings before the buses arrive, and late afternoons after they leave, are the best shot at a near-empty pool.

Winter access to Landmannalaugar isn’t possible by any form of transport, as the F-roads are closed.

Landmannalaugar is one of the most popular geothermal springs in Iceland. It’s usually mentioned alongside Reykjadalur in the south, Hveravellir on the Kjölur route, and the country's two biggest built spas. Here's how these five hot springs in Iceland compare on location, price, and what each is best for.

Three things make Landmannalaugar different from the rest of the list:

• The drive is the most demanding. The Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon are approximately 20 minutes from Reykjavík on paved roads. Reykjadalur is about an hour away. Hveravellir is roughly halfway between Reykjavík and Akureyri on the Kjölur route. Landmannalaugar is four hours of highland driving from the capital. Access is summer-only, and you need a 4WD to get there.
• It's the only one on the Laugavegur Trail. A soak in the pool is how most hikers start or finish the 55 km (34 mi) trek to Þórsmörk valley. Laugavegur translates as "the hot springs route."
• It's the only one directly next to a campsite. You can pitch a tent, eat, soak, and sleep within a few hundred meters.

If you want spa amenities like food, saunas, a bar, or a hairdryer, Landmannalaugar might not be the best pick. Blue Lagoon tours closer to Reykjavík serve that purpose. If you want a free, wild, post-hike soak under rhyolite peaks at the edge of a 1477 lava field, Landmannalaugar is one of the strongest options. Explore our natural hot springs tours if you want a guide to handle the driving.

There are no shops within easy driving distance of Landmannalaugar, so pack everything in Reykjavík before you set off.

• Swimsuit (mandatory, nothing is rented on site)
• Quick-dry towel (regular towels stay damp for hours in cool highland air)
• Flip-flops or sandals (for the walk between the changing room and the pool)
• Waterproof bag for wet swimwear after your soak
• Water bottle (to keep yourself hydrated during geothermal bathing)
• Warm clothes for after bathing (the temperature drop on exit is significant, even in July)

Wondering what else you might need in Iceland? Our complete Iceland packing list covers everything, from clothes to useful gadgets.

You can reach Landmannalaugar three ways in summer: self-driving, taking a scheduled bus, or going on a guided tour. All three are available from June to September.

Self-drive: The F208 highland road is the main route for getting to Landmannalaugar from the north or south. The F225 (Dómadalsleið) is an alternative approach from the west. All F-roads require a 4WD, and the final approach involves two river crossings between the P1 and P2 parking areas. Drivers in smaller 4WDs can park at P1 before the river and cross to the campsite on a pedestrian footbridge.

Highland bus from Reykjavík: Daily buses operated by tour companies run between Reykjavík and the campsite, with around four hours on the ground before the return in the afternoon. The schedule limits your time at the pool but takes the F-road driving off your plate. Our bus from Landmannalaugar to Reykjavik handles the return trip.

Guided tour: Full transport and logistics from Reykjavík pickup, which is what most international travelers choose when they don't want the stress of getting to and across F-roads themselves.

For driving routes, river crossing details, and parking booking information, see our full Landmannalaugar travel guide.

The best way to enjoy the Landmannalaugar hot springs is after a hike. The pool is within walking distance of over ten marked trails. Three loops worth knowing:

• Laugahraun Loop (1.5 to 2 hours, easy). Winds through the lava field from the 1477 Brennisteinsalda eruption and ends just steps from the pool. The most popular short walk in the area.
• Brennisteinsalda (3 to 4 hours, moderate). Climbs the sulfur-streaked rhyolite peak just south of the campsite. The summit view takes in the lava field, the surrounding rhyolite ridges, and the bathing area below.
• Brennisteinsalda–Bláhnúkur Loop (5 to 7 hours, challenging). The standout day hike from the campsite for anyone with the legs for it.

Note: Before you head into the Highlands, make sure that you're in the right hiking boots for this rough terrain.

A guided tour is the simplest way to reach the Landmannalaugar hot springs. F-road driving might be challenging for inexperienced drivers, and scheduled buses lock you into a fixed return.

Every Arctic Adventures highland tour is led by a certified guide with rescue training. Group sizes are small, up to 19 people. Logistics are handled end to end: pickup from Reykjavík, lunch stops, river crossings, and parking.

Explore tours that include time at the pool:

• Landmannalaugar Hiking Day Tour: A full-day guided trip with an 8 to 10 km hike across the rhyolite ridges and time in the hot springs at the end. The best option for travelers who want a real day in the area without committing to multi-day camping.
• Landmannalaugar Safari Super Jeep Tour: Less hiking, more sightseeing across the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, with a stop at the hot springs included. The pick for travelers who want to see the area without a long walk.
• Hidden Highlands: 3-Day Landmannalaugar Trek: Three days in the Highlands with multiple soak opportunities and routes that take in Emerald Ridge and Háifoss waterfall.

The Landmannalaugar hot springs stay between 36°C and 40°C (96°F to 104°F) year-round, similar to a warm bath. The water is heated by geothermal energy, so winter air temperatures don't cool it. Hot geothermal water surfaces at a single point, and a cold stream runs through the rest of the pool, so the temperature shifts from spot to spot. Move closer to the geothermal source to warm up, or toward the stream to cool down.

Drivers pay a parking and facility service fee at the campsite, starting at 1,500 ISK (~$11) for a standard car of up to 5 seats, or 2,450 ISK (~$17) for a 6–9-seat vehicle. Parking reservations are required for the 2026 season between June 20 and September 14, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The fee covers the use of the on-site toilets and picnic facilities in summer. Showers cost an extra 1,100 ISK (~$9) per use. Guided tours and bus transfers from Reykjavík charge separately. Prices as of May 2026. Sources: parka.is, Ferðafélag Íslands.

You can reach the Landmannalaugar hot springs in summer by driving yourself, booking a scheduled bus from Reykjavík, or on a guided tour. The drive from Reykjavík requires a 4WD and takes around 4 hours each way, and involves two river crossings on the final approach, which is why most travelers choose a tour or bus over self-driving. The F-roads are open from June to September, and access isn't possible outside that window on your own.

You can't drive to Landmannalaugar without a 4WD. The F-roads leading to the area require high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles, and most rental insurance policies exclude 2WD cars from F-roads entirely. You can still reach the hot springs without driving. Scheduled summer buses operated by tour companies run daily from Reykjavík between June and September. You can also go with guided tours that use modified 4WD vehicles built for the route.

No, swimsuits are required at the Landmannalaugar hot springs. Despite the remote setting, Icelandic bathing etiquette calls for swimwear at every public pool and natural bathing place.

Yes, showering before entering is expected at the Landmannalaugar hot springs, as at every Icelandic bathing pool. Most visitors arrive straight from a highland hike, so the pre-shower step at the changing house is what keeps trail dust, sunscreen, and insect repellent out of the pool.

Landmannalaugar is a geothermal area in Iceland's southern Highlands known for its hot springs and rhyolite mountains. Laugavegur is a 55 km (34 mi) multi-day hiking trail that starts at Landmannalaugar and ends in Þórsmörk valley. The trail is named after the hot springs at its starting point: "Laugavegur" translates roughly as "the hot springs route."

No, the water stays warm in winter, but you can't access the pool by any means, because F-roads are closed. The on-site changing rooms and showers are closed, too.