Landmannalaugar Hike and Hot Springs from Reykjavik & Hella

Landmannalaugar is the sort of place that makes Iceland feel like another planet: striped rhyolite mountains, black lava, obsidian, steaming ground, and open Highland silence. This 13-hour trip gives you a practical way to reach that remote setting without renting a four-wheel-drive vehicle or planning the Highland roads yourself.

I like the small-group feel and the chance to combine a guided walk with a soak in natural hot springs. Guides such as Carmen and Nacho have been singled out for warm service, humor, and strong knowledge of Iceland and mountain conditions. The catch is the long day and the short time on site. Some people have found the walking portion less ambitious than expected, especially when the group moves at different speeds.

Quick reasons to consider this Highland day

• Colorful rhyolite mountains: Landmannalaugar’s unusual red, orange, yellow, and green-toned rock gives the area a look unlike Iceland’s better-known waterfalls and black beaches.
• A roughly five-hour activity window: The scheduled hiking period runs from 11:10 AM to 3:00 PM, though the actual walking distance can depend on the group.
• A manageable orange route: One reported outing covered about five kilometers, with roughly half of it uphill, making this a good option for people who want scenery without a severe mountain trek.
• Natural hot springs after the walk: You have about 30 minutes of free time for a bath, though bathroom, shower, and hot spring charges are not included in the tour price.
• Very early start: Reykjavik pickup begins around 6:30 AM, with departure at 7:00 AM. From Hella, pickup is around 8:30 to 8:40 AM.
• English and Spanish guiding: The tour is offered in both languages, but you should confirm that your preferred language will receive full explanations on the day.

Why Landmannalaugar feels different from the rest of Iceland

Iceland has plenty of dramatic scenery, but Landmannalaugar has a special visual trick. Its mountains are made largely of rhyolite, a volcanic rock that can appear pink, orange, yellow, green, and gray depending on the light. Dark lava flows cut through those softer colors, while obsidian formations add patches of black glassy rock.

The setting is part of the Fjallabak area of the Southern Highlands, far from the main ring-road sights. That remoteness is a big part of the appeal. You are not simply stopping at a viewpoint beside a paved road. You are riding into a place where weather, roads, rivers, and daylight shape the whole visit.

Your guide points out geothermal activity, rock formations, plant life, and the way the terrain changes underfoot. The natural setting is the main event, so this trip works best for you if you enjoy looking closely at rocks, colors, and broad views rather than checking off a long list of separate sights.

The early Reykjavik pickup and the long ride south

Pickup in Reykjavik begins at about 6:30 AM, with the coach leaving at 7:00 AM. Meeting points include Bus Stop 2 at Tjörnin, Bus Stop 14 on Skúlagata, Hallgrimskirkja, the Highland Bus Stop, Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg, and the Reykjavik Campsite.

This is not a casual morning departure. You need to be standing at your selected stop on time, ready for a long day. The exact pickup order can affect how much time you spend in the vehicle, but the trip includes about an hour and a half of travel before the Hella section and another roughly two hours and 20 minutes after that.

The coach has Wi-Fi, which helps during the long transfers, though you should not treat the ride as a substitute for bringing entertainment or a book. Food and drinks are not included. Pack your lunch before departure, since the Hella stop is useful but brief.

If you are staying in Hella or nearby, this trip becomes more attractive. Pickup takes place at the Olís petrol station between about 8:30 and 8:40 AM, with departure at 8:45 AM. You save the very early Reykjavik pickup and cut down the total time in the vehicle.

Hella at 8:30 AM: a useful supply stop

The Hella stop is short, but it matters. You can use the facilities, buy coffee, and pick up food or drinks before the coach heads farther into the Highlands. This is your last clearly scheduled chance to make those purchases, so use it well.

I would arrive with lunch and water already packed. The tour information specifically warns you to carry enough of both for the hike. Buying something at Hella is a backup, not a reason to skip breakfast or assume you will find a full meal later.

After Hella, the scenery becomes more remote and the ride itself becomes part of the experience. The long transfer is not wasted time if you enjoy watching Iceland change outside the window, but it does reduce the proportion of the day spent walking.

Arriving at Landmannalaugar around 11:00 AM

The planned arrival at the Landmannalaugar base camp is around 11:00 AM. After a short setup period, the guided hike begins at about 11:10 AM.

The base camp is the practical center of the visit. It is where you begin the walk, return after the route, and later find time for the hot springs or a drink. You should pay close attention to the guide’s return instructions. Highland conditions can change quickly, and the coach leaves on schedule at about 4:00 PM.

The first minutes on foot give you a clear sense of why this place is worth the long ride. The ground may shift from lava to gravel, rock, and uneven trail. You might cross small streams, so waterproof footwear is useful even if the day begins dry.

The guided walk: colorful rock, lava, and an uneven pace

The scheduled hiking period runs from 11:10 AM until 3:00 PM, described as an approximately five-hour round trip. In practice, the length of the walk can vary with the group’s pace and the chosen route.

One route described from the tour was the orange route, about five kilometers in total, with around half of it uphill. That is a useful guide for expectations: this is an active outing, but it is not presented as an extreme expedition. The climb may feel easy for regular hikers and more demanding if you rarely walk on uneven ground.

The important point is that easy and accessible does not mean flat or effortless. You should expect uneven trails, possible stream crossings, and weather that can change the feel of the walk. Proper layers and waterproof clothing matter more here than fashionable sightseeing clothes.

Group pace is the biggest variable. If everyone walks at a similar speed, you may cover more ground and see more of the area. If the group includes a wide mix of fitness levels, the route may be shortened or the stops may be longer. That arrangement is fair from a safety point of view, but it can disappoint you if you expect five full hours of continuous hiking.

Your guide adds value by explaining what you are seeing instead of simply leading you from one point to another. Carmen has been praised for creating a relaxed atmosphere and making explanations about the scenery, plants, and animals entertaining. Nacho has been described as especially enthusiastic about Iceland, mountains, and cold-weather conditions. Guide quality can vary by departure, but the tour is strongest when the leader provides clear information in the language promised.

The 3:00 PM free period and the hot springs

After the guided walk, you have free time from about 3:00 to 3:50 PM. The main choice is simple: soak, buy a drink, or keep taking in the views.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. The hot springs are the natural kind, not a polished spa facility, so you should expect a basic outdoor experience. The water is a welcome way to rest tired legs, but half an hour is not a long bathing session once you have changed and found a place to sit.

The cost of the hot springs needs a little care. The tour details say entry fees for hot springs, bathrooms, and showers are not included, while one recent account says the springs themselves were free. Treat the bath as an optional extra and bring some money in case facilities charge a fee. Do not expect the tour price to cover every service at the base camp.

The hot spring stop is also a reason to pack dry clothes. After walking through wind, rain, or stream crossings, changing into a warm layer will make the ride back much more comfortable.

The return journey: beautiful but demanding

The coach is scheduled to leave Landmannalaugar around 4:00 PM, reaching Hella at about 6:25 PM. There is another short stop for the toilet and optional food purchases, followed by the return to Reykjavik at around 6:40 PM. Arrival in Reykjavik is estimated at about 8:00 PM.

That timing makes this a true full-day commitment. You leave early, spend several hours on the road, walk for part of the day, and return after dinner time. The long ride is the main price you pay for reaching the Highlands in one day.

For me, the journey is worth it if Landmannalaugar is high on your Iceland list and you do not plan to spend several nights in the interior. It is less appealing if you want a relaxed day with many stops or if you dislike long coach transfers.

Is $190 a fair price?

At $190 per person, this is not a cheap excursion. You are paying for transport to a remote Highland destination, a certified guide, a guided hike, English or Spanish service, Wi-Fi, and pickup and drop-off at selected points in Reykjavik or Hella.

The value improves if you do not have a suitable vehicle or do not want to handle Highland driving. Reaching Landmannalaugar independently requires more planning than a normal day trip, and the road conditions make transport an important part of the cost.

The value is weaker if you judge the tour only by walking time. Some people found the actual hike too short for the price, especially when the group’s mixed pace limited the route. You should book this for access to Landmannalaugar as a whole, not for a guaranteed long-distance hike.

A current rating of 4.7 from 109 ratings suggests strong overall satisfaction, but the lower scores point to a real issue: expectations. You may leave happy if you want a scenic introduction, a safe guided route, and a hot spring. You may feel shortchanged if you arrive expecting a serious five-hour trek through every corner of the area.

What to pack for the Highlands

Pack as if the day could turn wet and windy, even if the forecast looks friendly.

• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Warm layers that you can add or remove
• Sturdy walking shoes with good grip
• Lunch and enough water
• Swimsuit and towel
• Dry socks and a spare warm layer
• Small cash or payment method for possible facility fees
• Phone or camera with enough battery for a long day

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also think honestly about uneven ground, uphill walking, and stream crossings before booking.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This outing suits you if you want to see the Icelandic Highlands without arranging a multi-day trip. It is especially useful for first-time visitors with limited time, people based in Reykjavik or Hella, and hikers who prefer a guided route rather than navigating on their own.

It also works well if you want variety. The day gives you a long scenic transfer, a guided walk through unusual volcanic terrain, and an optional hot spring. That mix is more appealing than spending five hours on a single trail.

You may want another option if your top priority is distance. Experienced hikers could find the route too short, particularly if the group moves slowly. You might also prefer a more focused hiking tour if you want several hours of uninterrupted walking rather than a full day split between road time and a short visit.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a manageable first look at Landmannalaugar and value having transport, route guidance, and a certified guide organized for you. Bring food, water, waterproof clothing, a swimsuit, and realistic expectations about the walking time.

Skip it if you need a long, hard hike or dislike spending several hours on a coach. For most people, the decision comes down to one question: is reaching the colorful Highland scenery more important than maximizing time on the trail? If yes, this is a practical and memorable way to do it.

FAQ

How long is the Landmannalaugar tour?

The tour lasts about 13 hours. Reykjavik pickup begins around 6:30 AM, departure is at 7:00 AM, and the estimated return to Reykjavik is around 8:00 PM.

Where can I join the tour in Reykjavik?

Pickup is available at selected meeting points, including Bus Stop 2 at Tjörnin, Bus Stop 14 on Skúlagata, Hallgrimskirkja, the Highland Bus Stop, Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg, and the Reykjavik Campsite.

Can I join the tour from Hella?

Yes. Pickup takes place at the Olís petrol station in Hella between about 8:30 and 8:40 AM, with departure scheduled for 8:45 AM.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You should bring lunch and enough water for the hike, with a short opportunity to buy supplies at Hella.

Do I need hiking experience?

The outing is described as accessible trekking, but the trails can be uneven and may include stream crossings. One reported route was about five kilometers, with around half of it uphill.

Can I use the hot springs?

Yes, there is free time after the hike for an optional bath. Bring a swimsuit and towel. Fees for hot springs, bathrooms, and showers are not included, so possible charges should be expected.

What languages are available?

The tour is guided in English and Spanish. The guide is certified, and Wi-Fi is available on board.