Landmannalaugar And Þórsmörk Overview

Wedged between two of southern Iceland’s glaciers, Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk are gateways to the diverse landscapes of the country, from jagged lava fields and mammoth volcanic craters to desert and pristine forests. The renowned four-day, 54km trek between the two regions is perhaps the best hiking route in the country, though it poses a number of challenges, among them variable weather conditions (trails open from mid-June to Aug.). More manageable hikes include a 2hr. loop through Landmannalaugar’s multicolored volcanoes and bubbling hot springs, and the walk from Þórsmörk’s glacial valley to the peak of Valahnjukur, which overlooks rivers and ash fields. Ferdafélag Íslands (Iceland Touring Association) offers guided hikes and general info on camping (☎568 2533; www.fi.is). Footsore travelers can soak away their aches and pains in Landmannalaugar’s soothing thermal brook. Landmannalaugar has a campsite run by Ferðafélag Íslands. (Reserve online at www.fi.is/en. Open July-Sept. Camping 800ISK; mountain huts 2800ISK.) Reykjavik Excursions runs a bus that allows you to travel to either Þórsmörk or Landmannalaugar, hike to the other, and then return to Reykjavik. (www.re.is/home/thorsmork/laugavegur.) Buses run from the BSÍ terminal in Reykjavík to Landmannalaugar (4hr., from mid-June to mid-Sept. 2 per day, round-trip 10,000ISK) and Þorsmork (3hr., from June to mid-Sept. 1 per day, round-trip 6000ISK).