Landmannalaugar Hike and the Valley of Tears in a 4x4 Super

The Essential Landmannalaugar
Get ready for an unforgettable Super Jeep adventure deep into Iceland’s rugged highlands. Landmannalaugar, nestled in the heart of Fjallabak Nature Reserve, is known for its colorful rhyolite mountains, steaming geothermal pools, black lava fields, and dramatic volcanic formations.

Driving in a 4×4 vehicle allows us to take the scenic backroads and make a few more spontaneous stops along the way — perfect for photography, stretching your legs, or simply soaking in the incredible landscape. This area was shaped by centuries of volcanic activity, and the striking contrast between smooth black obsidian and vividly colored mountains is a true geological wonder.

One highlight is the Laugahraun lava field, formed in 1477, where shiny obsidian rocks cover the ground — known in legend (and Game of Thrones) as “Dragon Glass.” The rhyolite mountains owe their vibrant hues to minerals like sulfur and iron, and one of the best examples is Brennisteinsalda — “The Sulphur Wave.”

We’ll spend over three hours in Landmannalaugar, with the option to join a guided 2-hour hike to explore the lava fields and colorful slopes. Or, if you prefer, you can take a shorter walk or unwind in the natural geothermal spring surrounded by wild beauty. Just don’t forget your swimsuit and towel.

With its raw landscapes, peaceful remoteness, and thrilling drive, this tour offers a deeper dive into the highlands — one you won’t soon forget.

Itinerary
Frostastaðavatn - Lakel
Frostastaðavatn is a stunning highland lake near Landmannalaugar, surrounded by colorful rhyolite mountains and ancient lava fields. Its vivid blue waters and dramatic volcanic backdrop make it a favorite stop for photographers and nature lovers exploring the Icelandic Highlands.

Landmannalaugar - Hike and natural pool
Here we do a little hike and bathe in a natural hot spring.
Welcome to Landmannalaugar in Iceland. We will stop here for a few hours. The guide will offer you a hike up to Brennisteinsalda. During the hike your are surrounded by nature so peculiar that you would hardly be surprised if you saw an elf running by. The colorful rhyolite mountains and some small hot springs scattered all over close to Brennisteinsalda with a mystical steam rising up from them. When returning to the huts, after about two hours of hiking, there still is enough time to take a bath in the natural pool.

Hnausapollur - Crater
Hnausapollur, also known as Bláhylur, is a striking crater lake in the Landmannaafréttur area. Formed by a volcanic eruption in 871 AD, the deep blue water set against red crater walls creates a surreal and unforgettable scene in the Icelandic Highlands.

Sigöldugljúfur - The Valley of Tears
The magical Sigöldugljúfur canyon has become one of the main instagram spots in Iceland. It is quite an extraordinary natural wonder with its many small spring-fed streams, small ponds, crystal clear waterfalls, colorful vegetation, and fascinating cliffs.

Sigöldufoss - Waterfall
Sigöldufoss is a stunning waterfall tucked away in the Highlands of Iceland. It cascades from a man-made channel in the Sigölduvirkjun dam, creating a picturesque contrast between raw nature and human engineering. Surrounded by rugged lava fields and vibrant green moss in summer, this hidden gem is a perfect stop for photography and a peaceful moment in nature.

Hjálparfoss - Help's fall
Hjálparfoss is a beautiful, two stepped waterfall that cascades down into a large plunge pool that is surrounded by very unique basalt rock formations.

The surrounding area is called Hjálp or “help” because when people had to travel from the north to the south over the highlands of Iceland they had to travel through the harsh and desolated Sprengisandur route. It was usually very hard to find a place in this desert route to feed the horses and when arriving to the the lush area near Hjálparfoss people thought of it as a help, because finally there was grass for the horses to bite after this long journey.