- Address: Landmannalaugavegur, Iceland;
- Height: 600 m above sea level.
In the southern part of Iceland , at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level, lies the picturesque valley Landmannaleigar. An unusual panorama of the mountain plateau resembles the landscapes of distant planets. The colorful landscape of rhyolite mountains and the hot springs stretching all over the valley have become a dream of many inveterate tourists. Geothermal locality Landmannaleygar is an original natural reserve.
History of the Landmannaleygar Valley
The territory of the valley is diverse in its tectonic composition. Nearby volcanoes Torfaekudl and Hekla, many worked on the richness of the colors of this area. The last eruption from the "Gate of Hell", namely exactly in folklore is called Hekla, occurred in 2000. On the site with settled volcanic ash, there is still no vegetation. The rhyolite mountains of extraordinary colors surround Landmannaleygar. The sandy areas of the slopes alternate with bright red patches, and because of the hills covered with green moss, the blue-black lava heights rise. Various admixtures of metals and minerals in the settled magma give such a riot of colors. And among all this natural splendor, there are many reservoirs with healing springs. For a long time this natural oasis was called "bathing of men of this land". From all corners of Iceland here came to gain strength, get healthier and breathe clean air. Today, the thermal springs of the valley are known far beyond the country.
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Tourism in the Landmanaleygar Valley
Expressive terrain, unique rhyolite mountains, geothermal springs and mild climate every year attract more and more tourists to this protected area. Icelanders carefully keep their history, therefore, despite the many hiking trails and motor roads, the valley continues to retain its original appearance. Any deviation from the route is punishable by heavy fines, because the track from the protector on the lava or green vegetation will remain for a long time and will spoil the picturesque view of the plateau. Although the valley itself looks friendly, many road signs warn of the need to travel on it on solid SUVs. The small streams that cross each other, crossing the valley, flow in the high water throughout the lowland. At this time, even a four-wheel-drive jeep is not always able to overcome water obstacles. Then tourists leave their cars in the parking lot in the nearest campsite and rush to conquer the peaks on foot. At the end of the day, tired travelers swish at the nearest geothermal spring. The curative properties of lava lakes are such that people come here to treat protracted migraines, acute back pain, depression, internal diseases, arthritis and dermatological problems.
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How to get there?
The Landmannanneigar Valley is located in the southern highlands of the country, about 150 km east of Reykjavik . For a trip to the valley, it is recommended to use the excursion bus or rent a car with good traffic.