About the Mountain

Laugarvatnsfjall is the long, sloping mountain that frames the western side of Lake Laugarvatn, looking down on the village of Laugarvatn in the Bláskógabyggð municipality of South Iceland. It is one of the most accessible and rewarding hikes in the entire Golden Circle area — partly because of the wide views, but mostly because there is a route to suit almost everyone, from families with small children to schoolchildren on outdoor-education days to seasoned ridge-walkers.

The mountain sits in a remarkable geothermal landscape. The village of Laugarvatn — meaning "Bath Lake" — has been one of Iceland's centres of education and bathing culture since 1928, and the lake itself is famously warm in places, with hot springs bubbling up through the shore. The Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths sit right at the lake edge, and a finished hike on Laugarvatnsfjall pairs perfectly with a soak afterwards.

Route Options

Unlike most Icelandic mountains, Laugarvatnsfjall offers several different hiking routes depending on how much time and energy you have:

• The "rim" walk (family route, easiest) — about 500 m from the base of the mountain up to the rim. Short, relatively gentle, and ideal as a family hike. You don't need to summit to enjoy the views.
• The Mountain Ring Trail (fjallahringurinn) — a fully marked 6 km loop, signposted by the Lions Club of Laugardalur. The trail begins at the western end of Laugarvatn village, follows the slopes of Laugarvatnsfjall above the lake, and finishes at the machinery sheds east of the village. It is accessible to most reasonably fit walkers but does have some steeper sections. The route deliberately rises into the mountain at the start so that the views over the lake and the village can be enjoyed throughout.
• The ski-lift ridge — often described locally as the easiest way to gain the ridge. The old ski lift on the south flank of the mountain offers a clean, gradual line up to the higher ground.
• The Póst og sími route — the shortest route up, starting near the old post-and-telephone-office building in the village. Great when time is tight.
• Gullkista from Miðdalur — a popular extension hike to the rocky outcrop called Gullkista ("Gold Chest"), about 3 km from Miðdalur. Worth combining with a Laugarvatnsfjall day if you want more distance.

Snorrahaug

One of the named landmarks on the mountain is Snorrahaug — a viewpoint mound on the slopes west of the village, reached on the marked Lions Club trail. Like many Icelandic place names it carries a story (Snorrahaug means "Snorri's Mound") and makes a natural turn-around or photo stop if you're hiking with kids.

The View

From the slopes of Laugarvatnsfjall the panorama opens dramatically: the long, mirror-smooth surface of Lake Laugarvatn, the wisps of geothermal steam rising from the lake shore, the village school buildings, and across to the great Golden Circle peaks beyond — Hekla on a clear day, the icy bulk of Langjökull to the north, and the mountains around Þingvellir to the west. From higher on the ridge you can pick out neighbouring fells including Búrfell, Bjarnarfell and Lyngdalsheiði.

A Local Hiking Tradition

For students of Menntaskólinn að Laugarvatni (the local secondary school), the climb up Laugarvatnsfjall is a rite of passage — first-year outdoor-education students traditionally hike to the top of the mountain, often experiencing a full Icelandic weather buffet of "sun, wind, calm, hail and rain" in a single afternoon. It says something about the mountain that this is a 2-hour outing for sixteen-year-olds: it's neither trivial nor intimidating, just an honest, satisfying climb.

From Northern Lights Cabin

• Drive time: ~10–15 minutes to Laugarvatn village
• Route: Head north on Þingvallavegur (Route 36) towards Laugarvatn, then continue into the village.
• Mountain ring trail: Drive to the western end of Laugarvatn village. The marked trail (Lions Club) starts there and finishes at the machinery yards on the eastern side.
• Shortest route: Park near the old Póst og sími building in the village — the route from there is the most direct way up.
• Ski lift route: Drive towards the ski lift on the south flank of the mountain — the easiest line onto the ridge.
• Gullkista option: Drive to Miðdalur; the route to the Gullkista outcrop is approximately 3 km from there.

Good to Know

• Wear sturdy walking shoes — the slopes are mostly grass and scree, but with some loose ground higher up.
• Bring layers and a windproof shell. Even on warm days, the ridge is exposed and noticeably colder than the village.
• Be ready for everything — local students famously experience "sun, wind, calm, hail and rain" on a single hike. That's normal Icelandic mountain weather.
• Carry water and snacks. There are no services on the mountain itself.
• Best season is late May through October when the trails are clear of snow and the marked posts on the ring trail are easy to follow.
• Always check vedur.is for the forecast before heading out.
• Reward yourself afterwards at Laugarvatn Fontana — geothermal steam rooms, hot pots, and the famous lake-baked rye bread.
• Combine with a visit to Laugarvatnshellar caves nearby, where Icelandic families lived around 100 years ago.