Why we send guests here

Laugarvatnsfjall is the long, sloping mountain on the western side of Lake Laugarvatn, looking down on the village of the same name. We recommend it more than almost any other hike on this list, and the reason is simple: there's a version of it for everyone. Travelling with small kids or just want a gentle stretch? Take the short rim walk. Feeling fitter and want a proper loop? The marked ring trail is right there. You choose how much mountain you're in the mood for, and the views are generous either way.

The other thing we love is what's waiting at the bottom. Laugarvatn means "Bath Lake", and it earns the name — the water is warm in places where hot springs seep up through the shore. The Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths sit right at the lake edge, so we'll usually tell guests to pack their swimwear and finish the hike with a long soak. It turns a couple of hours on the hill into a perfect half-day out from the cabin.

Picking your route

This is where Laugarvatnsfjall is unusual, and why we like sending different guests up it different ways. There are several routes depending on how much time and energy you've got — here's how we'd describe them:

• 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.

A good turn-around point

If you're hiking with children or just want a shorter outing, we'd aim for Snorrahaug — a little viewpoint mound on the slopes west of the village, reached on the marked Lions Club trail. The name means "Snorri's Mound", and it makes a natural place to stop for photos, hand out the snacks, and turn back without anyone feeling short-changed on the view.

What you'll see

Even from low on the slopes the view earns its keep: the mirror-smooth surface of Lake Laugarvatn, wisps of geothermal steam drifting off the shore, the village laid out below, and the big Golden Circle peaks beyond — Hekla on a clear day, the icy bulk of Langjökull to the north, and the Þingvellir mountains to the west. Push a little higher up the ridge and you can pick out neighbouring fells, including Búrfell, Bjarnarfell and Lyngdalsheiði. If Búrfell's on your list too, this is the spot to scout it from first.

How hard is it, really?

Honest answer: not very, but not nothing. A full summit walk is roughly two hours, and the climb is steady rather than steep — the sort of thing a reasonably fit family can do together in an afternoon. The catch is the weather, not the gradient. The ridge is exposed, and we've genuinely seen guests get sun, wind, calm, hail and rain on a single hike up here. So go on a settled day if you can, take a windproof layer regardless, and treat it as the satisfying, low-drama climb it is.

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.