Landmannahellir – a Green Alternative to Landmannalaugar

Landmannahellir is a beautifully situated, comfortable, affordable and green campsite. It is one of the campsites on the Hellismannaleid mountain trail – the western extension of the famous Laugavegur. It is also a great base for people who want to go fishing in the nearby lakes.

tent with a mountain in the Icelandic highland

Campsite in Landmannahellir

But despite all it’s advantages, the place is best known (to the tourists, at least) for being just 6 miles northwest of perhaps the most famous Icelandic campsite – the famous Landmannalaugar. And it is an interesting alternative because it is located nearby (if you’re driving), and offers tranquility, lower prices and excellent green grass to pitch a tent. Spectacular views all around come as a free bonus…

Staying at the campsite costs (1800 ISK / $14 pp; discounts for teens and kids). A shower costs a bit more than on Laugavegur campsites – 600 ISK ($4.50). But more importantly these are the best maintained and most comfortable showers (and amenities) of all the showers on the Fimmvorduhals, Laugavegur and Hellismannaleid trails combined. The owners ask to limit the use of hot water to 4-5 minutes ‘per session’, but this is not enforced in any way. And you don’t have to fit in a few minutes with your bath – just turn the water on and off as you need. All in all, you’ll shower more comfortably, and likely use less water…

The owners also agree to charge phones for a small fee (500 kr).

The campsite is very large, grassy, with rather soft ground, in takes the tent pegs well, but where they also hold well. The whole site is also quite flat, so it’s easy to find a good spot for your tent or camper. Hikers and campers have their separate parts of the campsite.

house serving as canteen for landmannahellir campsite

barn-canteen at the campsite

The campsite also has a small hut – a former barn – available to tourists, where you can comfortably cook, eat or just wait out the bad weather.

Landmannahellir also offers great – compared to Landmannalaugar – and much cheaper accommodation in huts (7200 ISK / $55 for an adult, half for teens). The huts are well heated, have running water, cooking facilities and a toilet, but need to be booked in advance.

Unfortunately, the campsite does not have a shop, restaurant or a hot spring. Nevertheless, it lies in an absolutely beautiful, green area and is a kind of asylum from the rather crowded and bustling Landmannalaugar.

You do not have to book spots at the campsite in advance, but it is best to book the huts (if you’re interested) via the campsite’s website – Landmannahellir.

Right next to the campsite there is a small cave or grotto at the foot of Hellisfjall hill. It is from this cave that the campsite got its name (hellir means cave in Icelandic). The Landmannahellir Cave is 14 m long, 8 m wide and 4 m high. Once it served as a shelter for shepherds wandering through the mountain pastures.

Getting to Landmannahellir

The easiest way to reach Landmannahellir campsite is from the west – take the F225 road, also known as Landmannaleid (Landmannaleið). This road branches off road 26 some 30 miles north-east of Hella. Access by this road requires crossing one, usually shallow, ford. In total, it is about 100 miles east of Reykjavik.