Laugarfell is a mountain shelter and hotel in the eastern highlands, southwest of the town of Egilsstadir. It is a great place to stay the night and an excellent base for the slightly concealed treasures nearby.
Laugarfell hotel – your base camp to explore Iceland’s eastern parts
Laugarfell owes its appeal to its remarkable location. You can get here easily on an asphalt road (910), yet the shelter itself already stands in the interior, which makes it a great starting point for hikes to some waterfalls and to the canyon nearby Hafrahvammagljúfur. If you are driving a 4×4 vehicle, you can also take the trip to another canyon Stuðlagil and to the volcanic region of Askja.
Of course, if you are driving clockwise, the route Laugarfell-Askja-Myvatn needs to be done “backwards”, so after visiting Myvatn and Dettifoss leave road 1, go on F905, see Askja, take a dip in Viti, and let F910 lead you to Laugarfell, where you will likely stay the night.
The second section of road F910 – west of Askja, toward F26 – is a very rough and demanding road. But here – between Askja and Laugarfell – the offroad stretches of F905 and F910 are far more straightforward, and really stunning. You can read more about it in my article on road F910.
Laugarfell also makes a perfect stop after a day of offroad driving in the interior, because it has two natural hot springs with great views of the surrounding landscape. The larger pool holds 37-39 °C (99-102°F), the smaller one 42-44 °C (108-111°F), and a soak in them is the best way to unwind after an adventurous day and long hikes. To complete this unique, quaint picture, there are sheep roaming and grazing freely between the springs and around the shelter.
Video: beautiful setting of Laugarfell
The shelter’s reception can book you a horse riding tour, a visit to the local museum (the Wilderness Center at the southwest end of road 934), mountain bike trips or a day-long guided hike to the waterfalls in the area. You can reach the nearest few waterfalls on your own, on a clearly marked trail where it is virtually impossible to get lost.
Staying at Laugarfell
Laugarfell shelter is well maintained and offers twin, double and family rooms with shared bathrooms. It is not large – it sleeps 28 guests – but it has a superb restaurant, and overnight guests can use the hot springs right behind the building between 09:00 and 22:30.
If you travel in a campervan or with a tent, you can stay at the shelter’s campsite, which has separate areas for camper vans and for tents. Campers use the showers and toilets inside the main building, and the hot springs are included in the camping fee. Pitches are not booked in advance – it is first come, first served – and there is no shared guest kitchen, only a kettle, a microwave and an outdoor sink with no hot water.
If you are just passing through you can also use the restrooms and the hot springs, but you have to buy a day ticket; day visitors are welcome between 10:30 and 21:00.
| Laugarfell prices, 2026 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| What | Adults | Children (12 and under) |
| Hot springs, day ticket | 2,700 ISK (~$23) | 1,900 ISK (~$16) |
| Camping, per night | 3,700 ISK (~$30) | 1,900 ISK (~$16) |
| Electricity for a camper van | 1,500 ISK (~$13) | |
| Breakfast | 2,800 ISK (~$23) | 2,000 ISK (~$17) |
| Soup of the day | 2,600 ISK (~$22) | 1,800 ISK (~$15) |
| Dinner | 4,900 ISK (~$40) | 2,900 ISK (~$24) |
Seniors (13 and older) pay the children’s rate for the hot springs. Checked 13 September 2026, source: laugarfell.is.
The restaurant is open to everyone on the same terms. Breakfast is served 07:30-09:30 and dinner 19:00-21:00, the soup of the day is available during the day, and the café with coffee, tea, homemade cakes and snacks stays open from 07:30 until 21:00.
Book your stay at Laugarfell here: Laugarfell bookings.
How to get to Laugarfell
The Laugarfell shelter is near road 910, about 75 km (45 miles) southwest of the town Egilsstadir. The turn off road 910 to the shelter is clearly marked.
Coming from Egilsstadir, take road 931 toward Hengifoss, continue on road 933 for about five minutes and then turn right onto road 910; from there it is roughly a 40-minute drive to the Laugarfell sign.
The road in this area is of a “mixed” status. It is asphalt and not yet (going from the west: already not) a mountain F-type road. In winter, however, it is not plowed and stays closed, but outside of winter it can easily take you to the shelter, even if you are not driving a 4×4 vehicle.
Driving from Askja it is best to follow F910 to the canyon Hafrahvammagljúfur and continue on to the Kárahnjúkavirkjun power plant. From there the comfortable asphalt road 910 will take you to the shelter.
