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f you want to take great photos, do not stop at the first viewpoint you reach. Venture a bit farther and circle the lake. The best time to be there is around sunset.
Ljótipollur is a crater lake near Landmannalaugar, in the Fjallabaki reserve (Friðland að Fjallabaki). Its name and appearance seem to be at odds…
Ljotipollur – a beautiful lake and ugly puddle rolled into one
Ljotipollur is a charming crater lake with crystalline water. It was formed in the crater that resulted from an eruption that took place in 1477. Due to its volcanic origin, the mountain sides that dip into the lake are nearly vertical and very colorful. The crater itself is about 1,5 km long, with walls that are both steep and tall.
The lake looks amazing any time of day but at sunrise and sunset, when sun rays glide over the very edge of the crater, the sight of Ljótipollur is truly breathtaking. The red lava rocks, layers of volcanic deposits and turquoise water… with good light this place is a paradise for photographers.
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f you want to take great photos, do not stop at the first viewpoint you reach. Venture a bit farther and circle the lake. The best time to be there is around sunset.
Surrounding rhyolite mountains, green hillsides, visible layers of solidified lava and hot springs offer wonderful conditions for hikes – with varying levels of difficulty.
Like another, neighboring lake – Hnausapollur – Ljotipollur belongs to the rift zone called Veiðivötn. It is less than 10 km away from the very popular campsite – Landmannalaugar, where a decent, albeit gravel, road will lead you (all roads in the area are classified as F, meaning mountain roads – open only in the summer and accessible only for 4×4 vehicles).
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contrary to what you see when you look at the lake, the literal meaning of its name is…. Ugly Puddle. Who and why could give this lake such an unflattering name is a mystery to me…
Ljótipollur — practical tips
- Ljótipollur – just like the entire Landmannalaugar are – is accessible only in summertime and exclusively for 4×4 vehicles (or the right type of motorbike, bike or, of course, on foot).
- There is a parking area on the northwest side of the crater.
- The road to Ljótipollur turns off to the east from the main F208 road, at the same junction where F225 (Landmannaleið) turns off westwards, leading to Landmannahellir and farther to road 26 near the volcano Hekla.
- Distance to the center Hrauneyjar to ok. 60 km, a do kempingu Landmannalaugar is less than 10 km.
- You can reach the crater on foot – following the road that starts from Landmannalaugar. This hike will take you about 2,5 h (one way).
How to get to Ljótipollur
Ljótipollur – like the entire Landmannalaugar area and nature reserve Fjallabak – piękny rezerwat na Wyżynie Islandzkiej – is accessible only in summertime and exclusively for 4×4 vehicles (or of course, on foot, the right type of motorbike or bike).
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he nearby Landmannalaugar campsite can be also reached by one of regular bus services.
The Ljótipollur crater and lake are very close (less than 2 km) to the junction of 3 roads:
- northern section of F208, leading from the Hrauneyjar shelter and road F26; it is the most used, fastest and safest way to get here; it is approx. 40 km from Hrauynejar and takes 1 (beautiful!) hour of driving;
- southern section of F208, joining road 1 between Vik and Kirkjubaejarklaustur; it is about 80 km and 2h of rather demanding driving through rough terrain (it could take more because it is worth taking a detour to see) Eldgja i Ofaerufoss);
- road F225 called Landmannaleið that leads west, to road 26 in the area of wulkanu Hekla. While driving along this road you can stay at the less crowded (than Landmannalaugar) Landmannahellir campsite. If time permits it may be good to drive up to Hekla and see the Rauðaskál crater.
