Rjúpnavellir campground is the start of the hiking trail to Landmannalaugar. But it also works well as a base for a bus trip to this beautiful place. See what it offers and how to use it.
Rjupnavellir is a campsite in the valley of the Ytri-Ranga River, just off Highway 26, about 35 km northeast of Hella and about 135 km from Reykjavik.
Importantly, Rjupnavellir is the last campsite on the paved road on the bus route going from Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar – Fairytale Rainbow Mountains. That’s why those who drive around Iceland on their own, but do not drive a 4×4 car or do not want to risk entering Landmannalaugar itself, here they can comfortably leave the car and continue their journey by special off-road bus.
Map: Two roads from Rjupnavellir to Landmannalaugar
Literally 7 km north of the campground from the paved road 26, the F225 road – the shortest route to Landmannalaugar – diverges to the east. It is along this road that buses from Reykjavik travel.
Admittedly, there are several fords on successive streams along the way, but for off-road coaches traveling on this route this is not a problem. On the other hand, tourists driving small 4×4 cars most often enter Landmannalaugar from the north, because the road there – the F208 – does not go through any streams.
Rjupnavellir is also the beginning of the hiking route to Landmannalaugar. This route is the Hellismannaleid trail, which we described in a separate article. The trail is normally spread over 3 days, but it can also be walked in two. Those going on the Hellismannaleid arrive by morning bus to Rjupnavellir and start the hike from there. Their first next stop is the Afangagil campsite, from which they are 17 km and 20 GOT, so (typically) 5 to 7 hours of walking
Hellismannaleid: trail route and elevation profile
So, depending on your other plans, you can arrive here on one of the morning buses and go straight to the trail (this is the most common solution), or arrive on an afternoon bus and, for example, go on a hike towards Hekla – the Queen of Iceland’s Volcanoes, and go out on the trail the next morning.
Those following the Hellismannaleid trail in the opposite direction – from Landmannalaugar to Rjupnavellir – should have no problem catching the first return bus at 5 p.m. From the previous campsite – Afangagil – they have only 17 km to go, as the road leads mainly downhill.
Among the attractions in the area is, first of all, the valley of the Ytri-Ranga River, over which the campground lies. Slightly above the campground, about 6 km to the northeast lies the nice Fossabrekkur waterfall. On the other hand, approx. 3 km to the northwest lies Thjofafoss – Thieves’ Waterfall (is. Þjófafoss).
For more attractions in this region, see this list: the area around the Hekla volcano.
Rjupnavellir campground operates more along the same lines as all campgrounds along Highway 1. So it is in many ways different than other campgrounds on the Laugavegur, Fimmvorduhals, Hellismannaleid or any other mountain hiking trails in Iceland.
Rjupnavellir campground buildings
Compared to other campsites on Road 1, or popular places in Iceland in general, Rjupnavellir lacks a public kitchen or laundry facilities. However, for those who come down from the mountains here, it really is a great foray into civilization .
Camping Rjupnavellir – detailed information |
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| region | South Iceland | ||
| GPS coordinates | N 64°2.0511, W 19°50.0693 64.034185, -19.834488 |
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| altitude | 175 m above sea level. | ||
| season | May – September (exact dates depend on the weather) |
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| contact / reservations | Website: Rjúpnavellir Camping & Cottages +354 783 7141 info@rjupnavellir.is |
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| cost of accommodation (prices for 2024) | accommodation in a cottage: 7700 ISK (approx. 245 PLN), camping site: 1800 ISK (60 PLN), shower: 400 ISK (PLN 13); |
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