Iceland: Day 21 - Landmannalaugar 2 (Mountain hike and spring dip)

July 15, 2004

After our riverbed hike we suddenly got the urge to see the view from on high and so we started the climb up Bláhnúkur (943m). The effort was rewarded with yet more spectacular views and we realized that we could take a different trail back down that would lead us past a thermal area and back through the lava fields.

Decided that her feet were sore enough to warrant a little dip in the thermal pool by the campsite. Being a natural pool, the heat was less regulated so getting in was a little cooler until you could find one of the coveted hot spots. It was a little crowded so we didn't stay long... a very different experience from the nature baths at Mývatn and the Blue Lagoon!

An aerial view of the riverbed we had hiked earlier.

 
As we climb up the narrow ridge we look in the distance and see snow-capped mountains on one side... and a smoking thermal area on the other!

This is the magic of Landmannalaugar...
we can only imagine what this would like like on a sunny day!

From the top of the mountain the path continues back down to a thermal area which produced a huge lavafield and which still has active steams and vents.

Rubby at the summit overlooking the campground area with the lava field to the left and the flood plain to the right.

The view is amazing but the steep mountain side with the slippery loose rocks is a little disconcerting

Streams from the melting snow intersect with lava flows on the colourful mountains.

We can't stop taking pictures although we know we can never quite capture the spectacular colours of this "geological rainbow".

 
Volcanic rock covers the volcanic mountain while bright green moss grows around the steam vents at the base.

A route marker identifies the path through the lava field back to the camp site.

Walking through the lava field we get a good look at the path we hiked up along the narrow ridge.

A natural hot spring in the distance.

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