The Landmannalaugar Base Camp serves as the base of operations for the Landmannalaugar area hiking trails, including the Laugavegur trail. The camp includes a hut that sleeps 78 people, a campsite, shower/toilet facilities, a registration booth with snacks, a large dining tent, and Mountain Mall, a store with basic supplies set up inside three buses. The base has the look and feel of a great adventure. This is not your average tourist visitors center where the bus pulls up. The people you will find at the Landmannalaugar Base Camp are mostly advanced adventurers outfitted in the latest North Face and Salewa apparel.
Unfortunately, upon my arrival at the Landmannalaugar Base Camp, the trails were being shut down due to a freak summer storm. I was only able to hike to the top of a small hill overlooking the base camp.
Back at base camp, campers were scurrying to find large rocks to secure their tents from the incessant high winds. The dining tent was packed with hikers seeking shelter from the winds. Tour guides were scrambling to make alternative plans.
For me, I needed to use the restroom. It had been a long drive to the camp and the cold wind was only making it worse. But the guy standing guard at the entrance said I needed to purchase a pass for 500ISK (about $4, no problem). At first, I though this guy was either kidding or was an opportunist. As it turns out, that is the cost for a day pass for the restrooms and showers, not a bad deal if you are camping at Landmannalaugar.
I drove to the Landmannalaugar Base Camp and you can read more about that here. You can also take a public bus to Landmannalaugar or sign up with a tour company such as Extreme Iceland for a Super Jeep (or similar vehicle) excursion.
Though the Landmannalaugar trails were closed on this day, the trip was exciting and worthwhile. Nevertheless, I hope to return some day for the full experience. But not wanting to leave empty-handed, I found a trail right around the corner which will be the subject of a future blog post.
Landmannalaugar Base Camp Photos
The dining tent.
The Mountain Mall, located in buses, has basic food and camping items.
The registration window where you buy the passes for the facilities and camping.
The camping area for tents.
Though the trails were closed, visitors were permitted to hike to the top of a small hill overlooking the base camp.
Hikers returning due to the trail being closed.
The view from the top of the hill.
A nice panoramic shot of the base camp area.
