Journey through the Icelandic Highlands: Landmannalaugar, Kerlingarfjöll and design lodges

LANDMANNALAUGAR, at the heart of the coloured mountains

Reaching Landmannalaugar is already an adventure in itself: the tracks crossing the Highlands gradually lead into a more remote, mineral and silent Iceland.
An extraordinary landscape, where the colours of the mountains meet Iceland’s volcanic power.

STAYING IN AN UNUSUAL LODGE

In Iceland, accommodation is sometimes an integral part of the journey. Sleeping in an unusual dwelling, such as the ÖÖD houses, means choosing total immersion in the Icelandic landscapes.

With their wide glass façades, these contemporary refuges seem to dissolve into nature, offering a constant view over the mountains, lava fields and the vastness of the sky. From the bed or the outdoor hot tub, one can watch the light shift, the midnight sun in summer or, with a bit of luck, the northern lights in winter.

An intimate interlude, between design, nature and disconnection.

THE KERIÐ CRATER

The Kerið crater reveals an impressive volcanic caldera, holding a lake with turquoise waters and surrounded by steep, reddish walls.

Formed around 3,000 years ago, Kerið is one of the most accessible sites for discovering Icelandic volcanic geology. A path runs around the rim of the crater, offering superb panoramas, while another descends to the edge of the lake for a closer look at the rock’s coloured strata.

The contrast between the deep blue of the water, the red hues of the volcanic rock and the green moss covering the surroundings makes for a particularly photogenic landscape, especially when the light softens at the end of the day.

KERLINGARFJÖLL

A short detour from the classic routes also reveals more secluded sites, such as the turquoise waters of Brúarfoss. The region lends itself to a range of experiences: bathing in geothermal waters, Icelandic horse riding, hiking, or watching the northern lights during the long winter nights.

To go further, Super Jeep excursions into the Highlands allow, depending on the season and conditions, access to more remote territories.