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Highlights
Explore the world’s third-largest geothermal area in Iceland on cross-country skis
Embrace the supernatural energy of Landmannalaugar’s geothermal hot spot, and maybe spot the northern lights!
Practice your cross-country glides in the vast, open Icelandic snow-covered lava fields.
Explore dramatic craters, snow-filled gorges, lava fields, and steaming geothermal landscapes.
Spend each night just a few dozen steps away from magical, hot geothermal pools surrounded by snow.
This is the winter adventure you’ve been dreaming of, especially if you’re a cross-country skier with only a few days to spare for an epic tour! For four days, you’ll follow an experienced and knowledgeable guide throughout the ethereal landscapes in Landmannalaugar, which is one of the world’s geothermal hot spots.
Iceland is home to some of the world’s most magnificent nature, and this is your ticket to explore it! Since the Landmannalaugar Cross-Country Ski Tour takes place during winter, your chances of witnessing the northern lights are very high. For a jam-packed adventure through lava fields, ice-field gorges, and many, many steam vents releasing the earth’s pressure, look no further than this 4-day cross-country ski tour in central Iceland.
Browse all ski touring tours on 10Adventures, or see more Self-Guided Iceland tours.
This is the winter adventure you’ve been dreaming of, especially if you’re a cross-country skier with only a few days to spare for an epic tour! For four days, you’ll follow an experienced and knowledgeable guide throughout the ethereal landscapes in Landmannalaugar, which is one of the world’s geothermal hot spots.
Iceland is home to some of the world’s most magnificent nature, and this is your ticket to explore it! Since the Landmannalaugar Cross-Country Ski Tour takes place during winter, your chances of witnessing the northern lights are very high. For a jam-packed adventure through lava fields, ice-field gorges, and many, many steam vents releasing the earth’s pressure, look no further than this 4-day cross-country ski tour in central Iceland.
Browse all ski touring tours on 10Adventures, or see more Self-Guided Iceland tours.
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Landmannalaugar Cross-Country Ski Tour Itinerary
Day 1 XC Ski to Landmannalaugar Trail
Start your 4-day adventure with an early pickup from your accommodation in Reykjavík. Travel east before continuing into Iceland’s interior to Sigalda, where you’ll put on your cross-country skis and begin the journey towards Landmannalaugar.
Cross the Bjallahraun lava fields and ski over Hnausar Pass before descending towards Lake Frostastaðavatn. Continue to the mountain hut in Landmannalaugar, where your luggage will be waiting. Settle in and enjoy a soak in the natural hot spring located near the hut.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 6 hours, 100m of ascent/descent
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Explore Ljótipollur and Kirkjufell
Spend the day exploring Ljótipollur, an enormous volcanic crater formed during eruptions in the 15th century. Beneath its winter covering, you may catch glimpses of the black and red colours of its steep rocky walls surrounding the crater lake.
Continue the loop towards the imposing Kirkjufell mountain before returning to the Landmannalaugar hut. After your day on the skis, you can unwind with another soak in the nearby hot spring.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 5 hours, 100m of ascent/descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Stórihver and Hrafntinnusker
Begin by climbing through the steam vents of Brennisteinsalda before crossing the ridge and continuing towards the impressive Stórihver hot spring. Here, steam rises dramatically from the geothermal landscape.
If weather conditions are favourable, continue towards the ice caves of Hrafntinnusker before circling the obsidian mountain to reach the small Hrafntinnusker mountain hut. From here, enjoy an easier descent back to Landmannalaugar and its hot springs.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 6 hours, 550m of ascent/descent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Ski to Sigalda and Return to Reykjavík
Leave the Landmannalaugar hut and ski north through the lava fields of Dómadalur towards Lake Eskihlíðarvatn. Continue to Sigalda, where your transportation will be waiting after collecting your luggage from Landmannalaugar.
Return to Reykjavík, arriving in the late afternoon after completing your 4-day cross-country skiing adventure.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: N/A
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Landmannalaugar Cross-Country Ski Tour Price and Dates
This guided tour in Iceland is run as a group tour where you would be joining a group on a set departure date.Prices below are per person:
Start
Finish
Duration
Spaces Left
Price
Accommodation on the Landmannalaugar Cross-Country Ski Tour
This tour is based in traditional mountain huts. The huts are basic with dormitories for sleeping and fully-equipped kitchens.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Single rooms are not available on this tour as mountain huts only have shared dormitories.
What’s Included in the Landmannalaugar Cross-Country Ski Tour?
Meals
3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 3 nights is included. Accommodations before or after the tour are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage is included during the tour. At the start and end of the tour, transportation to and from Reykjavík is included.
Also Included
- Experienced English-speaking guide
Not included
- Sleeping bag (available to rent)
- Cross-country ski equipment
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Flights to and from Reykjavik
- Anything not mentioned as included
Optional Extras
- Sleeping bag rental
- Ski equipment rental
- Extra nights in Reykjavík before or after the tour
- How hard is the Landmannalaugar Cross-Country Ski Tour?
- Will I be able to shower on the tour?
- Are there toilet facilities?
- Do the mountain huts have running water?
- Can I charge my phone/camera in the huts?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Iceland?
- Are meals included on the Landmannalaugar Cross-Country Ski Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Reykjavík to start this tour?
- Is the Landmannalaugar Cross-Country Ski Tour in English?
- Where does the Landmannalaugar Cross-Country Ski Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Iceland?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Iceland?
- When is the best time to travel to Iceland for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. You should be comfortable cross-country skiing for up to 6 hours daily.
Unfortunately, there is no hot water for showers in the winter, but feel free to bathe in the warm natural pool near the hut.
During winter, you will use the outhouse. If the temperatures are not too low, flushing toilets might be available.
The mountain huts have cold running water, but you will need to boil it for hot water.
It’s recommended that you bring a power bank to charge any electronics as there is no electricity in the huts.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
You can fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF), the main international airport serving Reykjavík. You will be picked up from your accommodation in Reykjavík at the start of the tour.
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
The tour ends in Reykjavík in the late afternoon.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Iceland for cross-country skiing is in the winter. This tour is available from February to April.
Customer Ratings
Icelandic Mountain Guides are a boutique adventure tour company that has been sharing the best of Iceland’s beautiful wilderness since 1994. Their passion for nature and adventure drives them to provide quality, fun and educational experiences for their guests. They are also committed to the environment, carbon neutralizing all of their day tours.
