Höhepunkte: 
Landmannalaugar ("The people's pools") is a vast area of stunning and unique beauty, the true heart of Iceland's southern Highlands.
Geology
Landmannalaugar is a truly rare area, both geologically and aesthetically. The area can be found nestled beside the raven-black Laugahraun lava field, a sweeping expanse of dried magma which originally formed in 1477. Landmannalaugar itself is made up of windswept rhyolite mountains, a rock type that creates a full spectrum of dazzling colour on the mountainside. Shades of red, pink, green and golden yellow all change their tone, keeping in movement with the sun rays and creating an area of wilderness that resembles no place else on earth.
Landmannalaugar is primarily known for its natural geothermal baths, hence its name "The People's Pools". For centuries, Landmannalaugar has served as an area of shelter and respite for weary travellers who use these soothing springs as a means to relax after tiring excursions. Today, visitors to the highlands should always bring a swimsuit and towel, just in case one of these naturally occurring hot pools should crop up along the hiking trail.
The most popular road leading to landmannalaugar, Sigölduleið, takes you past multiple stunning natural features, including Bláhylur lake, a magnificent body of water nestled in a dormant volcanic crater.
Hiking
The area marks the northern end of the Laugavegur, one of Iceland's most popular hiking trails. It is also home to many other notable trails, however, including the path onto the mighty Mt. Brennisteinsalda ("Sulphur Wave"). Visitors can also traverse the trail up the Bláhnjúkur ("Blue Peak") volcano, whose summit allows for a sweeping view of up to five glaciers on clear days.
Multiple operators run daily tours to Landmannalaugar from mid-June to mid-September, during which time The Icelandic Touring Association operates a small shop, three camp sites and a mountain hut equipped with sleeping bags and accommodation for up to 80 visitors.
The stratovolcano Hekla in the south of Iceland is undoubtedly one of the island's most famous and active volcanoes, with over 20 eruptions since settlement.
Hekla is part of a 40 kilometers long volcanic ridge but the most active part is the fissure Heklugja, considered the volcano proper. Hekla has produced one of the largest amounts of lava of any volcano in the world. Last time Hekla erupted was in 2000.
In the Middle Ages Hekla was considered to be the gateway to Hell, and it continues to inspire. It’s referenced in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, poet and artist William Blake banishes Winter to Hekla in his poem Winter and Icelandic composer Jon Leifs, inspired by Hekla’s power, composed one of the loudest pieces of classical music ever, Hekla Op 52.
Travelers from all over seek out Hekla and it is a popular hiking place. In addition to hiking you can ski there in the spring, summer offers easy mountaineering routes and you can snowmobile to the top in winter.
Domadalur is a valley east of Kringla (Landmannahellir cave) in the south of the Icelandic highlands.
The valley has a little shallow lake and east of it is a sandy obsidian lava field called Domadalshraun. The cabins of travel service Landmannaleidir e.hf. are nearby with good acommodations for travelers and horses, along with a camping ground.
Thjorsardalur is the easternmost valley of Arnessysla in South Iceland. The valley is lush and contains amazing natural and cultural attractions.
Thjorsardalur is rather flat and has much pumice, due to volcanic eruptions from Hekla.The rivers Sanda and Fossa run through the valley, which has wide areas of birchwood and is listed as a National Forest.
Among popular attractions are the beautiful waterfalls Hjalparfoss and Haifoss, one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland. The small valley Gjain features small waterfalls, ponds and volcanic formations. Vegghamrar are impressive rock cliffs, popular for rock climbing and the reconstructed viking-era farmstead Thjodveldisbaerinn, showcasing life in the Saga Age, is also highly recommended.
Ljotipollur is a explosion crater lake in the south highlands, situated in the southernmost crater in the Veidivotn fissure system.
Strangely enough, Ljotipollur's name means 'Ugly Puddle', since this crater anything but, being beautifully red with the deep trout-filled lake at its bottom and high edges on its sides.
Hjalparfoss is one of several waterfalls in Thjorsardalur valley, north of the volcano Hekla, in south Iceland.
This is a two-stepped waterfall, situated near the point where the rivers Fossa and Thjorsa join each other. The waterfall is framed by beautiful basalt formations, creating a nice contrast to the white waterstream.
Credit: Wikimedia, Creative Commons. Photo by Gestumblindi.
Frostastaðavatn is a highland lake renowned for its vivid blue and green colouration and its popularity amongst photographers.
Close to the beloved hiking and hot spring area Landmannalaugar and the notorious volcano Mount Hekla, it is frequently visited by those hiking the Laugavegur trek. It can also be visited on day hikes and super jeep tours.
Frostastaðavarn is surrounded by colourful rhyolite mountains, from which you can attain incredible views over Iceland’s interior.
Deutsch
