Brennisteinsalda

Description

Brennisteinsalda (881 m) is one of the crown jewle of the Landmannalaugar. It is probably one of the most colourful mountains in Iceland. Brennisteinsalda gets its colores from the geothermal heat that converts the rhyolite and precipitates many different minerals. Lava and ash bring the black colour, the green comes from the moss and the iron oxide from the rocks bring the red, blue and yellow to this symphony of colour. 
To hike Brennisteinsalda, you start by following the traditional Laugavegur from Landmannalaugar. Once you are quite high up the gorge between Brennisteinsalda and Laugahraun, you will see a path on your right-hand side that leads you to the top. The path is well marked and accessible to most. The reward is a magnificent view of the wonderful beauty of Landmannalaugar and the geothermal area in all its glory. From Brennisteinsalda you can take a marked path down to Vondugil on your way back to the starting point again. In good weather, this can be one of the destinations of the day in the well-marked and extensive trail system of Landmannalaugar and the surrounding area.