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In the Land of Fire and Ice, it’s natural that there are instances where these two elements meet or clash and result in incredible natural wonders: lakes, rivers, and hot springs. All of them are impressive bodies of water that make your chin drop so far that you’ll stumble on it when you tie your shoes. Langisjor in Iceland is one of those impressive lakes.
Iceland is synonymous with adventures in nature, and the lakes are often focal points in these excursions into the wilderness. In this article, we’ll tell you all about what makes Langisjor in Iceland so special. Strap in, tune in, and gear up for our trip to a stunning lake in the Icelandic Wilderness.
Langisjor in Iceland: A Short Introduction to This Very Long Lake
Nestled in the Icelandic Highlands, there is a lake that is teeming with life and adventure. The Langisjor Lake in Iceland is the clearest lake in the entire country and sits at an altitude of 670 meters above sea level. It’s a whopping 20 kilometers long and “only” 2 kilometers wide. The name in Icelandic “Langisjor” translates into “Long Lake” in English. It’s easy to understand why the Icelanders chose this fitting name.
Langisjor in Iceland was created during a volcanic eruption in the latest Ice Age and is constantly fed clear water from the underground water springs. When you visit, you’ll notice many small islands in the lake, which are all barren, just like the area around it. The silica released from the volcanic rock creates the azure-tinted color, and the filtrated spring water provides that fairytale clarity it is so well-known for.
The lake is surrounded by glaciers and mountains, creating an unmatched scenery. One of the mountain ranges near Langisjor in Iceland is named Fögrufjöll, which translates to “The Beautiful Mountains”. This name is a clear indication of how photogenic the area is.
Another notable feature of Langisjor in Iceland is that it is (so far) one of the few large natural lakes in the Icelandic Highlands. Many other lakes of the same size are dams for hydroelectric production, and there are plans to make Langisjor part of this family of semi-artificial lakes. Local environmental groups are actively opposing this since Langisjor in Iceland is known to be one of the most beautiful natural lakes in the country and part of the national pride.
Where is Langisjor in Iceland
Langisjor in Iceland is located in the massive Vatnajökull National Park, right at the western tip of the Vatnajökull Glacier. This means it’s quite far into the highlands, and you will need a 4x4 vehicle to get here. It’s possible to hike here from the nearest camping grounds in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. But it’s not easy and will require some serious prepping.
How to Get to Langisjor in Iceland
Unlike many other places in the country, you can’t take a tour to Langisjor in Iceland. You have to get there yourself. The road to Langisjor in Iceland from Reykjavik is easy to follow but gets increasingly difficult to maneuver the further you go.
You start by driving the Ring Road, heading east for about 126 kilometers until you reach the roundabout that takes you on Road 26, heading north. Drive this road for about 41 kilometers and turn right on F225, which you follow until you reach a gravel T-crossing on F208. Take a right and follow this road for roughly 30 kilometers until you can take a left on F235. Drive the F235 for as long as you can, and you’ll reach the camps at Langisjor in Iceland.
It's worth noting that the F-roads in Iceland are only open in the summer and require a 4x4 vehicle, so plan accordingly. The F208 is fairly well maintained, but the F235 is a bumpy ride, so be sure to drive with caution and keep a lid on the coffee!
What to Do at Langisjor in Iceland
Even though this is a remote lake with next-to-no infrastructure, there are plenty of things to do in the area. The most natural thing to do in a lake is to swim, but since this is in the ice-cold highlands in an ice-cold lake, you should think twice before dipping your toes in Langisjor in Iceland. We’re not saying it’s impossible, just that it’s colder than you might think.
Hike Around the Lake
The number one activity in the highlands is hiking in Iceland, and there is nothing that beats hiking around Langisjor in Iceland. There are three main hikes you can do at Langisjor in Iceland:
Around Langisjor Lake
If you follow the popular hiking trail around the lake, you’ll get the chance to see this stunning lake from many different vantage points. It’s a photographer’s paradise! Just keep in mind that the trail is 55 kilometers long in rough terrain, so bring your best hiking gear and plenty of snacks.
Since this will take 2-3 days to complete, you’ll be happy to hear that there are several camping spots around Langisjor in Iceland, so you won’t have any issues finding a place to sleep. Just remember not to let the midnight sun in Iceland fool you when you’re wandering. Keep an eye on the clock!
The Sveinstindur Peak
The shortest hike nearby is a 4-kilometer-long trail that isn’t too difficult. It will take about 2 hours to complete, and it is literally up and down the tallest peak of the nearest mountain.
Around Sveinstindur
There’s a loop trail around the Sveinstindur Mountain that is just 11 kilometers long. Since it is quite difficult, this route will take roughly 4 hours to complete, and you’ll have to be careful not to wander off the trail.
Go Fishing
Despite being fairly isolated, the lake is full of happy and healthy Trout. If you want to fish here, you’ll need to get a fishing license at the Hólaskjól Highland Center further south on F208. For adults, the license costs about 5,000 ISK ($37), and for kids under 15 years of age, it is free.
If you want to get the full experience, you can rent the cabin on the side of the lake for 45,000 ISK ($332). This will accommodate 4-6 people and includes full angling rights alongside running cold water, flushing toilets, and cooking facilities.
Kayak on the Peaceful Surface
One activity that you can do right on the lake is kayaking and boating. The crystal-clear water provides an eerie but breathtaking experience as you smoothly glide over the surface. You will have to bring a rented kayak or boat here if you want to do it, though, as there aren’t any rentals on site.
Where to Stay Near Langisjor in Iceland
Since this area is in the middle of the southern highlands in Iceland, there is a severe lack of hotels and guesthouses. What you want to focus on here are the camping grounds. There is a camping ground at the southern tip of the lake and a rental cabin not far east of it. The cabin is the one mentioned above with the angling rights.
The camping ground at the southern tip offers all the amenities you could need for a good camping experience. It has running water and toilets, but no warm water or showers. The ground is volcanic pumice, so you’re going to have to get creative with fastening your tent pegs.
Unfortunately, there is no electricity or camper sewage dumping available, but if you drive a campervan or motorhome, you won’t struggle with tent pegs or sleeping on the rocky ground.
The closest hotel is Hotel Highland on Road 26, a couple of kilometers west of Langisjor in Iceland. Here you’ll find a nice restaurant and top-notch rooms, and you’ll be able to book tours for pretty much any activity under the sun. A room per night will cost anything from 26,700 ISK ($197) for an economy room to 76,410 ISK ($563.50) for the most luxurious room.
The Best Time to Visit Langisjor in Iceland
The only time of the year you can visit Langisjor in Iceland is in the summer. The rest of the time, the roads will be closed, and the highlands are generally off-limits to visitors. Besides, the summer in Iceland is the best time of the year to do activities in and around the lake.
If you want a more specific answer, the best month to visit is August in Iceland. This time of year, you’ll know that the roads will be open, the weather will be good (as good as can be), and you will have people moving around the area in case anything happens.
Plan Your Visit to Langisjor in Iceland
With the myriads of lakes and rivers in this country, only a few measure up to the stunning views you can get at Langisjor in Iceland. The fact that it’s hard to reach and even harder to get around simply adds to the magic when you finally arrive at the shoreline.
If you are looking for a place that is far beyond the beaten path, visiting Langisjor in Iceland must be on your holiday itinerary. A good way to ensure your comfort is to rent a campervan in Iceland to take on your adventure. Nothing beats waking up in a comfortable 4x4 campervan with nothing around you but majestic mountains and a crystal-clear lake. What are you waiting for?
