The Sveinstindur Hike
Located in the central Highlands of Iceland, the hike to the summit of Sveinstindur offers breathtaking views over Lake Langisjór. Standing at 1,089 meters (3,573 feet) above sea level, the summit delivers panoramas considered among the most stunning in all of Iceland.
Often skipped by tourists due to its remote location, the Langisjór region—and the hike to the summit of Sveinstindur—offers a truly unforgettable experience for those who make the journey.
How to get to Sveinstindur
To reach the Langisjór region, take the famous F208 mountain track, either starting from the Landmannalaugar region or from the south near Vík. There are two ways to get there:
- From the south: Either take the F208 south between Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur, then turn right onto F235
- From the north: Or take the F208 from Landmannalaugar and turn left onto F235.
The F235 is considered one of the most beautiful tracks in the country.
A 4x4 vehicle is absolutely essential. Be prepared for several river crossings on the F208, and expect rough terrain. The F235 is relatively short and not especially difficult—it takes about 45 minutes to drive from the F208 junction to the main Langisjór parking lot. There are only two river crossings on this stretch, and they’re usually shallow.
Keep in mind: the F235 typically opens late in the season, often not until late June or early July. Visiting during winter is not possible.
The view from the main parking area
When you arrive at the main parking lot, you’ll find just a small hut and occasionally a few park rangers. A short walk from here leads to a nearby hill, offering a gorgeous view over the Langisjór lakes with minimal elevation gain.
The hike to Sveinstindur summit
The ascent to the summit
Langisjór is so isolated that the first thing you’ll notice is the complete silence—no traffic, no voices—just the sound of the wind. This tranquility allows you to fully take in the dramatic landscapes: vast black sand plains, mossy green ridges, and volcanic peaks.
To get the full view, you can hike to the summit of Sveinstindur, the prominent mountain to your right as you arrive at the Langisjór campsite.
The two starting points in red that lead to the summit in blue
Know that there are two routes to climb Sveinstindur:
- A shorter, steeper trail that starts directly from the parking lot and climbs straight to the summit.
- A longer, more gradual trail that begins on the opposite side of the mountain and follows a scenic ridge.
The ascent to the summit of Sveinstindur via the shortest path
This is the most popular option for visitors. The round-trip hike from the parking lot to the summit takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes and covers 4.2 km. The trail is well-marked and visible from the parking area, with yellow trail markers.
The route begins with a steep incline for several hundred meters until you reach a plateau with sweeping views of the lake, including the massive 20-km-long Langisjór.
From there, the trail becomes a bit more slippery and leads into the steepest section. At the summit, you’ll find a cairn and a breathtaking 360-degree view that includes Hvannadalshnúkur, Lakagígar, and Laki.
On clear days, you can see both the Vatnajökull ice cap to the northeast and Mýrdalsjökull to the southwest. The view is nothing short of spectacular.
It's highly recommended to attempt the hike only when the weather is clear, as the view from the summit is a major highlight.
The longer, gentler trail to ascend to the summit of Sveinstindur
This route starts on the other side of the mountain near a second hut. While it leads to the same summit, the ascent is more gradual (except for the final steep portion, which is shared with the shorter route).
The elevation gain is the same—around 530 meters—but the trail is longer. The round trip is 6.2 km and takes about 3 hours. Like the other path, this one is well-marked.
Along the way, you’ll see stunning views of the vast black sand deserts, the braided blue channels of the Skaftá river, and the green moss that clings to the volcanic landscape—all set against a backdrop of Vatnajökull and Mýrdalsjökull.
Where to stay around Langisjór?
If you enjoy camping, there’s a small campsite near the Langisjór parking lot. Otherwise, accommodation options in the area are extremely limited—there are only two nearby!
One is along the 208 heading north, and the other is toward Eldgjá on the F208.
The nearest village is Hrauneyar to the north, where you’ll find the Highland Center Hotel. Located an hour’s drive up the 208, this hotel has a great reputation and fills up quickly during summer. It’s also on the pricier side due to its ideal location and limited competition.
Further south, the other option is the Hólaskjól Cabin, just 7 km from Edlgja. This is the closest and ideal option for Langisjór. The cabins are very well maintained and the site is widely renowned in the region.
