LAUGARVATN

Laugarvatn is a shallow lake, about 2 km2 in size, and is located in the inlands of Árnessýsla, midway between Þingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir, 100 km from Reykjavík. Under its floor, there are hot springs heating the lake so it is warm and suitable for bathing all year round. On its bank rests a village of over 300 inhabitants, also named Laugarvatn.

The Laugarvatnsfjall mountain with its birch-covered slopes on the west shelters the village and also adds to the charm and beauty of the place. Between the mountain and the lake, north of the village, there is a panoramic point (hringsjá) providing a good view of the lake and its surroundings. In addition, amongst the green hills and woods north of the lake the area is suitable for camping, pony-trekking, and hiking. Nearby you will find a lot of marked hiking routes.

It is possible to hire a boat or a sailboard to use at lake Laugarvatn. Just outside Laugarvatn there is a golf course and possibilities of angling in lakes and rivers in the area. Laugarvatn is a popular tourist resort for Icelanders, and it is also the site of educational institutions, as for example the Grammar School of Laugarvatn. There are two Edda Hotels located there as well.