Álftavatn Travel Guide

Álftavatn is a beautiful lake in the southern Icelandic highlands, renowned for its beautiful birdlife.

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Álftavatn is located in a remote location, on the Laugavegur hiking trail; it therefore can only be reached by those taking a multi-day hike. These hikes usually go from Landmannalaugar, one of the nation’s most popular highland areas, to Þórsmörk, a beautiful forested valley.

This route is internationally renowned as one of the best multi-day trails in the world.

The lake is home to dozens of species of duck, swan and other waterfowl, making it a favourite location for birdwatchers. Its surroundings, of colourful rhyolite mountains and incredible highland views only add to this.

Because of its wealth of life in an otherwise sparse and barren landscape, Álftavatn is often referred to as an oasis.

Hikers will find mountain huts to kip in by the lake, housing up to 72 people at a time. This allows for excellent opportunities to see the lake underneath the midnight sun.