Iceland's Rhyolite Mountains

When you think of Iceland’s natural wonders, it is common to picture a waterfall, a canyon, basalt column stacks or iceberg lagoons.

But there are other natural wonders that you can look at, experience, go through or become a part of in Iceland. Some of them have magical qualities that literally give you the sense you’ve entered another dimension. Some of the most interesting ones are in the Highland; therefore, they are only accessible during the summer and, as a result, more difficult to reach, but the reward is worth it.

ULTRA-COLORFUL LANDSCAPE

Among such fascinating natural wonders are Iceland’s rhyolite mountains. Most of these places span a large area of land, displaying a combination of hot springs and an ultracolorful landform. These places have a stunning spectrum of geology and earth colors. The mountains and the colors are a product of a variety of geological factors ranging from the magma that flows underneath, the chemical combination of the lava flow when surfacing, the condition on the surface to the many hundreds or thousands of years they have been in existence. Rhyolite is among the most interesting phenomena in geology owing to its many visible variations that depend on the combination of all those factors. It can appear as a shining black obsidian or as pink, blue, green or yellow rhyolite rocks, all adding up to a spectacular landform.

LANDMANNALAUGAR

In Landmannalaugar, you can easily spend three to five days hiking to exceptional landforms in colorful valleys or peaks with a grand view to the orange, yellow and blue mountains. You can choose from hikes of a few hours up to two or three days to places that are unique on the planet. These places are especially appealing to photographers. At the same time, you will be embraced by the landform and enraptured by the breathtaking, exceptional and colorful views in every direction. No wonder Landmannalaugar has often been labeled as one of the most remarkable places in Iceland.

HVERADALIR

In Hveradalir, you can easily spend four to five hours walking the many small paths, constantly experiencing new and exciting things. There are many hot springs with colorful sulfur at the brim and variety of earth colors that can be traced back to the time when the lava surfaced. The paths and steps also lead you to the many fascinating hot springs that are constantly roaring and blowing steam. Although located at a high altitude in the Highland, you will also encounter some interesting vegetation that adds more color to the landscape. And from the time, you enter this magical place and start walking, your mind is blown as you experience feelings that you have never imagined before.

SMALL BUT SPECTACULAR RHYOLITE PLACES

For those who are interested in visiting smaller versions of rhyolite mountains and spectacular hot springs, there are some attractive options in the proximity of Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital. One such place is Seltún and another is Gunnuhver on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Both places are much smaller and only show a fraction of what you can expect in Hveradalir and Landmannalaugar. But both Seltún and Gunnuhver have all the color, steam, hot springs and boiling clay for your enjoyment if not the magical mindblowing experience of Hveradalir and Landmannalaugar; perfect places for you to get a feel for Icelandic wonder.