Laugarvatn

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Laugarvatn
image_lake = Laugarvatn.jpg
caption_lake =
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Iceland
coords = coord|64|12|40|N|20|42|40|W|region:IS_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = Iceland
length =
width =
area = 2.14 km²
depth =
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities = Bláskógabyggð

Laugarvatn is a lake in the south of Iceland. It is a bit smaller than the neighbouring Apavatn.

It is situated at a popular touristical round-trip, the "Golden Circle". If somebody wants to go from Þingvellir to Haukadalur, it is possible to follow a track through an interesting volcanic landscape and along Laugarvatn.

ee also

* Lakes of Iceland

External links

*http://www.nat.is/travelguideeng/laugarvatn.htm (Information)

Laugarvatn is a wonderful place to visit. There are Natural saunas which are possibly the cheapest thing to do in Iceland. It costs around £3 sterling to spend however long you want in the "saunas" (which are wooden houses built over naturally forming boiling lakes) or if you prefer the geothermally heated hot tubs. Many people (including locals and brave visitors) spend some time in the sauna/steam rooms then swiftly rush to the lake which is all of 10 metres away to dip in the often freezing lake, then after a few minutes take the walk back to the hot tubs, then enter the sunas to start the process again. From personal experience I can guarantee that my skin has never been so silky and pure (this may be attributed to the blue lagoon however), but still the experience is extremely Icelandic. There are always locals in the saunas, who are always friendly and often share stories of how the saunas have not changed in 50 years.

To get around the area of Lauarvatn it is advised personally that you lend your hand to hitchhiking. This was personally a hard step to take, but after taking the advice of a lot of people who knew Iceland from a tourists view was advised. It may take, as the roads are usually sparse to say the least, around half an hour to an hour to get a lift. But, there is no better feeling than getting a lift offered by a local. Usually the people giving you lifts will give you information on the area and give you a tour which would otherwise cost an obscene amount of money for the traveller.

If you are willing to take a hike it is recommended that you take a walk up the mountains next to Laugarvatn as when you are up there you will never feel as far away from the modern day world. Find the river bed and follow it upwards and you will feel as if there is no-one else for hundreds of miles around. Its advised that you call at the local shop beforehand however as you will more than likely want to take a break at some point and as the closest bar is in the caravan park set at the foot of the mountains (coupled with the facts that it is £6 sterling for a can of beer) you are pretty much stuck.