Laugar offers several distinct reasons to visit: a swimming pool with several water areas, a short walking route with views of Reykjadalur, and a school history dating back to the first half of the 20th century. These three themes highlight different sides of the town: leisure at the pool, outdoor exercise and local cultural history. Which you focus on depends on whether you are most interested in the walk, the swimming areas or the history of the schools.
Swimming Pool and Sports Facilities
Laugar’s swimming pool has a 12 × 25-metre outdoor pool, two spacious hot tubs and a shallow pool for younger children. It is in the same building as the sports hall and near the local sports and leisure facilities. The pool serves local residents, students at Laugar College and travellers. If visiting the pool is an important part of your plans, check the current visitor arrangements in advance.
The Walking Route to Stóru-Laugar
The “Laugar in Reykjadal†trail is a short, easy loop. It starts at the swimming pool, heads north to Stóru-Laugar and returns through the residential area above Laugar School. Along the way, it offers views of the impressive buildings of Laugar Secondary School and across the lush Reykjadalur Valley. The trail follows the river and also takes in fertile farmland and the valley’s green landscape. At Stóru-Laugar, the route includes a short loop around a historic complex of buildings. The route description therefore covers two loops of different scales: the short, easy loop from the swimming pool and the short loop around the complex at Stóru-Laugar. The main trail combines views of the valley and river with a return through the residential area; the loop around the complex adds a historical dimension. The route thus offers both landscape views and a closer look at school and historic buildings.
School History in Laugar
The school history gives Laugar a cultural and historical context. Schooling has been provided continuously in Laugar in Reykjadal since 1925. For much of the 20th century, the history of Laugaskóli is considered part of the cultural history of the Þingeyingar. The Húsmæðraskólinn school in Laugar was built in 1929. The dates refer to different milestones: 1925 marks the start of continuous schooling, while 1929 is the year the Húsmæðraskólinn school was built. This distinguishes the history of education as an ongoing practice from the construction history of a particular school building. Together, these aspects provide a historical and cultural context that adds another perspective on Laugar to the landscape and leisure themes.
Which Aspects Appeal to You?
The walking route is the obvious choice for a short, easy trail that takes in the valley, river and town; the swimming pool brings several water areas together in one place. The school history, in turn, offers a cultural perspective on Laugar. These differences can help you tailor your stay to the experience you want: spending time outdoors, visiting the swimming pool or learning about the history of education.
Discover more destinations: Svalbard, HúsavÃk, GrenivÃk, Hjalteyri, Akureyri, Miðgarðar, Hauganes, Grenjaðarstaður
For the broader travel overview: Northeastern Region.
