Laugavegur Trail – 4 days in Huts

The famous Laugavegur trail, takes you from the geothermal wonderland of Landmannalaugar to the birch forests of Þórsmörk. This four-day trekking tour in Iceland is the perfect hike for nature lovers. This is an ancient trekking trail, where you will discover legendary places and stunningly majestic scenery of the rugged Icelandic highlands.

You will have to choose whether you would like to sleep in tents or mountain huts for this tour. Please see two different booking machines.  

Day 1: Reykjavik - Landmannalaugar
The drive to Landmannalaugar will take about 3-4 hours, first of all along the south coast and then up into the highlands where we will spend the next few days. The journey itself is fascinating and scenic, taking us by the magnificent volcano mountain, Hekla, the most active volcano in Iceland. This volcano said by many Europeans in the Middle Ages to be ‘The Gateway to Hell’ has erupted every 10 – 15 years throughout the last century. Landmannalaugar is where we will start the Laugavegur trail which will take us through incredibly varied landscapes all the way to Þórsmörk (Thorsmork), a tender green valley with Arctic birch forests.

Landmannalaugar is the starting point of our 4-day adventure. It all begins with Laugahraun lava field and Vondugil canyon. They day gets even more exciting when you first see the incredibly vibrant colors of the rhyolite mountains, most notably Mt. Brennisteinsalda. We will spend our first night at Landmannalaugar. On the way there, we will see the Graenagil gorge, a green canyon that will take your breath away, and climb up to Blahnukur Volcano if time allows.

We enjoy a delicious dinner, get to know one another better and relax in the beauty and peace of nature.

Distance: 8km (4.9 mi)
Walking time: 4 hrs
Elevation gain: 470 m (1540 ft)

Day Highlights
Landmannalaugar
Mount Brennisteinsalda

Day 2: Landmannalaugar – Hrafntinnusker – Alftavatn
The second day of your Laugavegur trail, begins with a nourishing breakfast before we take our hiking shoes on again and start the walk.

The first major point of interest today is Hrafntinnusker, a black obsidian desert. On the way there we will see the hot spring Stórihver (meaning the large spring).

The vibrantly colored Reykjafjöll rhyolite mountains and the Jökultungur area are also at the top of the agenda today. Geothermal activity has turned these craggy gullies into burnt, and sometimes vivid yellows and reds over time, these colors contrasting dramatically with the soft pale sand-toned peaks around them. The top of Jökultungur is a marvelous place to enjoy stupendous views over the whole Fjallabak (behind the mountain) area and Álftavatn, the lake close to the mountain hut where we will be accommodated for the night. To get there we have to cross a river on bare foot, this is a very refreshing experience. We relax with a great dinner and enjoy the beautiful vistas which surround us.

Hiking: 24km (14.9 mi)
Walking time: 7-8 hrs
Ascent: 900 m (2952 ft)

Day Highlights
Hrafntinnusker
Stóri Hver hot spring
Mount Reykjafjöll
Jökultungur area
Fjallabak area
Álftavatn Lake

Day 3: Álftavatn - Emstrur
After a good night's sleep and an energizing breakfast, we're ready to set off again.  

We'll begin our journey by wading across another stream as we proceed onto Mælifellssandur. We will pass the Stórasúla and Hattafell volcanoes on our way to Emstrur.

If we are lucky and have good visibility, there will be outstanding views of two very famous volcano mountain glaciers, Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull. These ominous twins have delivered some fantastic reminders of the power of nature. Eyjafjallajökull is the volcano whose eruptive power sent ash soaring to 30,000 ft, severely disrupting air traffic in 2010, and Mýrdalsjökull shrouds the much feared and capricious Katla under its ice cap.

On our way to Botnar, a green oasis amid a black sand desert area, we will see Markarfljótsgljúfur, a stunning 200 m deep canyon fashioned by a glacial river. Your mountain hut accommodation will be situated in this area.

We'll enjoy our final evening together with dinner and the spectacular scenery.

Hiking: 15km (9,5 mi)
Walking time: 6-7 hrs
Ascent: 40 m (130 ft

Day Highlights
Black sand deserts
Volcano views
Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glacier views
Markarfljótsgljúfur canyon

Day 4: Emstrur – Thorsmork – Reykjavik
After our final breakfast together at the mountain hut, we leave the Emstrur area and continue along the trail to Þórsmörk. As we go through the Almenningar, a picturesque gorge by Mount Einhyrningur (the Unicorn Mountain), we will still have a great view of the glaciers as we advance towards Þórsmörk. As we get closer the landscape and nature will change, a few trees begin to appear here and there, setting the tone for the characteristic dense birch forest for which Þórsmörk is famous. You can now celebrate your completion of the world famous Laugavegur Trail!

Distance: 15km (9.5 mi)
Walking time: 6-7 hrs
Descent: 300 m (985 ft)

Day Highlights
Emstrur
Þórsmörk Valley
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

One final highlight, on the way back to Reykjavík you will get a glimpse of the elegant waterfall, Seljalandsfoss. That is the waterfall which you can walk behind.

Accommodation is in mountain huts. Your guide organizes the meals but assistance from participants is expected. You will meet people from all over the world – enjoy being part of the friendly team!

What to bring

• Thermal underwear (top and bottom), at least two sets of shirts
• Wool or fleece thermal mid layer
• Hiking pants
• Waterproof and breathable pants and jacket
• Wool/fleece hat
• At least one pair of gloves
• 2 to 3 pairs of thick socks
• Waterproof hiking boots
• Sleeping bag and travel pillow
• Sun glasses
• Sunscreen / after sun cream
• Travel sack for your baggage that is transported between huts/campsites
• Day backpack, 25-40 L
• River crossing shoes (old sneakers or similar for fording rivers)
• Health supplies and prescription medicine
• Personal medical kit to include personal medication
• 1-2 liter water bottle
• Towel

Meeting points and times in Reykjavik:
7:00 a.m. Tourist Information Center at Reykjavik’s City Hall (Ráðhúsið) on Vonarstræti
7:15 a.m. Hallgrímskirkja Church
7:30 a.m. Reykjavik Campsite

Meeting points outside of Reykjavik:
8:35 a.m. Selfoss N1 gas station
9:15 a.m. Hella- Bus Terminal

*Note that it can take up to 30 minutes before the bus departs the given locations.

If clients formally cancel their participation of this tour:
15% of the tour price is non-refundable.
50% of tour price is refunded if cancelled more than 14 days prior to departure.
0% of tour price is refunded if cancelled less than 14 days prior to departure.