Experience some of the most remote, breathtaking scenery in the world. This tour gives you plenty of opportunity to hike across diverse terrain whilst enjoying the stunning rugged beauty of the Icelandic highlands.
Iceland is known for hosting the most diverse landscapes on Earth. The Laugavegur Trail opens up otherworldly landscapes, where you’ll witness all kinds of weather conditions and discover unique geological formations. Cross the 34 miles (55km) from Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork, where you can choose to continue on to Fimmvörðuháls Pass, another 15 mi (25 km) trek. Discover why Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice as you encounter everything from volcanic rock formations, natural hot springs, and black sand deserts.
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The Laugavegur trail is renowned worldwide for its extreme diversity and stark beauty. Starting out in Landmannalaugar, a geothermal rainbow-colored wonderland, it winds through deserts, plains and gorges ending in a lush birch forest in the Thorsmork valley. Dazzling fields of obsidian, red and yellow rhyolite mountains, black sands, and sparkling white glaciers attack the senses as you trek towards the stunning south coast of Iceland.
The trek itself starts in Landmannalaugar, a geothermal wonderland, known worldwide for its multicolored rhyolite mountains and warm hot springs that locals have enjoyed soaking in throughout the centuries. The scenery is breathtaking, while we make our way to the highlands and throughout the 6-day hike where you will be greeted with fields of obsidian, colorful mountains, black sands, hot springs, geysers, sparkling white glaciers, and glacier rivers, elf churches and so much more.
While absorbing all of Iceland’s natural beauty our guides will tell you about these mysterious areas, the landscape, flora, fauna, and folklore tales. You will be guided safely through this magical area we call home, stopping at all the right places to make sure you get the absolute best experience of Laugavegurinn as the locals call the trail.
We spend our nights in mountain huts at beautiful remote locations which we think adds to the charm of the hike. The locations include gorgeous places like Alftavatn, Hrafntinnusker and Thorsmork. In the huts, the guide will, along with the group, prepare great meals to enjoy together in a magical environment and atmosphere. Sometimes we even take an evening stroll to areas off the beaten track to visit some of the enchanting secret places we have been finding in the past years.
At the end of the Laugavegur trail, we find ourselves in Thorsmork, a surprisingly green and fertile valley which is named after the Norse god of thunder Thor. Thor is believed to have struck down his hammer and formed the valley. Thorsmork is nestled at the foot of the glacier Eyjafjallajokull which became world-known in 2010 when it erupted, stopping almost all air traffic to and from Europe. The two new craters that were formed in that eruption were named Magni and Modi after the sons of Thor. These newly formed craters are some of the spectacular things you will see and experience on this 6-day trekking tour.
The tour starts by the Reykjavík tourist info at Reykjavik's City Hall (Ráðhúsið) by Tjörnin pond at 7.00 a.m. where you meet your guide. It's located in downtown Reykjavik and within walking distance from most hotels, hostels and guesthouses in cent...)
The tour starts by the Reykjavík tourist info at Reykjavik's City Hall (Ráðhúsið) by Tjörnin pond at 7.00 a.m. where you meet your guide. It's located in downtown Reykjavik and within walking distance from most hotels, hostels and guesthouses in central Reykjavik. We also offer pick up at selected locations around Reykjavik (see other pick up locations in tour description). After introductions, we board the scheduled bus that takes us to Landmannalaugar. The drive takes about 3-4 hours, on the way we travel along the south coast and then turn inland and pass Iceland's most active volcano, Hekla.
Our hike starts in Landmannalaugar as we walk through this geothermal wonderland and look at the colorful mountains and steaming hot springs. The trail takes us through the rough lava field, Laugahraun. From there we move to the slopes of Brennisteinsalda, which is known worldwide for its incredible spectrums of colors and photogenic looks. We walk by the beautiful hot spring Storihver before crossing into the obsidian desert by Hrafntinnusker. Storihver is one of the very few green grounds we will encounter on this day. We spend the night in the hut in Hrafntinnusker, one of the most remote huts in Iceland.
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Hiking: 4-5 hrs |
Distance: 12km / 7.5mi |
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Ascent: 470m |
Ascent: 1540 ft |
After a communal breakfast in the hut, we head out again and walk along the Reykjafjoll mountains and then descend into the Jokultungur area. The geothermal activity has turned these gullies yellow and red. We will leave the colorful rhyolite mountai...)
After a communal breakfast in the hut, we head out again and walk along the Reykjafjoll mountains and then descend into the Jokultungur area. The geothermal activity has turned these gullies yellow and red. We will leave the colorful rhyolite mountains and enter into an area with dark palagonite mountains and a breathtaking glacier view. If the visibility is good we hike up to Mt. Haskerdingur were the view greets you with countless glaciers, mountains and volcanoes.
During the next steps, the landscape will be a lot greener and you might notice a considerable increase in vegetation. From the top of Jokultungur, there is a great view over the Fjallabak area and lake Alftavatn which is our next overnight stop. The trail down Jokulstungur is rather steep but once you are down you have landed in a fertile paradise on the banks of the river Grashagakvisl. Before reaching Alftavatn we cross an unbridged stream on foot. We spend the night in the hut by the lake.
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Hiking: 4-5 hrs |
Distance: 12km / 7.5mi |
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Descent: 490m |
Descent: 1610 ft |
We start the day with another refreshing stream crossing as we make our way past the green volcano Stórasúla and into the black desert of Maelifellssandur. On our way, we will see Hattafell, a volcano with a strange flat top. We walk through this bla...)
We start the day with another refreshing stream crossing as we make our way past the green volcano Stórasúla and into the black desert of Maelifellssandur. On our way, we will see Hattafell, a volcano with a strange flat top. We walk through this black glacial desert and into Emstrur where there is a chance to enjoy a view of Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers. Emstrur is a lush region where farmers used to graze their sheep during the summertime. Just before reaching the huts in Botnar we turn of the path to look at Markarfljotsgljufur, approximately 200 m deep canyon carved out by the glacial river Markarfljot. The hut in Botnar is in a little green oasis, a welcomed sight after walking through the black sands.
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Hiking: 6-7 hrs |
Distance: 15km / 9.5mi |
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Descent: 40m |
Descent: 130ft |
We put Emstrur behind us and continue on our way to Thorsmork. The trail takes us within a few kilometers from the great Myrdalsjokull glacier. As we descend towards Almenningar a few trees can be seen, a sign we are getting closer to the coast. We w...)
We put Emstrur behind us and continue on our way to Thorsmork. The trail takes us within a few kilometers from the great Myrdalsjokull glacier. As we descend towards Almenningar a few trees can be seen, a sign we are getting closer to the coast. We walk under the characteristic mountain Einhyrningur (“The Unicorn”) and into the dense birch forest in Thorsmork. Thorsmork is a green valley nesting under the glaciers Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull, a magnificent place to spend the night.
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Hiking: 6-7 hrs |
Distance: 15km / 9.5mi |
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Descent: 300m |
Descent: 985ft |
Today we leave Thorsmork early in the morning and head for the mountain pass between the two glaciers, Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull. We will walk up to the two new craters formed in 2010, Magni and Modi, named after the sons of Thor. On the way...)
Today we leave Thorsmork early in the morning and head for the mountain pass between the two glaciers, Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull. We will walk up to the two new craters formed in 2010, Magni and Modi, named after the sons of Thor. On the way, we pass by a formation of lava in a waterfall shape made in the eruption. Here you have a chance to see how Iceland is still being built, formed and shaped by its nature. We will be greeted with a fantastic view over the valley. We spend the night in Thorsmork and have a GOOD BYE party while enjoying a traditional Icelandic grilled Lamb for dinner.
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Hiking: 7-8 hrs |
Distance: 16km / 10mi |
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Ascent: 800m |
Ascent: 2600ft |
In the morning we have a leisurely breakfast in the hut before going out to explore the amazing surroundings. The volcanos Katla and Eyjafjallajokull surround the Thorsmork valley, for thousands of years these volcanoes and the glaciers that cover th...)
In the morning we have a leisurely breakfast in the hut before going out to explore the amazing surroundings. The volcanos Katla and Eyjafjallajokull surround the Thorsmork valley, for thousands of years these volcanoes and the glaciers that cover them, have carved the sandstone in Thorsmork into surreal sculptures dotted with moss and arctic birch trees. We hike up the mountain Valahnukur for a fantastic view over the valley. Those who wish can also simply spend the day relaxing and enjoying nature in this beautiful place. We return to Reykjavik in the early evening at around 18:30 and offer drop off at Miklabraut 101 Orkan gas station (by Kringlan shopping mall), Reykjavik Campsite and the City Hall on Vonarstræti. From there taxis and local buses are available.
We also offer drop off at Hveragerði N1 gas station, Selfoss N1 gas station and Hella bus terminal on the way back to Reykjavik. Please inform the guide on the tour if you wish to get off at one of these places.
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Hiking: 3 hrs |
Distance: 6km / 3.5mi |
Information Package & Equipment List Pick up & Drop off Information: Pick-up time: 07:00 am in front of the Tourist Information Center at Reykjavík’s City Hall on Vonarstræti or at one of our other meeting points by arrangement. Meeting points an...)
Pick-up time: 07:00 am in front of the Tourist Information Center at Reykjavík’s City Hall on Vonarstræti or at one of our other meeting points by arrangement.
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.
Drop off: Please check the tour itinerary for drop off points and times.
