Laugavegur Trek & Glacier Hike - 7 Day Tour (Huts)

The journey starts as we pick you up at one of our meeting points in Reykjavik or along the South Coast. We enjoy the scenic drive along the coast before turning inland going past one of Iceland’s most famous and feared volcanoes called Hekla. This active volcano was believed to be the gateway to hell, only adding to the mystique and excitement of this remarkable place. Upon arrival in Landmannalaugar around mid-day, we pack our lunches and lace up our hiking boots for this is where we leave the roads and hit the trails. Landmannalaugar is known for its multicolored mountains, hot springs and fields of lava.

Our path lets us explore Landmannalaugar region, taking us through Laugahraun lava field and Vondugil canyon, past fascinating rhyolite mountains and green valleys. The views along the trail are stunning and are sure to take your breath away. Landmannalaugar will be our resting place for the night. 

Meals included: lunch, refreshments & dinner.

Distance: 8 km / 4.9 mi

Hiking Time: 4 hours

Altitude: Ascent

Altitude value: 470 m / 1540 '

Today, we will first traverse Hrafntinnusker, a flinty obsidian desert. We will continue to hike along the Reykjafjöll mountain to the Jökultungur area and ending in Alftavatn. This glacier surrounded area has even more hot springs and hopefully an ice cave to visit. From the Jökultungur area, we will descend sharply to the green grassy slopes around Álftavatn, but not before stopping at the top to take in the beautiful views. Before reaching Lake Álftavatn we will cross our first river so bring wading shoes or sandals (with straps). In the beautiful surroundings of Lake Álftavatn, we will enjoy a nice dinner together before we spend the night listening to ghost stories in the twilight.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, refreshments & dinner.

Distance: 24 km / 14.9 mi

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Altitude: Ascent

Altitude value: 900 m / 2950 '

Today we set out from lake Álftavatn after a good nights sleep and start our day by wading another stream near the majestic volcano Stórasúla. Ahead is the desert of Mælifellssandur which formed in catastrophic floods 2500 years ago. When making our way to the desert we will pass the memorable mountain volcano Hattafell. This volcano is known for it’s strange looking and green flat top which it takes its name from. We will cross the black glacial desert as we continue to make our way into Emstrur taking in the view of the famous Eyjafjallajökull, the stratovolcano that erupted in 2010 and the beautiful Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. Just by our hut in Botnar we make a stop to explore the vast canyons of Markarfljót river which gores 200 meters deep with red and black walls. The night is spent at Botnar (Emstrur).

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, refreshments & dinner.

Distance: 15 km / 9.5 mi

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours

Altitude: Descent

Altitude value: 40 m / 130 '

Today we start to make our way out of Emstur going through the alluring gorge of Emstruá river where we will cross a narrow bridge with a massive stream of glacial mud. We will pass gorgeous basalt columns and deep canyons as we head south making the landscape even more diverse from what we have seen before on our trail. We will keep the odd looking mountain Einhyrningur on our right side, named after its strange horn. Einhyrningur means Unicorn but some like to refer to the mountain as a Rhino. By afternoon we will reach the breathtakingly beautiful birch forest inside Þórsmörk valley crossing a small glacial river on foot along the way. We spend the night in a hut in Langidalur. The hut is one of the oldest in Thorsmork with the glistening white glacier/volcano of Eyjafjallajökull watching over us. 

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, refreshments & dinner.

Distance: 15 km (9.5 mi)

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours

Altitude: Descent

Altitude value: 300 m / 985 '

We start out from Langidalur across the plains of Krossá. We are heading for Fimmvörðuháls famous for being the starting point of Eyjafjallajökulls glacier volcano eruption in 2010. We will hike into the lush birch forests at Básar heading upwards in the gorge Strákagil along the Kattarhryggir (Cat‘s spine).

We will go towards the new craters Magni and Móði which formed in the eruption in 2010. Þórsmörk valley is named after the pagan thunder god Thor so it was very much in rhythm to name these new craters after his sons Magni and Móði. The craters are at about 1000 meters above sea level which means that we are likely to have to hike through snowfields before reaching them.

It is a truly unforgettable experience to sit at the top of a volcano between two glaciers, Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull. After finishing our adventurous trek, we will stay in a cozy hut in Þórsmörk for the night.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, refreshments & dinner.

Distance: 15 km / 10 mi

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Altitude: Ascent

Altitude value: 800 m / 2600 '

We enjoy a nice breakfast in the hut before heading out on our adventure. Thorsmork is surrounded by endless beauty and multiple hiking trails giving us several options for the day.

On this day, some participants choose to spend the day by the hut, soaking in the surroundings before going back to humanity. Others can choose to hike around the area. Mount Valahnukur is a popular hike located just next to the hut, a fun and short hike with an amazing view of the valley and fantastic photo opportunities.

Once we have indulged in the beautiful landscapes, we head back to Hella by bus, where you will spend the night at a country hotel. Please remind the bus driver that you will be getting off the bus at Hella.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch & refreshments. There are restaurants at Hella where you can get dinner.

Distance: 6 km / 3.5 mi

Hiking Time: ~3 hours

Altitude: Ascent

Altitude value: 275 m / 902 '

Our last day will be spent exploring the most beautiful waterfalls on the South Coast and hiking on the mighty Solheimajokull Glacier. First, enjoy a nice breakfast at your accommodation and then we’ll pick you up in Hella for a day full of adventures.

Discover Skogafoss, one of the largest and most dramatic waterfalls in Iceland. This epic cascade drops an impressive 60 m (197 ft) into a pool below. On sunny days, the waterfall creates single or double rainbows. 

Next, prepare for an epic hike on the brilliant blue Solheimajokull Glacier. Your guide will give you everything you need  — crampons, harness, an ice ax, and a helmet. Together with your guide, hike atop the glistening Solheimajokull. The ice cap is a glacier tongue of Mýrdalsjökul, the fourth-largest glacier in Iceland.

As you trek across the ancient ice, explore sinkholes, crevasses, and jagged ridges. Your guide will tell you all about the glacier and nearby surroundings. Never hiked on a glacier before? Don’t worry. No previous experience is needed to take part in this glacier adventure.

On our way back to Reykjavik, we’ll stop at Seljalandsfoss, the waterfall that you can walk behind. Take a path around the back of Seljalandsfoss and see the thundering cascade from a completely new perspective!

Our day ends in Reykjavik where you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or a nearby location.

Meals included: breakfast. 

Pick up

Meeting points and times in Reykjavik:
Between 7:00 - 7:30 a.m.:

- Reykjavik's City Hall (Ráðhúsið) on Vonarstræti
- Hallgrímskirkja Church
- Reykjavik Campsite

Meeting points outside of Reykjavik:

8:15 a.m. - Selfoss N1 gas station
9:00 a.m. - Hella Bus Terminal

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

Drop off

After the south coast and glacier hike tour on day 7, you will be dropped off at your accommodation in Reykjavik at around 7 - 8 p.m.