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This incredible tour includes the very best of what Iceland has to offer. Amazing sights on the South Coast, hiking trail
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Listed among the top 25 treks in the world by the National Geographic. On the first day, you will have to wake up early for a 7 am pick-up and leave civilization. We will take on rough roads when we enter the magnificent Icelandic Highlands, Iceland’s largest uninhabited wilderness. We will drive to Landmannalaugar, a geothermal wonderland, where we will leave the bus behind and start our 6-day trek across the Highlands from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk.
Our path leads through vast lava fields and fields of obsidian, up and down red, brown, yellow, and blue mountains. We will climb a snow-capped peak before descending into a green valley. We will wander across black deserts and walk along thrilling canyons in the shadows of sparkling glaciers. We will stop at new places each night while hiking from hut to hut. Our luggage will be taken care of so we will not have to carry everything with us, only the most important equipment needed will come with us during the hike between the huts.
The Laugavegur Trek ends in a lush, green valley called Thorsmork, “Thor’s Forest”. It is nestled between three glaciers, one of which is the famous glacier-capped volcano, Eyjafjallajökull. On the fifth day, the hike will take you up to the new craters that were formed during the Eyjafjallajökull eruption of 2010. We will walk over the young ground of the Fimmvörðuhals mountain pass. In nice weather, we will have a magnificent view across half of the Highlands. It has an unimaginable beauty that will surely enchant your mind!
The sixth day is our last day in the Icelandic wilderness. We will decide together the itinerary of the day. We can either explore the area of the volcanoes Katla and Eyjafjallajokull that are located nearby or go for another scenic hike in Thorsmörk. At the end of the day, we will leave the Highlands behind and return to civilization. We will spend the night in Hella, a small village on the South Coast.
On the seventh day, we will join a tour along Iceland’s South Coast. This day will be more relaxing but no less beautiful. During this nature sightseeing trip, you will see two of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. To serve as proper closure for this amazing adventure, we will strap on crampons and climb up a thrilling glacier! After our long day, we will return to Reykjavík and spend the night in a hotel.
For the final day of our adventure, we will explore the natural attractions of the famous Golden Circle tour route. This will lead us around Iceland’s most well-known geological features: the geothermal zone with its spouting geysers, an enormous waterfall, and the site where we will be able to walk along the car drop-off between the tectonic plates. We will visit a geothermal hot pool called the Secret Lagoon where we can soak and relax. After the full-day tour, we will head back to Reykjavík to one of preferred our drop-off locations.
Get ready for the adventure through the highlands of Iceland with our trekking guide:
Laugavegur Trek Information Package
On our first day, you will have to wake up early for a 7 - 7:30 am pick-up at a location that you have chosen from our list. We will leave civilization and head directly towards the magnificent Highlands, Iceland’s largest uninhabited wilderness.
The drive to Landmannalaugar, the starting point of the hike, takes about 3-4 hours. The journey will be highly scenic as we will pass by the magnificent volcano Hekla. It is the most active volcano in Iceland, having erupted every 10-15 years throughout the last century. Today, there are no eruptions, but Hekla is still fascinating. From here, the unearthly landscape of the endless tundra awaits us.
Arriving in Landmannalaugar, we will leave our bus behind. The Laugavegur Trail starts in Landmannalaugar, in the geothermal wonderland of a nature reserve called Fjallabak, “Mountain’s Back”. There is a basecamp here with restrooms and a covered dining area. After eating a few bites, we will start our six-day trek across the Highlands.
Landmannalaugar is the starting point for the Laugavegur trail. We will make our way through the Laugahraun lava field and Vondugil canyon. We will also admire the incredibly vibrant colors of the rhyolite mountains, most notably Mt. Brennisteinsalda. On the way back to our accommodation for our first night at Landmannlaugar, we will see the Graenagil gorge and climb up to Blahnukur Volcano if time allows.
Distance: 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) / Walking Time: 4-5 hours / Ascent: 470 meters (1,540 feet).
Our second day will start with a nutritious breakfast. With full bellies and fully energized, we will hit the path again and descend from the snowy peak into a green valley. En route, we will pass the colorful Reykjafjöll rhyolite mountains and the Jökultungur area where the geothermal activity contrasts with the soft pale sandy hues and the green meadows of the valley. In good weather, we will have beautiful views over the whole Fjallabak area and of Álftavatn Lake, where we will be spending the night.
The lake is located in a protected green valley. Before arriving at our accommodation, we will have to cross a river on foot. This will be a very exciting experience for everyone! The water is extremely chilly, but is usually not too deep (up to the knee or thigh) and is safe to cross. We will help each other while our experienced, professional guide assists us.
This second hut is bigger than the first and has a spacious kitchen and dining area. After a good dinner, everyone will have the option of walking around the area if the weather is good.
Distance: 24 kilometers (14.9 miles) / Walking Time: 4-5 hours / Descent: 490 meters (1,610 feet).
The next day, after an energizing breakfast, we will start our day by wading across another stream. By now, we will be experienced stream crossers! The next part of the trail is quite flat and easy. We will pass by the incredibly scenic Stórasúla and Hattafell volcanoes. Their hills are covered by green moss which allows them to stand out stunningly from the surrounding black, rocky desert.
On our way to our next destination, Emstrur, in clear weather, we will get absolutely outstanding vistas of the nearby volcano-glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. As we approach the hut, a green oasis unfolds in the midst of the black sand desert on the side of a stunning 200-meter (656 foot) deep glacier river canyon. The hut is located by the side of a small stream, in an idyllic location.
Distance: 15 kilometers (9.5 miles) / Walking Time: 6-7 hours / Descent: 40 meters (130 feet)
On the fourth day, we will hike the last leg of the Laugavegur Trek. We will start by walking along the mighty gorge of Almenningar and then pass by a jaw-dropping mountain which looks resembles a unicorn, called Mount Einhyrningur (“the Unicorn Mountain”).
The view of two glaciers will stay with us for many kilometers until we arrive in the lush vegetation of the valley where the hike ends. As we get closer, the vegetation will start to change and bushes and small trees will begin to appear here and there until we find ourselves in a characteristic birch forest. The name of Þórsmörk Valley means “Thor’s Forest”. The region deserves this name as its beautiful woodlands make it look like something from a fairytale.
Our accommodation will be in a hut in the heart of the valley surrounded by green mossy slopes beneath the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. This is the official end of the world-famous Laugavegur Trail.
Distance: 15 kilometers (9.5 miles) / Walking Time: 6-7 hours / Descent: 300 meters (985 feet)
On the fifth day, we will take on the most demanding - but perhaps the most scenic - leg of our trek. We will hike up to the magnificent Fimmvörðuháls Pass. The path leads from the valley along a steep path up to a broad plateau. The view all along the way is just unimaginable, jagged, mossy slopes and the scenic, green valley. As we climb higher, in good weather, we will able to see all of the scraggy mountain ranges, snowy peaks, and glaciers that surround us from every direction.
A famous mountain pass lies between the Mýrdalajökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers, the latter covering the infamous volcano that erupted in 2010. We will visit the two new volcanic craters, Magni and Móði, which were formed during the Eyjafjallajökull eruption of 2010. Magni and Móði are named after the sons of the Norse god Þór (Thor), their names mean strong and brave. The scenery from here is absolutely mind-blowing!
After reaching the peaks of the craters, we will take the same path to return to Thórsmörk. On the way back, we will face the valley again and will be able to enjoy the scenery for the second time, even more so as we are walking down.
Here we can wish each other congratulations for completing the Laugavegur & Fimmvörduháls Hike, which was chosen one of 20 Best Hikes in the World by the National Geographic!
Distance: 16 kilometers (10 miles) / Walking Time: 7-8 hours / Ascent: 800 meters (2,600 feet)
The final day in the Icelandic wilderness will allow us to be more flexible. We will decide together the itinerary of the day. We can either explore the area of the volcanoes Katla and Eyjafjallajokull that are located nearby.
Or, we could also choose to hike up the Valahnukur Mountain, the most spectacular viewpoint over Thorsmork valley. It is also possible to simply stay in Thorsmork and relax. We can even divide into smaller groups and explore something else.
After our day in Thórsmörk, we will leave the Highlands behind and return to civilization. We will spend the night in a country hotel in Hella where we will probably sleep like babies.
After our exhausting multi-day trek adventure, we will nicely have enough time to sleep in a bit as we will be picked up at around 9:30 to 10 am on our seventh day. This day will be more relaxing - but not a bit less beautiful - as we will tour Iceland’s spectacular South Coast.
During our nature sightseeing trip, we will visit the two most famous waterfalls in Iceland, Skógafoss, and Seljalandsfoss. They are located a half an hour’s drive from each other and are both approximately 60 meters (196 feet) high.
Seljalandsfoss is narrower but offers visitors the opportunity to walk behind its beautiful cascade. Skógafoss has an impressive width of 24 meters (78 feet) and we can walk up close to its base to feel its spray on our faces!
As the adventurous closure for our nature sightseeing road trip, we will strap on crampons and climb up a thrilling glacier! We will take a hike across the surface of the ancient ice and explore the glacier’s surreal formations, deep crevasses, and ice sculptures.
A professional glacier guide will be with us and will tell us about the history and geology of the area as well as about the features of the glaciers in general. After our long day, we will head back to Reykjavík where we will spend the night in a hotel.
For the final day of our adventure, we will explore the splendid natural attractions offered by the famous Golden Circle route. We will pick you up at around 8:00 am and head towards the heart of the country. The Golden Circle tour route leads us around Iceland’s most well-known geological features: the geothermal zone with its spouting geysers, an enormous waterfall, and the site where we can walk along the crack between the tectonic plates.
Our first stop will be at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, Icelandic history and great geological wonders come together, making this place one of Iceland’s most interesting sites. Thingvellir was the location of the first parliament in the world which was founded at around 930 AD. Moreover, the national park is most famous for having a rugged rift valley full of thrilling cracks in the zone where the tectonic plate boundaries move apart.
The next stop on our tour is the famous Geysir geothermal area. Here, we will enter the highly active geothermal field where the steaming ground, bubbling hot springs, and geysers will surround us. The main attraction of the site is Strokkur Geyser, which is famous for spouting water up 20-40 meters (65-131 feet) every 5-8 minutes.
Our third stop on the tour will be a gigantic waterfall called Gullfoss. According to the World of Waterfalls, this is one of the top ten best waterfalls in the world. It is no wonder why. The mighty fall drops a total of 32 meters (105 feet) in two stages as it flows through the rugged canyon, which at times can be 70 meters (229 feet) high itself. The first drop is 11 meters (36 feet) and the second is 21 meters (69 feet), making this waterfall exceptionally impressive.
After exploring Iceland’s absolute must-visit places, we will head to a geothermal hot pool called the Secret Lagoon which we can soak in and relax while hot springs and mini geysers surround us. After the full day tour, we will head back to Reykjavík where you will be dropped off.
We have a maximum of 16 participants on the hut tour. The group size just depends on how many bookings for each departure.
Yes, we recommend to bring a water bottle that you can then fill with the tap water at the huts/campsites. It’s perfectly safe to drink and delicious. There are also several streams along where people tend to get more water from. It’s safe just ask the guide.
We always recommend our participants to use gaiters. The weather in Iceland can be quite wet so the trails subsequently get wet as well. They are not necessary but do help a lot and keep you from getting drenched when the rain starts to pour.
We recommend bringing hiking poles on the trek. However, they are not necessary and it depends on your personal preference. Many people prefer to have them for the river crossings and if you are used to hiking with poles then you should bring a pair with you. It’s also possible to rent a pair from us in the booking process.
Showers are found in every hut/campsite. Using the showers costs 500 ISK and can be paid for at the warden’s hut at each hut/campsite.
The WC have toilet paper and soap for washing your hands. Anything else you might need for example shampoo, bandages, towels, washcloths, nail clippers etc. you will need to bring with you.
There are no power outlets in the huts that are accessible to travelers. We encourage bringing your own power bank on the tour (you can pack that in your duffel bag which is transported by the support vehicle). In some cases, you can buy small portable chargers at the huts as well, but they are not always available.
The huts are shared. They have dormitories with single and twin bunk beds so do be prepared to share a room with your fellow travelers.
The main luggage is transported between huts by a support vehicle provided by us. You will only need to carry a smaller day backpack with your lunch, water bottle, medication, sunglasses, river crossing shoes, rain gear, and other items or clothing you might need for the day.
There is a limit of 1 piece of luggage for each participant that can weigh up to 20 kg (+ your day backpack). Since there is limited space on the luggage trailer we kindly ask that you try to pack light out of consideration to other passengers on the tour. If you have extra luggage that you would like to leave, we recommend storing luggage at the BSI Bus terminal (fees apply) or another luggage storage space in Reykjavik.
The supported car will need to cross rivers to get between huts so we recommend a waterproof duffel bag since your luggage can get wet along the way. We also recommend that you put dry clothing and items in a plastic bag.
Our standard menu includes milk products, fish, nuts, meat and bread so if you are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, have allergies or have other specific food preferences then we strongly suggest that you purchase the special food extra. This will help us in supplying the best meals possible for everyone.
Yes, you can rent a sleeping bag from us. You can purchase the rental when booking the tour OR you can add it to your booking at least 2 days before the tour starts. If you rent a sleeping bag, please bring a sleeping bag liner.
Please note that a sleeping bag cannot be rented once you are on the tour.
The only information we would appreciate from you is whether you have any medical issues we should be aware of.
IF you have any food restrictions, then please have a look at our Special Food Extra.
There is no WiFi in the huts but there are spots along the trail and by the huts where you can get 3G/4G connections. However, the connection is very flaky so we don’t really count on it.
The meals are prepared by all participants, guides and the team. Although the guide is usually the leader on the project this can go all ways. We have found that this brings the group together and makes a nice, fun and cozy atmosphere. Make food and friends at the same time.
