Five day trekking tour on the Laugavegur hiking trail in the southern interior of Iceland. Trip difficulty: 3+ out of 5 possible. Rated: Challenging
From Landmannalaugar Hot Springs to Þórsmörk glacier valley Jeep assisted hike in breathtaking nature. Accommodation in tents.
The Laugavegur hiking trail is the most popular route through the wild Icelandic Highland, one of last untouched wilderness areas in Europe. There are very few places in the world that offer such diverse landscapes and scenic views. On the trek there are colorful rhyolite mountains, huge and rugged glaciers, screaming hot springs, rivers of every shape and size, peaceful lakes, narrow ridges, immense waterfalls, deep canyons and panoramic views of the North Atlantic Ocean.
This trek truly has it all!
Check out our environmental and social policy by clicking here! Price 2012: 135.990 ISK per person. Minimum 4 people.
-Special 2012 offer, 120.000 ISK per person with minimum 6 people on the 18th of June, 25th of June and 27th of August, 3rd and 10th of September. You can add one of our great value multi adventure tours to your trekking for an unbeatable Iceland vacation. Click the icons for more.
Guaranteed departures 2012: 18th of June International dept.
-Special Offer: 120.000 ISK. 25th of June International dept.
-Special Offer: 120.000 ISK. 2nd of July International & French dept.
9th of July International dept.
16th of July International & German dept.
23 of July International dept.
30th of July International & German dept.
6th of August International dept.
13th of August International dept.
20th of August International dept.
27th of August Intern. & Spanish dept.
-Special Offer: 120.000 ISK. 3rd of September Intern.& French dept.
-Special Offer: 120.000 ISK. 10th of September International dept.
-Special Offer: 120.000 ISK. Private departures available up on request.
Rough itinerary: Day 1: Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar
Day 2: Landmannalaugar - Álftavatn
24 km Day 3: Álftavatn - Emstrur (Botnar)
16 km Day 4: Emstrur (Botnar) – Þórsmörk
15 km Day 5: Þórsmörk – Reykjavík
Total trekking distance: 55 kilometers
See detailed itinerary below. Included in price: Guiding, transfer from/to Reykjavík by bus, jeep transfer for food, transfer of equipment between campsites, food for 5 days (except breakfast on day one and dinner the last day), tents & cooking gear.
Minimum: 4 persons. Maximum: 12 persons per guide.
Bring with you: Click here to see the equipment list. Sleeping bag and mattress can be rented from us if you let us know in advance.
NOTE: Once you book this trip you will recieve a detailed equipment list via e-mail.
Gear rental: You can rent a sleeping bag from us for 1.500 ISK per day and a mattress for 1.000 ISK per day. You can rent both for 10.000 ISK for the whole trip. Please let us know in advance if you need to rent the gear.
Click here for details on our cancellation policy. Detailed itinerary: Day 1 The trip starts with a pick up from your hotel in Reykjavík at 08:30-09:00, we will have a quick briefing regarding equipment and the trip before we head out of Reykjavik. On our journey to Landmannalaugar we will do some sightseeing, since the road to Þjórsárdalur valley offers some beautiful lan From there we will drive towards the highlands, passing Mt. Hekla, the most active volcano in Iceland. It last erupted in the year 2000 so we’re holding our breath and soon expecting a new and powerful burst from this mountain, which has been called the gateway to hell. We will have lunch at some point on our journey, depending on time and weather. Before we arrive in Landmannalaugar (approx. 600 m above sea level) we will make a stop at Ljótipollur crater and hope for a great view over the highlands, spotting Iceland´s biggest glaciers. In Landmannalaugar we will spend an afternoon exploring the area and relaxing in the naturally warm river that runs beside the campsite. So make sure you bring your swim wear! Day 2 First section: Landmannalaugar - Álftavatn
Distance: 24 km
Estimated travelling time: 8-10 hrs
Vertical alteration: ~900 m
We start our Laugarvegur journey early morning in Landmannalaugar. From the mountain hut by the campsite we stroll through the rough lava field of Laugahraun. From there on up the beautiful hills by the colorful mountain Brennisteinsalda and onto a plateau. The colors in this part are out of this world. Ancient rivers and streams mark the land so we will be going in and out of small gullies quite a lot. At this point we have reached a rather high altitude and therefore you can expect snow piles that we’ll have to traverse. At Hrafntinnusker there is a mountain hut where we can have lunch if the weather is bad. Lots of obsidian scattered around gives the place mystic appearance. When the weather permits the view from the hut is amazing. Above 1000 m there is nothing much but bare rocks and wasteland, the immense Icelandic highland desert. Along the hills of Reykjafjöll we continue walking through gullies until we get to Jökultungur. There are some changes in the landscape and we face dark tuff mountains and glaciers. We also start to see some stubborn plants scattered around. We decent down some steep slopes into a green oasis, which is a pleasant contrast after the rough landscapes behind us. From there the walk to a campsite at the northern shore of lake Álftavatn is easy.
Day 3 Second section: Álftavatn-Emstrur (Botnar)
Distance: 16 km
Estimated travelling time: 6-7 hrs
Vertical alteration: ~40 m
After yesterdays long journey this is going to be an easy and pleasant day. We cross Brattháls hill and head east for Hvanngil gorge. There we have to cross Bratthálskvísl River on foot. Soon after that we get to Kaldaklofskvísl that we cross via bridge. From there we head for the hut and campsite of Emstrur and on our way we cross the river of Bláfjallakvísl. Yeah, we’re sure going to give our feet a refreshing wash today. We cross between two sandy hills and soon after that we’ll see our destination for the night. If people are up for a nice evening walk after dinner we can take a peek at the unbelievable Markarfjlótsgljúfur canyon. The canyon is 200 meters deep and through it flows the powerful Markarfjót River.
Day 4 Third section: Emstrur (Botnar) - Þórsmörk
Distance: 15 km
Estimated traveling time: 6-7 hrs
Vertical alteration: ~300 m
The day starts with a crooked path down to Syðri Emstruá River which we’ll cross on a bridge. While crossing the river we’ll have to be very careful, as this is one of the riskiest places on the way. After our heroic crossing we’ll head south to an area called Almenningar. The landscape now starts to change once again and we’ll be seeing peaceful streams covered in arctic birch and flowers. More refreshing river crossing, a bit more demanding than before (Þröngá) is necessary but that’s fine because we’ll be experts by then. On the other side of this river we have left Almenningar behind and entered Þórsmörk valley. From there we have a 40 min walk to Langidalur hut in Þórsmörk and from there on to Básar hut where we’ll spend the night. This part is wonderful as vegetation has spread over the area and Þórsmörk is undeniably one of the pearls of Icelandic nature.
Day 5 Our last day is more flexible. You can sleep in and relax your tired bones and muscles after the 56km long hike, enjoying the magnificent Þórsmörk valley, named after Thor the Norse God of Thunder. We will head back to Reykjavík around noon, getting you there around dinner time where we will drop you off at your accommodation in Reykjavík. In the morning we recommend hiking around to further experience this glacier valley, cornered in by three glaciers, offering a unique composition of glaciers, rocks and wood. Your guide will take you on a short hike, aiming for some 500m high mountain, Mt. Valahnúkur, for a breathtaking view of the whole area and the glaciers.
Please Note: This is a escorted trek, that means that we will transfer your luggage from one campsite to the next in our super jeeps. Your luggage will have to be waterproof, dust proof and rainproof since these transfers are on rugged, dusty and wet mountain tracks. The jeep will even have to cross several rivers every day with the escort trailer. So if make sure you pack your electronics, and other items that are vulnerable to hardships, well. It is your responsibility to pack your luggage right and Arctic Adventures does not take responsibility for any of your belongings on a escorted trek.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the Laugavegur trek Disclaimer: All hiking trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for accidents which are caused by its customers or can be traced to there own actions. Participants may have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherit risk.