Hiking in Laugavegur Valley and South Coast

Things to know

• Covid measures in Iceland

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures on Laugavegur Trail, Iceland, please visit the official Government of Iceland and Official Information about Covid in Iceland websites.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • An experienced, English-speaking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • Mountain hut accommodation in dormitories
  • Kitchen and all needed cooking equipment
  • Meals as indicated by the itinerary
  • Transport at the beginning and end of trek
  • Transfer of luggage

  If you have any special dietary supplements, such as vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten free or other supplements, we strongly suggest that you purchase the special food extra. Please let us know prior to booking to make arrangements. 

  All of the huts are heated, some have electricity and some have hot water. They have bunk rooms with single and twin beds. Participants have to be prepared to share a bunk with other travelers from the group.

  What’s not included:

  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary 
  • Sleeping bag (can be rented from the guide)
  • Showers in huts (payable on site)
  • Transportation to and from Iceland
  • Accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the tour
• How fit do I need to be?

  For this adventure, you need to be able to hike for full days, carrying a daypack full of your gear. Each day you will hike between four and seven hours. On top of that, volcanic terrain can be challenging and the weather unforgiving. That said, if you are looking for adventure and up to the task of multiple days of full-day trekking, you’ll be rewarded immensely. 

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • A duffel bag for the transport of your overnight gear between huts 
  • Day backpack for extra clothes and lunch pack during the day (around a 25-40L bag)
  • Sleeping bag (a basic sleeping bag with no specific temperature rating is sufficient for this trek since all the huts are heated) — can be rented from the guide
  • Small thermal mat to sit on — optional
  • Hiking poles — optional
  • Gaiters  — optional but recommended for departures in June and early July
  • Gloves – wool or synthetic 2 pairs of different thickness
  • Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – wool or synthetic
  • T-shirt (thermal underwear) – wool or synthetic
  • Light wool or fleece sweater (2nd layer)
  • Warm, down jacket
  • Puffy jacket e.g. Primaloft — optional
  • Jacket with a good hood – windproof, waterproof and breathable, e.g. Gore-Tex or comparable
  • Soft-shell trousers – strong and light material that dries quickly
  • Rain trousers – windproof, waterproof and breathable — full raingear is mandatory in Iceland, poncho is not useful because of wind
  • Socks – wool or synthetic
  • Change of clothes for wearing in the hut
  • Sunhat
  • Wool hat
  • Sturdy hiking boots – waterproof with good ankle support
  • River shoes – walking sandals or old running shoes with a good grip are a good choice, along with a pair of warm socks or neoprene socks
  • Comfortable shoes for the mountain huts 
  • Quick dry towel – lightweight and packable
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  • Pocket knife
  • Aperitif or other heart-warming spirits (liquor laws in Iceland prohibit the sale of alcohol) — optional
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Sunglasses
  • Earplugs
  • Portable power bank
  • Dry-bags for electronics and extra clothing — optional
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  There is a limit of 1 piece of luggage per participant that can weigh up to 20 kg (+ your day backpack). The main luggage is transported between huts by a support vehicle provided by the guide.

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. Iceland is home to infamously unpredictable weather, so you need to be prepared with the right gear. 

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• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • The group size for this hiking tour is usually 6 to 16 guests.
  • Pricing is per person, and the cost does not decrease as your group grows.

  If your hiking party is larger than six people, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements. 

  Min. age requirements:

  • Anyone over the age of 18 can join these day-hiking tours
  • Minors as young as 14 may be allowed to join a hike on a case-by-case basis.

  If you plan to hike with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to the Laugavegur Trail, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF) — about three and a half hours away from the trailhead. You can take a bus or a taxi to Reykjavik, where you’ll join your guides that will transport you to the trailhead. 

  There are several possible meeting locations in Reykjavik: Reykjavik’s City Hall, Hallgrimskirkja or Reykjavik Campsite. After joining your guides, a scenic 3 to 4-hour drive is the only thing separating you from your hiking adventure!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. For last-minute bookings, the remaining amount is paid as soon as the trip is confirmed by the guide. Once the trip is confirmed, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

  In case you need to cancel the trip, the following cancellation costs would be incurred:

  – 100% of the price of the trip is refundable before the group is guaranteed

  – 70% of the tour price is refundable if canceled 8 weeks or more before departure, once the trip has been confirmed

  – 50% of the tour price is refundable if canceled less than 8 and more than 4 weeks before departure

  – 0% of the price of the trip if it is canceled less than 4 weeks before departure.

  All policies regarding cancellation will be clearly laid out by your guide after booking your adventure.