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Welcome to the wild Highlands of Iceland, where every corner feels unreal. While everyone keeps talking about the Laugavegur Trail, we’ll slip away to the most hidden of the hidden gems: the Dalastigur Trek. Forget about the trodden (or even marked!) paths—this is a 4-day, 45-mile hut-to-hut adventure that’ll have you believing in magic. From vibrant mountains to jet-black lava fields; from hills draped in emerald moss to canyons speckled with geothermal vents. Let’s not forget the red waterfall. Yes, it’s a thing! And just when you think it can’t get any better, bam! We’ll be treated to panoramic views of three of Iceland’s mightiest glaciers. With every detail planned, this adventure will be a seamless experience from pickup to drop-off in Reykjavik. Ready to dive deep into uncharted territory? Let’s do it!

Adventure highlights

  • Hidden gem of the hidden gems

    Don’t settle for famous trails like Laugavegur—head deep into uncharted territory of Iceland’s Highlands

  • Do you believe in magic?

    After seeing jet black lava fields, colorful mountains, mossy hills, and a red waterfall, you certainly will!

  • Seamless experience

    Fully enjoy every moment, knowing that every detail has been planned, ensuring a smooth adventure from start to finish in Reykjavik

Itinerary

This is an unforgettable 4-day hut-to-hut adventure through the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland's wild Highlands on the Dalastigur Trek. We’ll trek from Landmannalaugar to Landmannahellir hut, with vibrant mountains and glacier views. We’ll continue to Dalakofinn hut for waterfalls and more panoramic vistas, then to Hungurfit hut through majestic canyons. Having experienced diverse and otherworldly landscapes, we’ll finish the tour at Mosi. The adventure includes mountain hut accommodations, meals, and convenient transportation from and back to Reykjavik. Get ready to be immersed in the untouched beauty of Iceland!

  • Our adventure begins in Reykjavík with pickup from your hotel or a designated bus stop at 8:30 am. Our group will then head to Landmannalaugar, famous for its colorful mountains, hot springs, and lava fields, where we’ll hike the first part of the Laugavegur trail through the Laugahraun Lava. The excitement begins once our group steers off the beaten path and towards the Landmannahellir hut where we’ll spend the first night. The hike starts in Landmannalaugar at approximately 1,970 ft (600 m) altitude and ends in similar altitude in Landmannahellir hut: the highest peak on this day’s trek is at 2,700 ft (823 m), with spectacular views in good weather. Ideally, it’s possible to see the three biggest glaciers in Iceland all at the same time: Vatnajökull Glacier, Langjökull Glacier and Hofsjökull glacier.

    Meals: Lunch and dinner
    Hiking: 11.8 miles (19 km) / 8 hours

    Alftavatn lake in Iceland.
  • After breakfast and lunch pack prep, we’ll begin the trek towards the Dalakofinn hut, with breathtaking sights and unforgettable moments. We’ll hike alongside the Rauðifoss waterfall, its spectacular red color caused by the oxidation of iron, all the way to the spring of this waterfall, the amazing red eye an unforgettable sight. As we venture onwards, we’ll see colorful canyons and rolling hills that leave people breathless. Once we ascend to heights of up to 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) above sea level, weather permitting, panoramic views await. On clear days, expect views of glaciers, the majestic Mountain Hrafntinnusker, the serene Lake Álftavatn, and other breathtaking vistas that will leave you in awe. One of the highlights of this route is that it’s completely away from the crowds. Today’s adventure ends at the cozy Dalakofinn mountain hut, where we can rest and look back on the day’s experiences.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    Hiking: 9.6 miles (17.5 km) / 8 hours

    Mountains in Iceland.
  • Our adventure continues after another hearty breakfast. Today’s trek will take us from the Dalakofinn hut toward the Hungurfit hut, along the magnificent Markarfljótsgljúfur canyon. Today we’ll get to see a breathtaking and colorful area of the Torfajökull glacier volcano system. The day’s trek ends in the Hungurfit hut. Since this is the last evening of the adventure, we’ll get to have a barbecue, celebrating everything we’ve seen and shared these past couple of days! 

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    Hiking: 14.2 miles (22.8 km) / 9 hours

    Sheep in the Icelandic Highlands.
  • The trek continues after the usual morning activities. The landscapes are somewhat different, as there is less vegetation and traces of old volcano activity are more visible. There is volcanic ash, tuff hills and mountains along the way. We’ll hike alongside the Hvítmagana river and to the edge of the Torfajökull glacier. Our group will be picked up at the Mosi hut by the end of the day and will get transferred back to Reykjavík. But before that, we’ll take some time to look at the spectacular Markafljótsgljúfur Canyon! 

    Meals: Breakfast and lunch
    Hiking: 9.3 miles (15 km) / 8 hours

    Big canyon seen during the Dalastigur Treki in the Icelandic Highlands.
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Meet your guides

Guðfinnur Þór
5.00
Guðfinnur Þór
Guðfinnur “Guffi” Þór is an experienced hiking guide with a deep knowledge of the highlands along the South Coast of Iceland. His guiding journey began with trekking clubs, where he honed his skills before transitioning into a seasoned guide for trekking companies. In 2018, Guffi and his wife Áslaug established the Hólaskjól Highland Centre. Since then, Guffi has dedicated himself entirely to guiding tours in the South Coast highlands, focusing on trekking and leading groups to remote destinations.
Icetrek
5.00
Icetrek
Icetrek specializes in unveiling the captivating beauty of the Icelandic highlands, known as “Hálendið'' in Icelandic. Their guiding team is dedicated to showcasing the rugged terrain and natural wonders of this unique region. From the colorful landscapes of Landmannalaugar to the expansive volcanic canyon of Eldgjá, they offer tailored experiences for individuals and groups, whether it’s day tours or hiking and trekking adventures. Discover the allure of the Icelandic Highlands with Icetrek.

Things to know

  • What you get on this adventure:

      • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • A 4-day Dalastigur trek in the Icelandic Highlands
      • All transportation during the adventure (including pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavik)
      • Accommodation (sleeping bags in dormitory-style rooms) in mountain huts (3 nights)
      • Luggage transfers between mountain huts
      • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
      • Facility fee in Landmannalaugar

    What’s not included:

      • Transportation to Reykjavik
      • Accommodation in Reykjavik before and after the tour
      • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
      • Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
      • Guide gratuities — optional
  • To join this Dalastigur trek guided hiking tour in the Iceland’s Highlands, participants should have experience with full-day hikes (up to 9 hours). The longest distance covered during this Iceland hiking tour will be 14.3 miles (23 km) and hiking will generally take place in hilly terrain. Most people who regularly hike and can cover long distances in a day should be able to participate in this tour. You don’t need to have experience with multi-day hiking tours for this Dalastigur trail hiking trip, but we recommend maintaining an active lifestyle and hiking regularly in weeks leading up to the trip.

    It’s important to be aware that Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable, which may pose challenges during hiking activities. Furthermore, keep in mind that you’ll need to carry a daypack containing essentials like water, lunch, and other items during your hikes.

    However, rest assured that throughout your journey, you’ll have a knowledgeable guide accompanying you every step of the way. They’ll provide encouragement, set an appropriate pace, and assess the fitness level of the group, ensuring necessary breaks are taken. Your guide’s presence will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

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

      • Daypack large enough to fit everything you may need in a day (25-40 L)
      • Travel sack for your baggage that is transported between cabins
      • Sleeping bag and travel pillow
      • Waterproof hiking boots
      • Wading shoes for crossing rivers
      • Sport shoes — to wear when not hiking
      • Water bottle (1-2L)
      • Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
      • Two sets of shirts
      • Wool or fleece thermal mid layer
      • Hiking pants
      • Waterproof and breathable pants and jacket
      • Wool hat and gloves
      • Hiking socks (2 to 3 pairs)
      • Swimwear and towel
      • Sunglasses
      • Sunscreen and aftersun lotion
      • Health supplies and prescription medicine

    Bring comfortable clothes appropriate for the season. We suggest checking the weather forecast and being prepared for different conditions—weather is pretty volatile in Iceland even in the summer and especially at higher elevations. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

  • During the Dalastigur trail hiking tour, accommodation will be in sleeping bag setups in mountain huts. All three mountain huts are heated and equipped with toilets, running water, and cooking facilities.

    The first meal included in the price is dinner on the first day, while the last is lunch on the last day. Breakfast will be provided at the huts before trekking activities, and participants will prepare their own lunch and snacks after breakfasts. Dinners will be cooked by the entire group—fresh fish for the first dinner and traditional Icelandic meat soup for the second. On the last day, there will be a barbecue featuring Icelandic lamb meat. Special dietary needs like vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options can be accommodated, just let your guide in advance! While alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are not included, participants are welcome to bring some for the tour.

  • Group sizes and prices:

      • For this group adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 15:1.
      • It takes a minimum of 5 people for this tour to operate.
      • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

    Guided Dalastigur Trek can be arranged for private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements:

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors as young as 14 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • To get to Reykjavik, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport. From there, we suggest taking a 40-minute bus ride to the city. There is a line connecting the airport and the city after each arrival.

    Participants are recommended to arrive in the city one day before the tour, especially if flying from afar. Your guide will pick you up either at your hotel or at one of Reykjavik’s bus stations in the morning (8.30am) of Day 1 and take you on a scenic ride to the Landmannalaugar.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the trails, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

    Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
    We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in the Highlands, Iceland, please refer to Iceland’s foreign travel advice.

    If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

  • Iceland, the “Land of Fire and Ice,” has forever lived with volcanic activity. Minor and major eruptions have occurred every few years since the island was formed. Some of Iceland’s appeal, aside from sheer natural beauty, surely stems from this very fact.

    However, every new eruption, such as the recent Reykjanes Peninsula fissure, will make some travelers, tourists, and adventurers uneasy, especially given the fact that sensationalist media is not immune to misinformation and speculation.

    Since we work with a number of expert local guides in Iceland, we thought we’d share their input and fill you in on what’s actually going on.

    First of all, air traffic has not been affected. Flights to and from Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Domestic Airport are operating as they always do.

    Second, the effects of volcanic activity have been localized, with some roads closed, and all services in Iceland are operating as usual. Reykjavik, the capital, is around 40 km (25 miles) away from the volcanic fissure, and life there is as normal as ever.

    And third, trips offered by 57hours are taking place much further away, and are thereby even less likely to be affected by the volcanic activity, being perfectly safe for adventurers. Naturally, the authorities (and guides) are monitoring the situation and doing everything possible to keep both local residents and visitors safe and well informed.

    In case you have any additional questions or dilemmas, feel free to get in touch with either your guide or 57hours. For more information, please visit:
    https://safetravel.is/
    https://www.visiticeland.com/article/volcano-info

    Or watch the video with Dr. Matthew Roberts from the Icelandic Meteorological Office explaining the recent volcanic activities in Iceland:
    https://youtu.be/QA3-BXYuYrw?feature=shared

  • Deposits

    You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

    Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!

    • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure anytime in case the dates don’t suit you.
    • Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total amount.
    • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

    Cancellations

    Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

    Basic

    • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Flexible

    • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Super Flexible

    • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  • 57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.
Have more questions? Read our FAQ, or Talk with us
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