Hut-to-Hut Hiking on the Laugavegur Trail

You’ll meet your group at the meeting point in Reykjavik city, BSI Bus Terminal and load the luggage into the bus. The drive to Landmannalaugar is a magical experience as you drive through many different contrasts of landscape and vegetation. As you move from the populated part of Iceland into the desolate black highlands, you will see many beautiful sights along the way in Fjallabak nature reserve. Enjoy the view of the incredible colors of Landmannalaugar: black, red, orange, green, blue—all coming together in the rhyolite mountains. Arrive at the hut and start getting to know each other as the guide goes over the itinerary for the next few days. In the evening, cook your first highland meal together and have a good time. 

Those who are interested in really soaking in nature can take an evening dip into the geothermally heated pool (up to 40°C!) that the name of the place derives from, as the name Landmannalaugar directly translates to “The People’s Pools.”

The first part of today’s hike leads up to the lava field of Laugahraun and heads downhill before heading up again to the plateau below Mt. Brennisteinsalda. It is a good idea to stop here and look at the flora, mountains and gorges in all colors of the rainbow. The trail continues up on to the plateau, where small ravines cut into the landscape as the rivers shape the soft mountain. The way ahead is all uphill, but it is not extremely steep. Your next destination is Stórihver, a beautiful vegetation spot right next to a whizzing geyser. Stop, rest your legs and get a bite from your lunch box. The rest of the trail runs along the slopes of Reykjafjöll. The area is a valley bottom which is mostly flat, but there are a few ravines that should be crossed extra carefully since they are often half-full of snow. Next, hike west of Kaldaklofsfjöll and up and down through ravines until you reach the edge of Jökultungur. Take in the views over the whole trail and the three glaciers, Tindfjallajökull, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. The road down Jökultungur is quite steep and rocky and at the bottom, the Grashagakvísl river awaits! In some cases it can be crossed on a snow bridge. If not, you need to ford by wading on foot. From there, it’s an easy route to the hut in Álftavatn lake, where you will spend the night.

Hiking: 8-10 hours
Distance: 24 km (15 mi)

From Álftavatn, the trail goes over Brattháls and continues east to Hvanngil. The Bratthálskvísl river is without a bridge and needs to be forded by foot which in most cases is relatively easy. In Hvanngil, hikers can use the toilet facilities. There is a short walk to the river Kaldaklofskvísl, which can be crossed on a footbridge. Just south, is another river, Bláfjallakvísl without a bridge. Now the route lies mostly on the main road until the river Innri-Emstruá is reached. It has a bridge but you’ll have to tread through some water as there is an overflow that bypasses the bridge. Afterwards, the trail takes you south to Emstrur, where the land is practically without vegetation. The trail lies between two mountains called Útigönguhöfðar and in about an hour, you should reach the Botnar hut in Emstrur!

Hiking: 6-7 hours
Distance: 16 km (10 mi)

Your last day in Laugavegur! Hike to the bridge over the Syðri-Emstruá, a river that flows into a narrow deep canyon that reaches most of the way to Entujökull. Keep in mind that people with vertigo sometimes struggle to get to and across the bridge. From there, the path takes you along Langháls, towards the junction of the rivers Markarfljót and Syðri-Emstruá. It is recommended to walk to the edge of the gorge where the rivers meet, before hiking south through Almenningar. Take a lunch break and rest in one of the two small ravines, Slyppugil and Bjórgil. A short hike up gradually leads you to an area with more vegetation called Úthólmar. The last point on the trail is called Kápa or “coat”, where you’ll have to ford the river Þröngá. The river marks the boundary of Thorsmork, meaning there’s about half an hour of hiking through the pleasant woodland Hamraskógar before you arrive at the Skagfjörðsskáli cabin in Langidalur, Thorsmork. From here, board a bus and travel back to Reykjavik!

Hiking: 6-7 hours
Distance: 15 km (9 mi)

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Arrive at the BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavík  and get ready for a scenic 4-hour drive to Landmannalaugar, making stops to explore amazing sights along the way. Once you arrive in Landmannalaugar, start getting to know each other as the guide goes over the itinerary for the next few days. In the evening, cook your first highland meal together and have a good time. Soak up the colors, mountains, and lava fields nestled in this huge and formidable environment. Head out for a short hike around the area to warm up for the coming days and in the evening, rest and have a delicious dinner with the group. Take a shower and get ready to hit the hay.

Those who are interested in really soaking in nature can take an evening dip into the geothermal pool (with temperatures up to 40°C!) that the name of the place derives from, as the name Landmannalaugar directly translates to “the People’s Pools”.

Kick things off with breakfast and make sandwiches for your lunch box. You and your group will hike through a moss-covered lava field over colorful rhyolite mountains and towards Hrafntinnusker, where you’ll usually find snow throughout the summer! On this day, you’ll witness the most drastic change of landscape! After passing different spots with geothermal activities, observe small lakes, pockets of hot water venting out of the ground, and beautiful hot springs. You’ll notice that there will be less and less plants. Reach the second hut, rest and have a warm meal with the group!

Hiking: 4-5 hours
Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)

The biggest day of descending is ahead of you! Leave the warm hut, cross a river, and marvel at the glaciers in the background in case the visibility is good enough. The views will change rapidly from geothermal zones to tortuous mountain scenery. Reach your hut in Hvanngil after a long day of hiking and help your guide prepare a fabulous dinner before you get some well-deserved rest!

Hiking: 5-6 hours
Distance: 16 km (10 mi)

There won’t be much ascending or descending today and the day will be pretty much flat. Start today’s hike and cross a glacial river that is bound to wake you up faster than a double espresso ever could. Take in the views of mountain peaks rising out of black desert landscape and Mýrdalsjökull. This area was formed when glaciers covered the land and the volcanic activity caused the mountains to rise from underneath. After dinner in Emstrur, there might be a chance to hike to the Markarfljótsgljúfur Canyon, a sight you definitely don’t want to miss out on! Cap off the day with a filling dinner and prepare for the day ahead of you.

Hiking: 6-7 hours
Distance: 16 km (10 mi)

The fifth day of the trek has some ascending, descending, and flat parts in store. With the stunning Markarfljótsgljúfur Canyon on your right, you’ll gradually descend most of the day and start seeing more plants, hear more birds, and even see some trees. Today is the most difficult day of the hike—it’s the longest and there are two big hills you’ll have to go over before reaching Thorsmork. There’s one glacial river above a small canyon you’ll need to cross. There’s a sturdy bridge going over the river and the height might be an issue for people with vertigo. Today you’ll get to Thorsmork, one of the most spectacular places in Iceland. Take a moment to appreciate the three glaciers around it nestled in the valley and admire the ever-changing Krossá river which splits the area beautifully. After dinner, you’ll rest up for the last day.

Hiking: 6-7 hours
Distance: 15 km (9.5 mi)

The final day has arrived! Start the day off with a nice breakfast, pack up your bags and go for a hike around Thorsmork before heading to Reykjavik with private transport. Make your way to Valahnúkur and soak up the views. You’ll arrive in Reykjavík in the late afternoon. The official part of the trip ends here, but feel free to spend more time with the group and reminisce about the experiences from your hiking adventure!

Want to explore more of Iceland? Make sure to check out the hiking tours in Iceland provided by the best guides in the business!