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5-Day Laugavegur Hiking Adventure in Iceland

Who needs CGI when we’ve got the Land of Fire and Ice? Iceland’s legendary Laugavegur Trail delivers a blockbuster-worthy lineup of rainbow-hued mountains, bubbling hot springs, and glacial valleys. Our hiking boots are the ticket to a front-row seat to this natural spectacle. From soaking in geothermal springs in Landmannalaugar to the out-of-this-world wonders of Thorsmork Valley, this five-day adventure is equal parts stunning and soul-filling. Every trail is a masterpiece, every view a postcard. Don’t just visit Iceland—experience it, one breathtaking step at a time. But beware—you might not want to leave!

Adventure highlights

  • Lava fields forever

    Trek through the Laugahraun Lava Field, a dramatic landscape shaped by ancient volcanic activity

  • Nature’s bathtub

    Unwind in Landmannalaugar’s geothermal hot springs, surrounded by vibrant rhyolite mountains

  • Valley of dreams

    End the journey in Thorsmork Valley, where birch forests and glacier-fed rivers create an otherworldly paradise

Itinerary

Discover Iceland’s wild side on this five-day Laugavegur and Thorsmork hiking adventure. Starting in the vibrant landscapes of Landmannalaugar, you’ll trek through lava fields, black-sand deserts, and lush valleys. Highlights include geothermal hot springs, panoramic glacier views, and the serene Thorsmork Valley. Experience the thrill of camping under the midnight sky and hiking trails that showcase Iceland’s volcanic power and natural wonders. With every step, you’ll uncover the magic of Iceland’s most famous trails.

  • The adventure begins in Reykjavík with a departure at 8am. Upon arrival in Landmannalaugar, we will have lunch and set up camp before exploring the breathtaking surroundings. Known for its rugged landscapes, geothermal features, and vibrant mountains, Landmannalaugar offers a spectacular backdrop for the first hike. There will be some time to unwind in the natural geothermal hot springs, if anyone wishes to take a dip.

    We will camp overnight in Landmannalaugar, and there’ll be dinner in the communal canteen tent. Travelers will need to pitch their own tents and may be asked to assist with setting up the group tent for the expedition.

    Meals: Lunch, dinner
    Hiking distance: 2-3 hours
    Accommodation: Tents

    Hikers going downhill
  • After breakfast, we will prepare our lunch packs for the day ahead. Today, the trek kicks off with a journey through the Laugahraun Lava Field, leading us to the mountain Brennisteinsalda. Along the way, we will encounter bubbling rivers, geothermal hot springs, stunning lava formations, and vibrant mountains as we hike towards Hrafntinnusker, which sits at an elevation of 1,100 m / 3,608 ft above sea level. This area is also renowned for its abundance of obsidian, a striking black volcanic glass formed from rapidly cooled lava.

    Hrafntinnusker is located approximately halfway between Landmannalaugar and Álftavatn, our destination for the day. From there, we will begin our descent towards Lake Álftavatn, where we will set up camp for the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Hiking: 15 mi / 24 km, 7 hours
    Elevation: +900 m / +2,953 ft
    Accommodation: Tents

    Hikers on a volcanic mountain in Iceland
  • On Day 3, after breakfast, we will prepare our lunch and snacks for the day’s hike. Our trek starts with a view of Lake Álftavatn, nestled in the heart of the Icelandic Highlands and surrounded by stunning volcanic landscapes. As we continue our hike, we will experience a variety of landscapes, making our way to Mælifellssandur, where black sands contrast with lush green hills in the background, offering a spectacular view of the magnificent Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which rests above the volcano Katla. Along the way, we will have the chance to explore the impressive Markarfjótsgljúfur canyon. We will spend the night in a camp in Emstrur.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Hiking: 9.3 mi / 15 km, 6-7 hours
    Elevation: -40 m / -130 ft
    Accommodation: Tents

    Woman with a canyon in Iceland in the background
  • On Day 4, we’ll have breakfast and prepare for the day. We’ll set off to Thórsmörk valley. This part of the hike offers breathtaking views of volcanic landscapes, lush valleys, and glacier-carved mountains. Highlights include the rugged beauty of the Thórsmörk valley itself, with its lush birch forests and dramatic river crossings. Keep an eye out for unique geological features and opportunities to capture memorable photos. We’ll end the day in our cabin in Thórsmörk, Básar.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Hiking: 10 mi / 17 km, 7 hours
    Elevation: -300 m / -985 ft
    Accommodation: Básar cabin

    Thorsmork valley in Iceland
  • Today, we’ll wake up in our camp in a natural birch forest in Básar in the Thorsmörk valley. We will have breakfast, and then hike to some good viewpoints in the area where we’ll enjoy panoramic views of glaciers, including Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, as well as the surrounding valleys and mountains of the Thórsmörk. We will have lunch at Básar cabin before we start the departure. On our way back to Reykjavik, we might take some time to look at the Stakkholtsgjá Canyon. It is a 1-hour hike into the canyon and back.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch
    Hiking: 3-3.7 mi / 5-6 km, 3 hours
    Elevation: -600 m / -1,968 ft

    Birch forest in Iceland
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Meet your guides

Jósep Gísla
5.00
Jósep Gísla
Jósep has years of experience in mountaineering and hiking and has worked as a mountain and glacier guide for much of that time. He’s passionate about leading hiking and trekking tours. Outside of guiding, Jósep is a graphic designer, publisher, and musician. He has also been an active member of Icelandic rescue teams for many years.
Sigurlaug Sól
5.00
Sigurlaug Sól
Sigurlaug has been exploring and trekking through Iceland's highlands since she was young, starting out with her father. Over the years, she has become a skilled mountain guide with extensive experience in trekking and backpacking. She knows the highlands of Southern Iceland very well and shares a deep passion for the area with her fellow guides. Sigurlaug holds a university degree in English literature and linguistics. She’s currently working on her master’s degree while living in Sweden during the winter. Each summer, she reconnects with Iceland's highlands to guide tours and share her love for the region.
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

  • Included:

      • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • 5-day Laugavegur Thorsmork tour
      • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
      • Accommodation: 3 nights in tents, 1 night in a cabin
      • Pickup at hotels and bus stops in Reykjavík City
      • Road trip to Landmannalaugar
      • Luggage transfer between campsites and cabins/huts
      • Transport to Reykjavík city in a 4×4 bus
      • Drop-off in hotels and bus stops in Reykjavík city
      • Facility fees

    Add-ons

      • Gear rental

    Not included:

      • Flights to and from Iceland
      • Airport transfers
      • Accommodations before and after the adventure
      • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
      • Alcoholic beverages
      • Usage of showers on the campsites (900 ISK / 6 EUR / 6.5 USD)
      • Guide gratuities — optional
      • Travel and medical insurance — optional, but highly recommended
  • This Laugavegur Thorsmork tour is rated moderate, meaning that a very good fitness level is required. You should be able to comfortably trek each day with a loaded backpack. For the best results, it’s recommended that you start practicing hiking shorter distances with a backpack a few weeks before the adventure starts. Expect to hike anywhere from 3-15 mi / 5-24 km, or 3-7 hours each walking day.

    For more hiking adventures in Iceland, click here!

  • Each day starts in the group canteen tent where breakfast is served. During breakfast, hikers will have access to a few kinds of bread, toppings, soups, biscuits, and fruit that can be brought on the day’s hike as lunch and snacks.

    Breakfasts often include eggs and bacon, yogurt, skyr, bread, and various toppings such as smoked salmon.

    Every hiker must prepare a lunch pack for the day. Participants will get a lunch box and sandwich bags to pack the lunch for the day.

    At the end of each day, dinner will be made in the group tent. The guide will lead the cooking, but everybody participates and helps with the cooking. Special dietary supplements can be requested.

    Dinners will often feature fish, grilled food, spaghetti bolognese, and even a grilled leg of lamb at Básar cabin.

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

      • Backpack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (around a 25-40L bag)
      • Hiking poles — optional
      • Sleeping bag and travel pillow
      • Lunch box to carry the day’s lunch
      • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
      • Waterproof hiking boots
      • Comfortable hiking clothes
      • Thermal underwear (top and bottom), at least two sets of shirts
      • Wool or fleece thermal mid layer
      • 2 to 3 pairs of hiking socks
      • Water shoes, for river crossing (lightweight and quick drying)
      • Waterproof pants and rain jacket
      • Wool hat
      • Gloves
      • Swimsuit
      • Sandals
      • A duffel bag for transport of overnight gear
      • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, etc.)
      • Personal medicine and medical kits
      • Headlamp or flashlight
      • Sunglasses
      • Fast-drying towel
      • Camera — optional (but recommended)
      • Power bank or chargers for mobile phones

    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.

  • Group sizes and pricing

      • For this Laugavegur Thorsmork tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1.
      • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.

    Hiking in Iceland can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors from 14 to 18 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.

  • The starting point of your Laugavegur Thorsmork tour is Reykjavik. To get there, most people fly into Keflavik Airport (KEF). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Reykjavik.

    Once you’re there, your guide will pick you up around 8am in front of your hotel or at bus stops in Reykjavik. The guide will provide more details before the trip starts.

    Since your tour starts in the morning of Day 1, it’s best you arrive a day prior to the start of the adventure.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

    Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

    Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

  • 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.

    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.
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