Late June through mid September
6 days
There’s a reason National Geographic named this 34-mile trek through Iceland’s Southern Highlands one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. The geothermal features give Yellowstone a run for its money, with looming glaciers, hidden waterfalls, inviting thermal springs, and black sand deserts dotted with huge shards of obsidian. This legendary all-women hike will have you sleeping under the midnight sun as you trek from place to place on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Explore the neverending beauty of Laugavegur by hiking the trail in 3 or 4 days—depending on your fitness. With each mile, you’ll feel more confident and get a more refined sense of self than you had before. Learn more about this hiking adventure that combines wellness and adventure in the ancient land of the Vikings from Saga Lif, a local guide and the owner of Viking Women.
One of the most incredible shorter thru-hikes in the world
Landscapes formed by millennia of glaciers and volcanoes
Explore glacier-fed lakes, deep canyon, and hidden waterfalls
Enjoy 6 days of exploring the picturesque Icelandic highlands in this private tour. Gather some co-workers, friends, or family and make your way to the Laugavegur trail—one of the “20 Best Hikes in the World” by National Geographic—for a hiking adventure you’ll never forget. Walk wild trails, traverse glacial rivers, explore majestic canyons and bathe in Iceland’s signature natural pools. And when it’s time to take a break, treat yourself to some yoga! Your experienced and local women guides will make sure you experience Iceland’s wild nature in the best possible way!
After meeting your guide, you’ll take the public bus from BSI bus terminal that during the summer months drives the mountain tracks that lead to Landmannalaugar. As you pass by the Hekla volcano and other volcanoes in the Dómadalur area, you’ll reach Landmannalaugar by noon. After lunch, head south into the mountains. The trail takes us past small gorges, steaming hot springs and yellow mountain ridges. In the late afternoon, you’ll arrive at the Hrafntinnusker mountain hut, where you will stay the night.
Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Walking time: 4 – 5 hrs
Ascent: 470 m (1540 ft)
From Hrafntinnusker, descend down in the gullies of Jökultungur with hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools. Enjoy fascinating views to the south to the Álftavatn area overlooking the Swan Lake, and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. In the afternoon you’ll arrive at Álftavatn hut.
Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Walking time: 4 – 5 hrs
Descent: 490 m (1610 ft)
After a hearty breakfast, continue hiking and pass the iconic green volcano of Stórasúla before entering the black deserts of Mælifellssandur. Heading towards another ancient and verdurous volcano, the Hattfell, you’ll enter the Emstrur region where farmers used to graze their sheep in summer. Before arriving at the Botnar hut where you’ll stay the night, visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon cutting almost 200 m down into the rocks south of Hattfell.
Distance: 16 km (10 mi)
Walking time: 6 – 7 hrs
Descent: 40 m (130 ft)
Continue your hike through the small valleys and gullies of Emstrur, where the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier rises only a couple of kilometers away. At an end for the day, descend into Þórsmörk’s green valleys filled with arctic birch forests and colorful flowers.Spend the night in a simply magnificent location to spend a night, beneath the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. You can now celebrate your completion of the world famous Laugavegur Trail!
Distance: 17 km (10.5 mi)
Walking time: 6 – 7 hrs
Descent: 300 m (985 ft)
Fimmvörðuháls is the magnificent high mountain pass between Mýrdalajökull and Eyjafjallajökull – the infamous volcano that erupted in 2010. Today you will be visiting the two new volcano craters, Magni and Móði, which were formed in the first eruption in 2010 and named after the sons of Þór (Thor). The scenery on the Fimmvörðuháls Pass is absolutely stunning. After arriving back at the huts in Þórsmörk, top off this amazing adventure with a barbecue!
Distance: 16 km (10 mi)
Walking time: 7 – 8 hrs
Ascent: 800 m (2600 ft)
Spend the morning in Þórsmörk, visit the Sönghellir (Song cave) and climb up the small mountain of Valahnúkur before taking the afternoon bus to Reykjavík. You should arrive at Reykjavik BSI bus terminal at 19:20!
Pick up the pace and spend a total of 3 days on the trail in an all-female environment! Spend more time exploring Landmannalaugar’s colorful rhyolite mountains and fast-track your journey by hiking a total of 24 km (15 mi) on Day 2. This tour is physically more demanding, but your team will strengthen your motivation and encourage you to pull through when it gets tough. Get away from the crowds, explore majestic canyons on foot, and see how powerful your body can be!
After meeting your guide, you’ll take the public bus from the BSI Bus terminal at 06:45 in the morning. Come dressed for the hike and have your daypack ready. As you pass by the Hekla volcano and other volcanoes in the Dómadalur area, you’ll reach Landmannalaugar by noon. After lunch, enjoy a warm-up hike in the area. Landmannalaugar is a geothermal wonderland, whose colorful rhyolite mountains have become famous across the world, so you’ll have plenty of things to see. After dinner, spend some free time relaxing in the natural hot spring, or join the wardens in a fun game of KUBB.
Distance: 5-6 km (3.1 – 3.8 mi)
Walking time: 3 hrs
Day two begins with breakfast at the hut before heading towards Hrafntinnusker, an obsidian desert that looks out of this world. Then, proceed along the beautiful Reykjafjoll Mountains, famed for their snowy peaks and majestic views of the surrounding area. From Hrafntinnusker, descend down in the gullies of Jökultungur, with hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools sprinkled throughout. Don’t forget to stop and take in the fascinating views of the Álftavatn area (Swan Lake), and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. Arrive at Álftavatn hut in the afternoon, and spend the night there.
Distance: 24 km (15 mi)
Walking time: 7 – 8 hrs
Ascent/Descent: +470 m (1540 ft); -490 m (1610 ft)
After a hearty breakfast, continue hiking and pass the iconic green volcano of Stórasúla before entering the black deserts of Mælifellssandur. Heading towards another ancient and verdurous volcano, the Hattfell, you’ll enter the Emstrur region where farmers used to graze their sheep in summer. Before arriving at the Botnar hut where you’ll stay the night, visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon cutting almost 200 m down into the rocks south of Hattfell.
Distance: 16 km (10 mi)
Walking time: 6 – 7 hrs
Descent: 40 m (130 ft)
Continue your hike through the small valleys and gullies of Emstrur, where the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier rises only a couple of kilometers away. At the end of the day, descend into Thorsmork’s green valleys filled with arctic birch forests and colorful flowers. Spend the night in a simply magnificent location, beneath the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. You can now celebrate your completion of the world-famous Laugavegur Trail!
Distance: 17 km (10.5 mi)
Walking time: 6 – 7 hrs
Descent: 300 m (985 ft)
Today, you get to enjoy a full day in Iceland’s day-hike paradise. Thorsmork offers a number of excellent trails with breathtaking views. Depending on the group’s fatigue and fitness levels, your guide will help you pick a trail that everyone’s comfortable with to spend the day on.
Spend the morning in Thorsmork, visit the Sönghellir (Song cave) and climb up the small mountain of Valahnúkur before taking the afternoon bus to Reykjavík. You should arrive at the Reykjavik BSI bus terminal around 18:30 in the evening (6:30 pm).
Thelma was amazing. Competent, intelligent and a great sense of humor. Couldn\’t imagine doing that hike with anyone else!
Thelma was great! Friendly, energetic and informative.
Our guide, Thelma, was amazing in every way! As an Icelandic native, she was able to share the history and culture of this amazing place in a way that made the journey so much more memorable.
Guide was a gem! Knowledgeable and calm and fun.
Thelma was an absolute rock star, we loved having her! Wonderful guide, excellent cook, very friendly, set a good pace… I cannot say enough good things.
Thelma was an amazing guide. I appreciated how she shared with us Icelandic stories and history.
Greta was the best! She took care of our safety and comfort even when the weather turned on Day 1. She was extremely familiar with the trail.
Mey was incredible! We had pretty brutal conditions the first day, but she continued to be enthusiastic & encouraging.
Greta was amazing. She worked very hard to make sure our group was safe and enjoyed the hiking experience.
Greta was a true Viking Woman role model. She took great care to make sure that we were safe, had everything we needed and enjoyed ourselves along the way. She was organized, fun and I loved her Icelandic stories.
The challenging Laugavegur Trail Hike was an amazing experience shared with a great group of women from different parts of the world and our incredible guide, Mey of Viking Women. Many thanks to Saga and Mey of Viking Women. Their expertise and professionalism kept us on track to experience first hand, some of the most breathtakingly beautiful Icelandic highlands! Heartfelt thanks to Mey. Couldn’t have done it without you!
Our guide was very knowledgeable and supportive and (as one of the slower ones) very patient. Great cook as well!
Very knowledgeable and patience with all of us going different speeds.
Our guide Thelma from Viking Women was simply superb. She confidentially guided us though Iceland, made sure we was fed well and ensured our comfort and safety during our fabulous adventure. I highly recommend.
Saga lead us through a memorable experience. I found the pace and distance covered to be just right. Laugavegur trail in Iceland is rated one of the top through hikes in the world for good reason. This hike is a great way to experience the land of fire and ice.
What a fantastic experience! Hiked with 16 women from all over the world through sunshine, wind and cold rain! Sometimes tough, rugged terrain but stunning! When you complete something like this hike you can’t help but grow and come away feeling incredible! A wonderful bonding experience and Saga our guide was knowledgeable, patient and very accommodating! Highly recommend! Saga was wonderful! Always making sure we were doing well, patient with those who were more beginner hikers and helped to create an extremely memorable experience I’ll cherish forever! She’s very knowledgeable and was able to answer a variety of questions we continually threw at her. She also provided this hike exclusively for women which I’m certain is appealing to many. She made hiking in Iceland feel safe, welcoming and like anyone could do it.
Saga Lif is aptly named as she and her Viking Woman Tours will lead you on an unforgettable and EPIC Icelandic adventure. The group dynamic that she facilities creates a fun and supportive environment for any traveller of any ability. Saga\’s organization, attention to detail, patience, and problem solving made this trip run so smoothly that the only thing we had to do was lace up our boots and enjoy the scenery. Our advice to anyone who is thinking about travelling with Viking Women is – Don\’t hesitate and say yes to everything she suggests (even when your tired) because she knows all of the best places off the beaten track. The Great Voyage Trip has left us with memories and friends that will last a lifetime.
Waiting for Saga to plan her next adventure, Lisa and Natalie.
A fabulous adventure led by an incredible guide, which I will never forget!
Saga is a very nice person, well organise, calm and patient with all the clients. The trekk is fantastic, the food good, but i would have prefer better bread for the sandwiches (hi hi) , the group was not homogenous in the physical fitness, but it was ok. Every one help each others. Generosity was present in the group.
Very nice saga, calm and ready for the adventure, speak to every one of the group but respect the rythm of every one.
Saga is extremely well versed in the area and the lore and history of the Laugavegur Trail. She was extremely well organized, ensured there was balanced nutrition for the hikes and ensured that we enjoyed our time on the adventure. When unexpected circumstances came up, she was quick to execute contingency plans which made for a great side adventure. She is knowledgeable, personable and has everyone participating to ensure in a great camaraderie and atmosphere. Would extremely recommend her company if you truly want to explore Iceland! Amazing and breathtaking views, rustic facilities, incredibly adventurous transportation to, during and from the hike. This is not for people that like to “Glamp”. Go in with a great attitude, manage your expectations for accommodations, they are mountain hostels, but you will not be disappointed with the scenery, the sounds, the views or the memories and the sense of accomplishment. Would not recommend this hike if you don’t plan to train for it or do not hike regularly.
If you are looking for an authentic and unique Icelandic experience then you must do the Laugavegur. Breathtaking and surreal landscape with varied terrain and vegetation. A wonderful opportunity to build real connections and memories. An unforgettable experience. Saga’s endless energy, positivity and sense of fun made the trek even more enjoyable. Saga was able to respond to challenging and changing circumstances with calm and excellent problem solving skills. I felt safe and had complete confidence in her ability. A true brave and strong Viking woman!
Excellent, very knowledgeable. Iceland’s terrain was amazing, the hike was not too difficult. We were lucky to have great weather too
I’m sitting in the airport waiting for the final leg home and as the participants photos begin to arrive on our WhatsApp group chat, I can’t help but marvel at the beauty of the Laugavegur trail, the connections that were made, and the physical challenges of the trail. We experienced Mother Nature’s powerful winds which closed roads on our first day, but she was kind and always had us arriving at our destinations in the sunshine. But the hero of our trip was our guide Saga. Despite all the challenges she managed to get us up to the top of the mountain via super jeep (an experience not one of us will ever forget), encouraged each and everyone of us to give our best effort, fed us very well, entertained us with Icelandic stories and most importantly showed us the marvels of the trail with the enthusiasm of someone experiencing Iceland for the first time. Was it challenging for a senior citizen? Yes. Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat.
Thank you Saga, you are not only a Viking woman but a Viking Princess. ❤️
Brilliant Adventure! Scenery a hard trail but well worth it. My only regret was that the huts were a bit of a challenge being overcrowded and noisy. Even so I would do it again. Saga lead an incredible adventure in the Laugavegur trail of Iceland. She was mindful of the details and So incredibly knowledgeable. Saga\’s energy was amazing and she inspired me to Believe in my learning and ability — some thing I\’m very proud of having accomplished. I would definitely join Saga on another adventure and hope to go back to Iceland to do another Trail as soon as possible.
I spent a week traveling around the gorgeous scenery of Iceland with Saga and let me say–she is an incredible host. Not only is her knowledge of the country vast, she is also patient and caring for all of her guests. As a solo female traveler, Saga made me feel like I was just on a holiday with friends! Whether it was a glass of wine, history lesson, or trek on a glacier – she guided us through those experiences with ease and intrigue. Her itinerary was the perfect combination of adrenaline-packed adventures and relaxation. All said and done, I can’t recommend Saga and Viking Women enough, solo female travelers and friend groups alike.
My time in Iceland was truly life-changing and I have to give a special thanks to Saga for leading such a memorable experience! From her passion for her country, the culture, and adventure in nature, every moment was truly inspiring. Now when I think of “happy places” my favorite memories were our hike up Reykjadalur Valley to the hot river and our walk on Sólheimajökull Glacier that ended with a meditation underneath the sun and a rainbow! I will absolutely be back to explore even further with Viking Women.
Saga will take you on an amazing journey through Iceland! Whether it be a hike or a cave dive! Or even a road trip! Get ready to be shown highlights and small gems off the beaten paths! Filled with wonderful moments you will never forget! Listen to tales of elves and trolls while being surrounded by Iceland’s natural splendor! If you want a guide who has the knowledge and is passionate about showing you their country look no further than Saga!
Kata was the best and did her best. Always with a smile, she had to manage the unexpected horrible weather and 16 women of various skill level.
Kata was an incredible guide – stellar in every way. We had very challenging weather mainly on the first long day of hiking and the group was mixed in terms of hiking and mountain experience. Kata handled the situation with skill, good grace and humor. She made the trip wonderful. The scenery is wonderful once the clouds lift enough to see it.
Snaesa was just amazing at keeping the group happy and informed. Balancing the needs of mixed age and ability hikers so that everyone felt success was tricky and she didn’t disappoint. Iceland is absolutely beautiful and Viking Women are a guides. 15/10
This was a trip of a life time!!! With that being said you really do need to take this adventure seriously. If you have knee hip or ankle issues. This is not the trip for you. Before this trip you should do some training. Walk some hills up and down. Do some stairs up and down. Also put carry a bag with at least 20 pounds. This trip is about being comfortable with uncomfortable. Keep and open hind train pack smart and this is a trip you will not regret!
We could not have asked anything more from our guide Snaesia. She was knowledgeable, patient and kind. Being an Icelandic local, she added a lot of value and interest to the hike on lcelandic culture and landscape. I did this hike with members of my family and when one was having a physical obstacle, she quickly stepped in to lead her to success. She has a bright future and I would hike with her again. The group was 15 hikers and could have benefited from a second guide to manage hikers that were struggling. It was a lot of responsibility for one person. The hike was challenging and provided a beautiful variety of landscapes. There was a lot of extreme climbing up and down – all achievable if you have a baseline of fitness. Our guide had a break every 5km or so we could keep up with our nutrition and rest. The huts were great. Cozy, warm and some had beer! Our guide made amazing meals in the evening that ranged from fresh salmon, pasta and lamb. They also accommodated hikers that were gluten free and vegetarians. I would do this hike again.
Snaessa was a great guide. A native Icelander who’s very knowledgeable and kept us entertained 🙂 Although advertised as beginner hike when i booked it was a little more advanced but do-able. Definitely have to have some hiking experience and be ready to walk walk walk for up to 10 or more km a day. Although challenging, I’m glad I did it.
Sneasa was a fabulous guide. She handled everything very professionally. Never dreamt it would be so memorable.
Snaesa did an excellent job for a large group of women with various abilities. She was a joyful, patience guide.
Senisa was exceptional!
Sneasa was great! She was responsible, pleasant and confident. She kept us on track and safe.
Sanaesa was very fun and \”chill.\” She did her very best to accommodate a very large group with very different hiking abilities. The locations were beautiful. Our last minute adjustments to doing two huts instead of a through hike was actually an advantage to not have to move our stuff as much. We loved the hikes out of Dorsmark. Please note that the accommodations are huts with remote bathrooms- you sleep 16 to a room in some cases (so several cases of COVID) but in all honesty it was wonderful experience.
Ingi was great. Could read the energy of the group and pace us accordingly
Ingibjörg was a fantastic guide!
Truly enjoyed her vibe and felt very comfortable with her knowledge of the trail.
Our guide Ingibjorg was the absolute best ever!
BEST TRIP EVER!!!! Loved everything about it, and our guide, Thelma, was amazing.
Great guide, amazing food, wonderful energy and a fantastic country.
Would do this hike with Thelma again!
What you get on this adventure:
Note: Some special dietary requirements can be accommodated. The lack of space and facilities in the huts make it difficult for your guide to prepare numerous dishes daily. We can cater to vegetarians and those with food allergies.
What’s not included:
To make the most of this hiking adventure, you’ll need to be able to:
The trails are not paved, but in some places, paths have formed. Some trails are rocky but are easily accessible to anyone used to hiking in uneven terrain. Participants will need to hike up and down steep slopes that sometimes have loose grounds and require good balance. Hikes will involve river crossings on the trail every day except the first. The water level in the rivers changes from time to time due to seasonal conditions. In some cases, you will be able to step from stone to stone to get to the other side. In other cases, you will need to take your shoes and socks off, put on river-crossing shoes and wade the rivers. Neoprene socks and sandals or neoprene shoes (beach shoes) are the best choice. Your guide will provide you with advice for river crossing, as well as help you to cross the river. Trekking poles might come in handy when wading rivers, as well as crossing with a partner.
Clothing, footwear, and things to carry in your backpack (large enough to carry all the items listed below):
In your luggage:
Your main luggage will be transported by transport vehicle, and you will not have access to it until you reach the huts in the afternoon. This also includes your sleeping bag. Everything needed for the day’s trek must be in your daypack.
You are allowed to take one piece of luggage on the tour. Your guide advises you not to bring a massive one, as the huts don’t have much room to spread out our stuff. There are luggage lockers at four centrally located places in Reykjavik where you can store your extra luggage.
For your own well-being and safety, we strongly suggest following the advice of this equipment list. This includes having good quality rain gear, tops, and bottoms. Cotton clothing is not appropriate for any strenuous outdoor activity—nor are jeans and cotton t-shirts. Modern outdoor clothing is by far more comfortable and will greatly improve your experience.
Group sizes and prices:
Hiking in Laugavegur can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Iceland, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport, located 45 minutes from the city center. From there, the best and the cheapest way is to take one of the public busses like Airport Direct or Flybus. Buses leave 35-40 minutes after the arrival of each flight, 24/7.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the BSÍ bus terminal in Reykjavík or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, we partnered up with Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their insurance 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 insurance. If you need any help or require more information, 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 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA3-BXYuYrw
Deposits
You can secure one of the 2024 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’ll be the first one to know. Pick the month that suits you best and we’ll let you know once the dates are live—don’t risk missing out on your bucket list adventure!
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible