Hike the Laugavegur Trail and the South Coast of Iceland

Here’s what’s included:

• • An experienced, local, English-speaking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 4 to 8 days of hiking and sightseeing along the Laugavegur Trail and South Coast
  • Accommodation in mountain huts and hotels as indicated in the itinerary
  • Most meals during the trek, as indicated in the itinerary
  • Kitchen and cooking equipment
  • Transport at the beginning and end of the trek
  • All required safety equipment
  • Luggage transfer during the trek

What’s not included:

• • Transportation to and from Iceland
  • Accommodation before and after the tour
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Sleeping bag and personal hiking equipment (can be rented)
  • Showers in huts (payable on-site, approx. $3.50 per shower)
  • Travel and medical insurance — optional
  • Guide gratuities — optional

You need to be able to hike for full days, carrying a daypack full of your gear which means you should be physically very fit. Each day you will hike between three and eight hours. On top of that, volcanic terrain can be challenging. If you are looking for adventure and up to the task of multiple days of full-day trekking, you’ll be rewarded immensely!

In terms of backpack weight, you will only need to carry a smaller daypack with your lunch, water bottle, medication, sunglasses, river crossing shoes, rain gear, and other items or clothing you might need for the day. The rest of your luggage will be transported by the guide from hut to hut.

There are no requirements for the glacier walk. Your guide will teach you the basics of glacier walking, show you how to use the equipment, and lead you safely through the spectacular scenery at a relatively slow pace.

Please check your chosen itinerary to learn about day-by-day distances,

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

• • A duffel bag for the transport of your overnight gear (up to 20 kg)
  • Daypack (around a 25-40L bag)
  • Sleeping bag — no specific temperature rating as the mountain huts are heated
  • Travel pillow
  • Small thermal mat to sit on — optional but recommended
  • Hiking poles — optional but recommended
  • Gaiters — optional but recommended
  • Sunhat
  • Wool hat
  • Wool or synthetic gloves (2 pairs of different thickness)
  • Jacket with a hood (windproof, waterproof and breathable, e.g. Gore-Tex)
  • Puffy jacket — optional
  • Warm, down jacket
  • Light wool or fleece sweater
  • Long sleeve shirts
  • T-shirts (avoid cotton)
  • Soft-shell hiking trousers (strong and light material that dries quickly)
  • Rain pants (windproof, waterproof and breathable)
  • Full rain gear (poncho is not useful because of wind)
  • Wool or synthetic thermal underwear
  • Wool or synthetic socks
  • Sturdy hiking boots (waterproof with good ankle support)
  • River crossing 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
  • Gaiters — optional but recommended
  • Change of clothes and comfortable shoes for the huts
  • Quick dry, lightweight towel 
  • Swimwear for the hot geothermal pool in Landmannalaugar
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  • Lunch box
  • Pocket knife
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Sunglasses
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  • Personal medication
  • Earplugs
  • Portable power bank
  • Dry-bags for electronics and extra clothing
  • Camera — optional but recommended
  • Aperitif or other heart-warming spirits (liquor laws in Iceland prohibit the sale of alcohol) — optional

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. Iceland is home to infamously unpredictable weather, so it’s best to be prepared with the right gear. It is recommended to dress in layers. 3 or 4 upper layers are highly recommended such as a light T-shirt (preferably wool) next to the skin, then a fleece or heavy wool garment, topped off with a waterproof windbreaker.

There is a limit of 1 piece of luggage per participant that can weigh up to 20 kg (+your daypack). Since there is limited space on the luggage trailer, try to pack light out of consideration for other passengers and use a waterproof duffel bag which is easier to store. If you have extra luggage that you would like to leave, we recommend storing luggage at the BSI Bus terminal (fees apply) or another luggage storage space in Reykjavik.

When glacier hiking, you will be provided with an ice axe, crampons, harness and helmet. This will help you to complete the tour safely. The minimum shoe size to attach crampons is EU 35.

Meals will be prepared by all participants, guides, and the team—make food and friends at the same time!

Special dietary supplements, such as vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten-free, or other supplements, can be ordered at some extra cost. It is suggested that you purchase the special food extra. This will help your guides in supplying the best meals possible for everyone. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know prior to booking to make arrangements.

Bring a water bottle that you can then fill with the tap water at the huts/campsites. Iceland’s water is perfectly safe to drink. There are also several streams along where people tend to get more water from!

During the Laugavegur tour, you’ll experience the magic of living in rustic mountain huts scattered along the trail. All of the mountain huts are heated, some have electricity and some have hot water. Showers are found in every hut and cost 500 ISK per use. Huts have bunk rooms with single and twin beds. Participants have to be prepared to share a bunk with other travelers from the group. There are no power outlets in the huts so please bring a power bank.

During the 8-day South Coast tour, you will also stay at a local hotel for 2 nights.

It is recommended to arrive at least one day before the tour. If you’re flying in from the US or will be landing early (4-6:30 am) you should be able to join the tour, but some risks would follow (i.e if the flight gets delayed) and could, therefore, miss out on the tour. Accommodations in Reykjavík are not included in the price in case you arrive early before the trip or if you’re staying after your trip.

Groups on these hiking tours usually consist of 6-16 hikers. 

Anyone over the age of 18 can join these day-hiking tours. Teens as young as 14 can join on a case-by-case basis, accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

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

If you happen to be a solo traveler, you’re more than welcome to join these tours of Iceland’s south coast! There are no supplements for solo travelers, as they’ll share a room. In case the tour includes hotel accommodation, single room is possible according to availability for an added fee.

To tour the south coast of Iceland, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF). From there, you can rent a car, take a taxi or hop on a bus. It takes about 45 minutes to reach Reykjavik.

It is recommended to arrive at least one day before the tour. If you’re flying in from the US or will be landing early (4-6:30 am) you should be able to join the tour, but some risks would follow (i.e if the flight gets delayed) and could, therefore, miss out on the tour. 

The meeting location depends on the tour and which time you’re meeting with your guides. Options include the Reykjavik City Hall, Hallgrimskirkja, or the Reykjavik Campsite. After joining your guides, a scenic 4-hour drive is the only thing separating you from your hiking 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!

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.