-
-
Depart early in the morning from the center of Reykjavik to make the most of the day. The drive to Landmannalaugar and the Icelandic Highlands, will take 3-4 hours. The journey is highly scenic and fascinating, taking your group by the magnificent volcano mountain Hekla—the most active volcano in Iceland. You’ll also make your way through the Laugahraun lava field and Vondugil canyon and admire the incredibly vibrant colors of the rhyolite mountains, most notably Mt. Brennisteinsalda. On the way to the accommodation at Landmannalaugar, you’ll get a chance to see the Graenagil gorge and climb up to Bláhnjúkur Volcano (time permitting).
Distance: 8 km / 4.9 miles
Walking time: 4 hours
Ascent: 470 m / 1,540 ft
Accommodation: Mountain hut
Meals: Lunch, refreshments, and dinner
-
After a nutritious breakfast, it’s time to hit the trail again! Today you’ll hike through the pitch-black obsidian desert called Hrafntinnusker, next to vibrantly colored Reykjafjöll rhyolite mountains, and in the Jökultungur area. Here you’ll witness how the continued geothermal activity has turned craggy gullies into vivid yellows and reds, colors that contrast dramatically with the soft pale sandy hues around them. The top of Jökultungur is a great place to enjoy views over the whole Fjallabak area and the Álftavatn lake, where you’ll be spending the night (after an exciting river crossing!)
Distance: 24 km / 14.9 miles
Walking time: 7 hours
Ascent: 900 m / 2,952 ft
Accommodation: Mountain hut
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and dinner
-
Today, your hiking begins with another river crossing, entering onto the otherworldly Mælifellssandur plain. Pass by the Stórasúla and Hattafell volcanoes on your way to Emstrur. From here, you’ll get to enjoy outstanding views of the mighty volcanic glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull (if there’s good visibility). On our way to Botnar, a green oasis amid a black sand desert, you’ll see Markarfljótsgljúfur, a stunning 200-meter deep canyon formed by a glacial river. Your overnight hut is located nearby.
Distance: 15 km / 9.5 miles
Walking time: 6-7 hours
Ascent: 40 m / 130 ft
Accommodation: Mountain hut
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and dinner
-
After breakfast, leave Emstrur and start your hike to Thorsmork (Þórsmörk in Icelandic). Enjoy the view of glaciers as your group goes through the Almenningar gorge by Mount Einhyrningur (the Unicorn Mountain). Moving forward, the landscape will eventually turn into the characteristic dense birch forest found in Thorsmork. Your accommodation is in a scenic location—beneath the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. You can now celebrate the completion of the world-famous Laugavegur Trail with your guide and fellow hikers!
Distance: 15 km / 9.5 miles
Walking time: 6-7 hours
Ascent: 300 m / 985 ft
Accommodation: Mountain hut
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and dinner
-
Fimmvörðuháls is a magnificent high mountain pass between Mýrdalajökull and Eyjafjallajökull – the volcano that erupted in 2010 and caused havoc in airfare. Today, you will visit the two new volcano craters formed during the eruption—Magni and Móði—named after the sons of Þór (Thor). The places you’ll see bear testimony to Iceland’s continued volcanic activity—which has never ceased to shape its landscapes. Spend the final night among the vistas fit for tourist posters. The completion of the Laugavegur and Fimmvorðuháls trails will be celebrated in the traditional Icelandic way—with a delicious grilled lamb dinner!
Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Walking time: 7-8 hours
Ascent: 800 m / 2,600 ft
Accommodation: Mountain hut
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and dinner
-
The last day is reserved for exploring Thorsmork and the surrounding area. A hike up Mount Útigönguhöfði will reward you with outstanding views over the valley and the glaciers. For those who are not up for a serious hike, a stroll to Húsadalur might be an option, or just relaxing around Langidalur before returning to Reykjavík. On your way to the city, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. Return to Reykjavik is scheduled for early evening, around 18:00. Say goodbye to your guide and fellow hikers and say goodbye to Iceland—or continue touring on your own.
Distance: 6 km / 3.5 miles
Walking time: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
-
-
-
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)
-
-
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.
-
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!
-
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures on Laugavegur Trail, Iceland, please visit the official Government of Iceland and Official Information about Covid in Iceland websites.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
-