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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!
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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!
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What you get on this adventure:
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- An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- 6 days of hiking
- All meals during the journey (possible to accommodate vegetarians and those with allergies)
- Transportation from Reykjavik to the trailhead and back
- Accommodation in cozy mountain huts (sleeping bag accommodations in dormitories)
- Luggage transport from hut to hut
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:
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- Accommodation before and after the adventure
- Flights to and from Iceland
- Transportation from the Keflavik airport to Reykjavik
- Trip insurance
- Gratuities (optional)
- Sleeping bag (can be rented from camping rental stores in Reykjavik)
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To make the most of this hiking adventure, you’ll need to be able to:
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- Hike anywhere from 4 to 8 hours a day for 5 full days while carrying a daypack full of gear
- Hike a total of 43-53 miles (70-85 km) in a week
- Follow a pace of 7.5-10.5 miles (12-17 km) a day on the Classic Tour, or up to 15 miles (24 km) a day on the Advanced Tour
- Handle a max of 1,970 – 2,620 ft (600-800 m) of elevation gain in a day
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.
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Clothing and things to carry in your daypack (large enough to carry all the items listed below):
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- Waterproof cover for your daypack
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Hiking pants
- Thermal top or lightweight T-shirt
- Wool socks that dry quickly
- Mid layer
- Buff or face covering
- Warm hat
- Gaiters (optional for those hiking in June month)
- Sunhat
- Waterproof gloves or mittens
- Breathable & waterproof jacket and waterproof pants (no plastic ponchos)
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle or water bladder
- Sunscreen
- River crossing shoes
- Fresh food and snacks provided by Viking Women every day
- Extra fleece sweater or down jacket to put on when we stop for breaks
- Hand sanitizer
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Camera (optional)
In your luggage:
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- Sleeping bag (doesn’t have to be in your luggage, just attached to it somehow)
- Travel pillow (optional)
- Underwear and socks
- Extra clothes for the trail
- Extra clothes for the huts
- Medicine
- Hygiene and beauty products
- Towel
- Headlamp or a flashlight (for those doing the hike in August – September)
- Powerbank to charge your devices
- Earplugs and a sleeping mask
- Bathing suit (for those doing the 3 days on the trail adventure)
- Cash or a debit/credit card
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.
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Group sizes and prices:
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- For this adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 16:1.
- This adventure requires a minimum of 8 people to run.
Hiking in Laugavegur can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 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.
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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.
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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!
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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-infoOr 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
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