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4-Day Laugavegur Trail Tent-Based Tour

Itinerary
4-Day Tent-Based Tour
Guide(s)
Arctic Adventures
Trip options

Booking for a group?
Reserve spots for 5 or more people, and get $33 off for each

Add-ons

Equipment rentals

Solo travelers will be paired in a twin tent, but you can rent a single tent for yourself. If you’d like to have a tent to yourself, add it now.

If you’re renting any gear, please let us know the sizes you usually wear so we can reserve it for you.

Special dietary requirements (+$30.00)

Check how many people need special food during the trip.

Transportation

The bus can pick you up in one of the locations in Reykjavik between 7.00 and 7.30 am or outside of Reykjavik around 8.15 or 9.00 am, depending on your chosen pick-up point.
*Note that it can take up to 30 minutes before the bus departs the given locations.

Choose cancellation flexibility option

Things come up, and sometimes plans need to be changed. Check out our cancellation flexibility options.
57hours flexibility options
Deposits

When booking a trip, you can either pay for it in full or reserve your spot with a 30% deposit. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations

After 48 hours, booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. 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.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
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.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
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.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
4-Day Laugavegur Trail Tent-Based Tour
Itinerary
4-Day Tent-Based Tour
People
1 Person
Date(s)
--
Duration
4 day
Guide(s)
Arctic Adventures
Reserve deposit (30%) $0
Second Payment Amount: $0

    • Meet your guide and your team in Reykjavik. From there, drive 3 hours along the South Coast to Landmannalaugar. You’ll pass by Hekla, the most active volcano in Iceland, which has erupted every 10-15 years throughout the last century. Once you reach Landmannalaugar, the starting point of the Laugavegur Trail, make your way through the Laugahraun lava field and Vondugil canyon. Rhyolite mountains, most notably Mt. Brennisteinsalda, will offer incredibly vibrant colors. On your way back to the campsite, you’ll see Graenagil gorge and climb up the Blahnukur Volcano if time allows. Get to know each other in the evening while enjoying your delicious dinner.

      Meals: Lunch and dinner
      Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
      Elevation gain: 470 m / 1,540 ft
      Hiking: 4 hours

      Landmannalaugar mountain, Laugavegur trek

    • After a hearty breakfast, the first stop of the day is the pitch-black obsidian desert Hrafntinnusker, after which you’ll reach Reykjafjoll rhyolite mountains and the Jokultungur area. Geothermal activity has turned these craggy gullies into vivid yellows and reds, which dramatically contrast pale sandy hues around them. The top of Jokultungur is a great place to enjoy views of the entire Fjallabak area and Alftavatn lake (Swan Lake), where you’ll be spending the night. To reach your campsite, you must ford a river, which is a fantastic experience for hikers.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
      Distance: 24 km / 15 miles
      Elevation gain: 900 m / 2,952 ft
      Hiking: 7-8 hours

      vibrant Reykjafjöll mountains and the Jökultungur area whose colors contrast dramatically with the soft pale sand-toned peaks around them

    • Begin by wading across another stream as you proceed onto Maelifellssandur and the volcano country. Pass by Storasula and Hattafell volcanoes on your way to Emstrur. Provided there’s good visibility, you’ll have a spectacular view of two very famous volcano mountain glaciers Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull, with the latter one disrupting air traffic in 2010 and with the former one shrouding the much-feared Katla under its ice cap. On your way to Botnar, a green oasis in the midst of a black sand desert, you’ll see Markarfljotsgljufur, a 200-meter deep canyon, carved by a glacial river. Your campsite is in that area.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
      Distance: 15 km / 9.5 miles
      Elevation loss: 40 m / 130 ft
      Hiking: 6-7 hours

      Markarfljótsgljúfur—a stunning canyon fashioned by a glacial river.

    • After your final breakfast, leave the Emstrur area and continue along to Thorsmork. As you go through the Almenningar, a gorge by Mt. Einhyrningur (the Unicorn Mountain), you’ll still have a great view of the glaciers as you advance towards Thorsmork. As you get closer to it, the landscape and nature change. And once you reach it, you’ll see the characteristic dense birch forest for which Thorsmork is famous. Celebrate your completion of the Laugavegur Trail! On the way back to Reykjavik, you’ll get a glimpse of the powerful waterfall Seljalandsfoss. Arrive back in Reykjavik at around 9:30 p.m., drop-off is at the BSI bus stop in town.

      Meals: Breakfast and lunch
      Distance: 15 km / 9.5 miles
      Elevation loss: 300 m / 985 ft
      Hiking: 6-7 hours

      As you get closer to Thorsmork, the landscapes around you will change—soon you’ll be surrounded by a dense birch forest for which Thorsmork is famous for.

    • What you get on this adventure:

        • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
        • 4-day backpacking adventure in Laugavegur
        • Accommodation in private tents
        • Sleeping pads
        • Large assembly tents for dinner
        • All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 4
        • Luggage transport

      What’s not included:

        • Transportation to Iceland
        • Sleeping bag — you can rent it upon checkout
        • Showers (usually cost 900 ISK)
        • Guide gratuities — optional

    • In order to join this supported backpacking tour in Laugavegur, Iceland, you need to be able to hike for 4 full days, carrying just a daypack with things you’ll need throughout the day. Every day you will hike between 6 to 8 hours, which means great fitness is required. On top of that, volcanic terrain can be challenging. If you are looking for adventure and are up to the task of multiple days of full-day trekking, you’ll be rewarded immensely!

      In terms of daypack 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 camp to camp.

    • Clothing & footwear

        • 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
        • 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)
        • Sunhat
        • Wool hat
        • Wool or synthetic gloves (2 pairs of different thickness)
        • Wool or synthetic thermal underwear
        • Wool or synthetic socks
        • Change of clothes and comfortable shoes for the huts
        • Swimwear
        • Gaiters — optional but recommended

      Other gear and personal items

        • Waterproof duffel bag for the transport of your overnight gear (up to 20 kg)
        • Daypack (around a 25-40L bag)
        • Sleeping bag
        • Travel pillow
        • Small thermal mat to sit on — optional but recommended
        • Hiking poles — optional but recommended
        • Quick dry, lightweight towel 
        • 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.

    • 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!

    • Group sizes and prices:

        • For this backpacking tour in Laugavegur, the maximum number of people is 14 with one guide.

      Backpacking in Laugavegur, 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 older than 14 may join the hike, 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.

    • To get to this Laugavegur Trail tour, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF). From there, it’s best to hop on a shuttle to Reykjavik, or you can take a taxi. 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 U.S. 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. This is, therefore, not recommended! Accommodation for the night prior to the tour is at your arrangement.

      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. Departure time is between 7 and 7:30 am at these stations. 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 been occurring 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 Volcanic activity and earthquakes in Reykjanes or Visit Iceland site. Or watch the video with Dr. Matthew Roberts from the Icelandic Meteorological Office explaining the recent volcanic activities in Iceland.

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