Laugavegur Trail

Laugavegur Trek Basic (Huts)

A backpacking tour that will make you feel like a true explorer of the Icelandic highlands.

Tour code: IMGQ31

Laugavegur Trek Basic (Huts)

Explore The Icelandic Highlands With A Backpack

Embark on a journey from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk that minimizes your material belongings and lets you experience nature to the max. With all of what you need strapped to your back, you will traverse through extraordinary landscapes. Your highly experienced and knowledgeable guide will lead you between vibrant rhyolite mountains, through black sand deserts, past majestic canyons and end in the green valley of Thor (Þórsmörk). After each day of trekking, you will spend the night in a cozy mountain hut, where delicious food, and a good night’s rest awaits. Enjoy the trail that National Geographic named as one of the 20 best treks in the world. A truly unique adventure for nature enthusiasts.

Tour Overview

  • Meeting point

    BSI Bus terminal at 7:15

  • Group size

    6 - 14 participants

  • Language

    English (English/German)

    Language

    English/German departure: July 4th

  • Accommodation

    Mountain hut

  • Transport

    Public bus

  • Walkin per day

    4 - 7 hrs

  • Total Distance

    56 km (35 mi)

  • Max Ascent

    600 m (1900 ft)

  • Difficulty

    Challenging

    Difficulty

    Suites those that are physically active and have some background in basic traveling in mountainous terrain with a backpack. 6-7 hrs walks per day.

  • Availability

    Jul - Aug

  • Duration

    4 days

  • 14

    Minimum age:

    14 yrs

Contact Us

For availability information on a tour, please contact us using the form below.

Primary passenger information

Tour information

Thank you for the request, we will contact you with further information.

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Tour Highlights

Included

  • Experienced and qualified guide
  • Transport at the beginning and end of trek
  • Breakfast (3), Lunch (4), Dinner (3)
  • Mountain hut sleeping bag accommodation in dormitories

Not Included

  • Transfer of luggage
  • Showers in huts (payable on site)

Tour Map and Itinerary

Click map for detailed itinerary

Laugavegur Trek Basic (Huts)

MAP & ITINERARY

Day 1

Reykjavík - Landmannalaugar - Hrafntinnusker

We take the regular public bus from BSI central bus staion at 08:00.   Arriving in Landmannalaugar at noon, we have  lunch and then head south into the mountains. The trail takes us past small gorges, steaming hot springs and yellow mountain ridges. Arrival at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut, were we will stay the night, in the late afternoon.
Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Walking time:
4 - 5 hrs
Ascent:
470 m (1540 ft)

Day 2

Hrafntinnusker - Álftavatn

From Hrafntinnusker we descend down in the gullies of Jökultungur with hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools. Up there we enjoy fascinating views to the south to the Álftavatn area (Swan Lake), and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. In the afternoon we arrive at Álftavatn hut where we stay the night.
Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Walking time:
4 - 5 hrs
Descent:
490 m (1610 ft)

Day 3

Álftavatn - Emstrur

We pass at the foot of the green conic volcano of Stórasúla before entering the black deserts of Mælifellssandur. Heading towards another ancient and verdurous volcano, the Hattfell, we enter the Emstrur region where farmers used to graze their sheep in summer. Before arriving at the Botnar hut where we stay the night, we visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon cut 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)

Day 4

Emstrur - Þórsmörk - Reykjavík

We continue up and down 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's hiking the vegetation starts to grow thicker and higher as we descend in to Þórsmörk's (the woods of Thor) green valleys filled with arctic birch forests and colorful flowers. In Thorsmork we catch the evening bus back to Reykjavík.
Distance: 17 km (10.5 mi)
Walking time:
6 - 7 hrs
Descent:
300 m (985 ft)

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
Click to activate the map

Practical Information

You can shower in the huts that have showers available, some huts do not have any shower facilities. Where showers are available there is a small fee to use them.

 

Some huts have flushable toilets others have outhouses.  

There will be running cold water in all the huts. You will need to heat water to get hot water.

The mountain huts have no private rooms available, all rooms are dormitories.

No, the huts have a fully equipped kitchen.

We recommend bringing a power bank to charge your electronic devices. The huts do not have electricity. There is a slight chance the wardens will be able to charge for you for a fee of ISK 500. 

Vegan meal plan can be ordered upon booking the tour for a small additional fee. We don't offer gluten free supplements so we advice participants to bring their own gluten free items if needed. 

If a date is not available it either fully booked or not offered on that date. You are welcome to contact us for a private tour if you cannot join on an available date. Please email [email protected] to request a private tour.

You can find all our terms of payments for day or multi-day tours here.

For your own well being and safety, we strongly suggest following the advice of our equipment list, this includes having good quality rain gear, tops and bottoms! Please respect that cotton clothing is not appropriate for any strenuous outdoor activity. Modern outdoor clothing is by far more comfortable and will greatly improve your experience.

  • Sturdy Hiking Boots – waterproof with good ankle support. 
  • Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic. 
  • T-shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic. 
  • Light wool or fleece sweater (2nd layer).
  • Trousers – Strong and light material that dries quickly e.g. soft-shell. 
  • Jacket with a good hood – windproof, waterproof and breathable. 
  • Rain trousers – windproof, waterproof and breathable. Please note that full rain gear is mandatory in Iceland. 
  • Gloves 1 – 2 pairs – Wool or synthetic (polypropylene / polyester). 
  • Socks – Wool or synthetic. Two or three pairs. 
  • Warm hat – Wool or synthetic. 
  • Long Johns (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic.
  • Warm jacket/sweater – Wool or fleece (3rd layer).
  • Backpack – (woman size: 50-60 litres - man size: 60-75 litres) – note that each guest will need about 10 litres of free space for food.
  • River 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. Open sandals or flip-flops will not do the job. 
  • Sleeping bag liner. Sleeping bag will be available in the huts.
  • Power-bank / extra battery for your electronics – small solar cells usually do not work that well in Iceland so a pre-charged power bank is a better option. Charging your electronics in the highlands often is not an option or will cost you extra. Having converters adapters for 220 V and/or USB will help. 
  • Towel – light weight and packable. 
  • Sunglasses & sun protection. 
  • Water container – thermos flask, water bottle 0.5 – 1 liter or camelback 
  • Personal first aid kit – including blister care. 
  • Prescription medication and other personal health items.
  • Toiletries; Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap etc. 
  • Earplugs
  • Walking pole(s).
  • Gaiters
  • Neoprene socks – highly recommended for river crossings. 
  • Pocket knife. 
  • Sun/rain hat or a cap. 
  • Shorts
  • Puffy jacket (e.g. Primaloft or down) 
  • Camera, spare batteries and a memory card or films.
  • Dry-bags for electronics and extra clothing. 
  • Slippers for indoor use.
  • Pillow or pillow case (to wrap around your warm sweater or down jacket for a pillow)
  • Aperitif or other heart-warming spirits: Liquor laws in Iceland prohibit the sale of alcohol in most places you come by on your trip in the highlands. So having a flask (preferably plastic or metal) to share with your fellow travels in front of the camp fire (gas heater) can be the crowning of a good day. You can take care of this in the duty-free up on arrival in Iceland if you like. Just follow all the Icelanders on your flight – they will take you straight to duty-free!
  • Playing cards and travel games – or other toys you might like and can travel
  • Cash – for the showers, a shower normally costs about 500 ISK.