Laugavegur Trail

Laugavegur Trek Classic (Huts)

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Iceland’s most famous trek from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk lives up to the hype.

Tour code: IMG31

Laugavegur Trek Classic (Huts)
Price from: 301.664  ISK

Experience the Classic Laugavegur Trek

The rumors are true! Trekking in the southern highlands, from the geothermal hot spots in Landmannalaugar to the lush green landscape in Þórsmörk valley, is even more beautiful in person. Your highly experienced and knowledge trekking guide will take you in between vibrant yellow rhyolite mountains, over black sand deserts and past majestic canyons during this adventure. The magical and diverse landscape, combined with the long and bright Icelandic summer days, will capture your nature loving heart. Your guide will show you all the popular sites and hidden gems along this trail and tell you stories and folklore. In the evenings, you will relax and rejuvenate in cozy mountain huts and enjoy delicious Icelandic meals. We top off this amazing adventure with a celebratory BBQ on the last night in Þórsmörk. It is not a coincidence that this trail was named as one of the 20 best treks in the world by National Geographic.

See Laugavegur Trek (Landmannalaugar - Þórsmork) tour video.

If 5 days is not enough, add the Fimmvörðuháls pass to your itinerary and go for the 6 day Combo Trek.

If the departure you want is closed you can try to send us an email to [email protected] and we can see if we can fit you in.

Read our Covid-19 health and safety guidelines for multi-day tours

 

Tour Overview

  • Meeting point

    BSI Bus terminal at 6:30

  • Group size

    6 - 16 participants

  • Language

    English

  • Accommodation

    Mountain hut

  • Transport

    Public bus

  • Walkin per day

    4 - 7 hrs

  • Total Distance

    59 km (37 mi)

  • Max Ascent

    600 m (1900 ft)

  • Difficulty

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

  • Availability

    Jun - Sept

  • Duration

    5 days

  • 14

    Minimum age:

    14 yrs

Book this tour

Customer Reviews

Tour Highlights

Included

  • Experienced and qualified guide
  • Mountain hut sleeping bag accommodation in dormitories
  • Transport at the beginning and end of trek
  • Breakfast (4), Lunch (5), Dinner (4)
  • Transfer of luggage

Not Included

  • Sleeping bag
  • Hiking poles
  • Showers in huts (payable on site)
  • Vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian meal plan
  • Pick-up from hotel (the tour begins at BSÍ bus station at 6:30 AM)

Optional Extras

  • Sleeping bag
  • Hiking poles
  • Vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian meal plan

Tour Map and Itinerary

Click map for detailed itinerary

Laugavegur Trek Classic (Huts)

MAP & ITINERARY

Day 1

Reykjavík - Landmannalaugar - Hrafntinnusker

We take the public bus from BSI bus terminal at 07:00, that during the summer months drives the mountain tracks that lead to Landmannalaugar, passing by the Hekla volcano and other volcanoes in the Dómadalur area. Arriving in Landmannalaugar at noon, we have a 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

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. As our hike is coming to an end for the day, we descend into Þórsmörk’s (the woods of Thor) green valleys filled with arctic birch forests and colorful flowers. After arriving at the huts in Þórsmörk, we top off this amazing adventure with a barbecue! 
Distance: 19 km (12 mi)                                
Walking time:
6 - 7 hrs                       
Descent:
300 m (985 ft)

Day 5

Þórsmörk - Reykjavík

We spend the morning in Þórsmörk where we walk along one of numerous paths. For example, we can visit to the Sönghellir cave (Song cave), climb up the small mountain of Valahnúkur from where magnificent view can be enjoyed, before taking the afternoon bus to Reykjavík. Arrival at Reykjavik BSI bus terminal where the trip ends at 19:20.

Please note

  • All of the huts are heated, some have electricity and some have hot water. They have bunk rooms with single and twin beds, participants have to be prepared to share a bunk with other travelers from the group.

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
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 is either fully booked or not offered on that date. Due to hut allocation, we may not be able to add additional spots, but you are welcome to contact us via email: [email protected]

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, e.g. Gore-Tex or comparable.
  • Rain trousers – windproof, waterproof and breathable. Please note that full raingear is mandatory in Iceland, poncho is not useful because of wind.
  • Gloves – Wool or synthetic 2 pairs of different thickness.
  • Socks – Wool or synthetic. Two or three pairs.
  • Warm hat – Wool or synthetic.
  • Swimwear if you want to bathe in the hot geothermal pool in Landmannalaugar.
  • A duffel bag for the transport of your overnight gear between huts. Please avoid bringing a suitcase!
  • Day backpack for extra clothes and lunch pack during the day. 25 – 40L (1500 – 2500 cu in).
  • 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. A basic sleeping bag with no specific temperature rating is sufficient for this trek since all the huts are heated.
  • Towel – light weight and packable.
  • Sunglasses & sun protection.
  • Water container – thermos flask, water bottle 0.5 – 1L. or camelbak.
  • Headlamp for reading and getting around the hut.
  • Change of clothes for wearing in the hut.
  • Personal first aid kit – including blister care.
  • Prescription medication and other personal health items.
  • Toiletries; Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap etc.
  • Earplugs.
  • Lunch box
  • Walking pole(s). To preserve the vulnerable nature please keep the rubber tip protectors on.
  • 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.
  • Gaiters (recommended for departures in June and early July).
  • Pocket knife.
  • Sun/rain hat or a cap. Shorts.
  • Small thermal mat (to sit on for lunch breaks).
  • Puffy jacket (e.g. Primaloft or down).
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • Book - to read during the evenings.
  • 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!