Laugavegur Trail
Backpacking
5-Day Skaftafell Wild Camping Trek: Núpsstaðarskógar Route
A 5-day guided trek from Núpsstaðarskógar to Skaftafell: the canyons and waterfalls of the Núpsá river, a full day crossing Skeiðarárjökull glacier, and four nights wild camping.
Tour code: IMG41
Price from:
Book$2,385
Our Signature Trek in Glacier Paradise
This is one of the treks we are proudest to run. Five days on foot from Núpsstaðarskógar to Skaftafell, carrying everything you need on your back, sleeping in a tent each night, and spending one whole day walking across a glacier. It is a trail very few travellers ever set foot on.
You start in the birch woods of Núpsstaðarskógar and climb into the highlands beside the Núpsá river, past the Tvílitihylur waterfalls and up into canyons where the walls rise close to 200 metres above you and the sound of water never quite leaves. Then the ground opens out onto the Sléttur plains, over the Eggjar hills, and the Vatnajökull icecap fills the horizon ahead.
Day three is the crossing itself. Roughly 10 km on Skeiðarárjökull, most of a day on the ice, with glacier safety equipment and a guide who knows the route. You step back onto solid ground in Norðurdalur, a valley shut in by ice and high ridges, and camp above glacial lakes with icebergs drifting in them.
From there the route climbs over the rhyolite mountains of Skaftafellsfjöll, with the yellow valley of Kjós on one side and Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland's highest peak, on the other. It drops into Morsárdalur, and the last of the walking takes you through the arctic birch forest of Bæjarstaðarskógur before you finish in Skaftafell, in Vatnajökull National Park.
It asks a lot of you. 55 km in total, difficulty 4 on our scale, three to nine hours of walking a day, and you carry your own tent, food and share of the group gear. Good fitness and some multi-day hiking behind you are both needed. Minimum age is 16.
We run it in July and August only, in groups of four to eight, with an experienced and qualified guide.
How it differs from Laugavegur
On our Laugavegur Trek Classic you sleep in mountain huts and your luggage is moved between them for you. Here there are no huts and no luggage transfer. You camp wild for four nights and carry everything yourself, and in return you get a trail almost to yourselves and a full day on a glacier that the Laugavegur trail never touches.
The tour starts and ends in Reykjavík. Transport to the trailhead at Núpsstaðarskógar and back from Skaftafell is included, and you either meet us at the BSÍ bus terminal or we collect you from your accommodation in the city centre.
Tour Overview
- Language
- English
- Group Size
- 5 - 12 participants
- Duration
- 5 days
- Meeting Point
- BSÍ Bus terminal
- Accommodation
- Wild Camping
- Total Distance
- 55 km (34 mi)
- Walking per day
- 3 - 9 hours
- Max. Ascent
- 450 m (1475 ft.)
- Minimum age
- 16 years
- Duration
- 5 days
- Difficulty
- Demanding
16
Customer Reviews
This was an amazing tour. The guides are very professional, knowledgeable and cautious with safety. We had an amazing trip.
Tour Highlights
Included
- Experienced and qualified guide
- Camping accommodation in two persons tent
- Transport at the beginning and end of trek
- Breakfast (4), Lunch (5), Dinner (4)
- Safety equipment for glacier crossing
Not included
- Sleeping bag
- Mattress
- Transfer of luggage
Tour Map and Itinerary
Click map for detailed itineraryMap & Itinerary
5-Day Skaftafell Wild Camping Trek: Núpsstaðarskógar Route
Reykjavík - Núpstaðaskógar valley - Tvílitihylur waterfalls
Day 1
We will pick you up in your accommodation in the Reykjavik city center or you can meet your driverguide at BSI Bus Terminal. We will then begin our journey in our private vehicle along Iceland’s stunning South Coast to the trailhead at Núpsstaðaskógur. After dividing up tents and supplies, we set off into a dramatic canyon carved by the river.
The first day is a gentle introduction, giving us time to find our pace before reaching camp. We spend the night surrounded by towering cliffs and the sound of rushing water—a magical start to the journey.
Distance: 4 - 5 km (3 mi)
Elevation: Ascent40 m
Walking time: 2-3hrs.
Sléttur plains - Eggjar hills
Day 2
After a short climb, we reach the Tvílitihylur waterfalls, then follow the sculpted Núpsá canyon with cliffs soaring nearly 200 meters. Emerging onto the Sléttur plains and climbing the Eggjar Hills, we are rewarded with sweeping views of Vatnajökull icecap and its vast Skeiðarárjökull glacier.
Camp is set near the glacier, surrounded by Iceland’s silent, wild beauty.
Distance: 10 - 12 km (6–7,5 mi)
Elevation: Ascent400 m
Walking time: 6 - 7 hrs.
Glacier Challenge: Crossing Skeiðarárjökull
Day 3
This is the big day—the glacier crossing. For nearly 10 km, we traverse the icy wilderness of Skeiðarárjökull, a demanding but unforgettable challenge. The landscape is like another world, with ridges, crevasses, and endless ice stretching into the distance. By evening, we step off the glacier into the hidden Norðurdalur valley, one of Iceland’s most extraordinary gems. Our campsite overlooks glassy glacial lakes with floating icebergs and colorful rhyolite mountains glowing in the evening light.
Distance: 11-14 km (7–8,5 mi)
Elevation: Ascent 150-200 m
Walking time: 7 – 8 hrs.
From Rhyolite Ridges to Birch Forests
Day 4
The day begins with a climb onto a narrow ridge, where the views will take your breath away—on one side, the golden rhyolite valley of Kjós; on the other, Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur, dominating the horizon. From here, we descend into the lush Morsárdalur valley, where each step brings more greenery until we’re walking through the enchanting birch forest of Bæjarstaðarskógur. It feels like entering a different world. We camp on the valley plain, embraced by forest and mountain views.
Distance: 12 - 18 km (7,5 - 11 mi)
Elevation: Ascent 350 m and descent 1.000 m
Walking time: 7 - 8 hrs.
Morsárdalur → Skaftafell → Reykjavík
Day 5
Our final day takes us through the beauty of Morsárdalur valley before finishing in Skaftafell National Park—the perfect finale to this epic trek. From here, we catch our bus back to Reykjavík, retracing the scenic south coast. Along the way, we can stop at Skógafoss waterfall and the world-famous Reynisfjara black sand beach. We return to the city in the evening, tired but exhilarated, with memories of Iceland’s wildest landscapes etched forever in our minds.
Distance: 8 km (5mi)
Walking time: 2 - 4hrs.
Stay informed about the Núpsstaðarskógar to Skaftafell trek
From time to time we send updates about new routes
Practical Information
FAQ
Equipment List
How is it best to train for my tour?
To train for this tour, we highly recommend taking regular hikes in your local area, especially in places where the route includes both uphill and downhill segments, as well as uneven terrain. It's beneficial to carry some weight on your back during these hikes to simulate the conditions you'll experience on the tour. Begin with shorter walks and progressively increase their length to build the endurance needed for the longer hiking days you'll encounter during the tour.
Incorporating both low aerobic and aerobic training will help you build the strength and endurance required for longer hikes.
Lastly, it's crucial to train in the boots you plan to wear on the tour. Ensure they are well broken-in and comfortable to prevent blisters and discomfort during your trip.
I am a vegetarian/vegan/gluten intolerant, will there be a food option for me, what is it?
Special dietary options, such as vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, and gluten-free, are available for an additional cost. These options will provide meals that meet the requirements of your diet.
The date I want to book is not available, can I still request to book?
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: incoming@mountainguides.is
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