Along with an experienced guide, hike the most famous trek in Iceland. Five days trekking following the Laugavegur hiking trail in the southern interior of Iceland. From Landmannalaugar hot Springs to the glacier valley of Fimmvörðuháls in Þórsmörk.
Your epic adventure will take place in a breathtaking nature. For more confort there will be a 4wd carrying belonging and food from one camp to another.
The Laugarvegur/Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail in South Iceland is one of the world’s Top 20 hikes, according to National Geographic. This trail has also be nominated as one of two European hikes to enter the Top 20 list of ‘dream trails’. Half of the Top 20 are in America, with the other half shared more or less equally between Africa, Asia, Australasia, Central & South America, and Europe.The Laugarvegur trail will take you from Landmannalaugar located in the highland of Iceland a wild area believed to be the inspiration for J.R.R Tolkien’s descriptions of Middle Earth.The goal of the hike is to reach Fimmvörðuháls between the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull ice caps. On the way, National Geographicreviewer Jennifer Pharr Davis describes the trail as “stunning in every respect” and as offering “more variety in 50 miles than most trails offer in 500”.“Few hikes offer the pure wilderness experience of Laugavegurinn, which wanders through otherworldly volcanic landscapes, paired with stays at comfy huts each night,” writes Pharr Davis. “In between, there are steaming fumaroles, expanses of lichen-covered volcanic rocks, and stunning views of copper-colored rhyolite peaks.”
– An amazing area : The Laugavegur hike is located in the natural reserve of Fjallabak in the South-East part of Iceland and is part of the bigger Vatnajökull national park. Each year in summer we offer the opportunity to follow us for an unforgettable trek and probably the most famous one in Iceland, from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk… If you are looking for a unique hike adventure with breathless landscape this is the place to be.
– A trek in small group and with porterage : to have a pleasant and smooth trip and to make the most of it we only take small group (max 16 pers). No need to carry all day all your equipment, just keep your daily need in a backpack we carry the rest by 4wd from one camp to the other.
This trip starts by a pick up from Reykjavík center. It takes about 3-4 hours to get to Landmannalaugar were the hike starts and on the way, we drive along the south coast and then turn inland and pass Iceland’s most active volcano, Hekla. From Landmannalaugar we walk through this geothermal wonderland, looking at the colorful mountains and steaming hot springs. We walk by the beautiful hot spring Stórihver before crossing into the obsidian desert to reach Hrafntinnusker.
Distance: 12km (7.5 mi) Walking time: 4-5 hrs Ascent: 470 m (1540 ‘)
The breakfast is taken in our kitchen tent, once everything is cleaned and us ready, we head out again and walk along the Reykjafjöll mountains and then descend into the Jökultungur area. The geothermal activity has turned these gullies yellow and red. The view from the top of Jökultungur is great and look over the Fjallabak area where we instantly understand its translation as “Behind the mountains”. We can see the lake Álftavatn which is our next overnight stop. Before reaching Álftavatn we have to get our feet wet by crossing a stream.
Distance: 12km (7.5 mi) Walking time: 4-5 hrs Descent: 490 m (1610 ‘)
We start the day with another refreshing stream crossing as we make our way past the green volcano Stórasúla and into the black desert of Mælifellssandur. On our way we will see Hattafell, a volcano with a strange flat top. We walk today on this black glacial desert in direction of Emstrur. We can see from distance the view on Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. Just before reaching the campsite in Botnar we turn of the path to look at Markarfljótsgljúfur, almost 200m deep canyons carved out by the glacial river Markarfljót. Botnar is in a little green oasis, a welcome sight after walking through the black sands.
Distance: 15km (9.5 mi) Walking time: 6-7 hrs Descent: 40 m (130 ‘)
We leave Emstrur behind us and continue along the canyons on our way to the valley of Thorsmork. The trail takes us within a few kilometers to the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier. As we descend towards the green pasture of Almenningar a few trees can be seen, a sign that show we are getting closer to the coast. Near us is the characteristic mountain Einhyrningur as we get into the dense birch forest of Þórsmörk. Thorsmork is a green valley locate between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, a magnificent place to spend the night.
Distance: 15km (9.5 mi) Walking time: 6-7 hrs Descent: 300 m (985 ‘)
We have a more relaxing time in the morning enjoying our last breakfast in the hut before going out to explore amazing surroundings. We admire this fascinating landscape of ice and fire between glacier and volcano, an area carved by thousands of years by Mother Nature into surreal sculptures dotted with moss and Arctic birch trees. We hike up the mountain Útigönguhöfði for a fantastic view over the valley. We return to Reykjavík in the early evening around 18:30.
Distance: 6 km (3,5 mi) Walking time: 3 hrs The entries at the end of each day indicate the meals included.
Minimum number of participants: 6 persons (if you are a solo traveler contact us to see if you can join an existing group).
Maximum number of participants: 16 persons per guide.
Hike, itinerary & security: Hike without porterage with a level from easy to moderate depending on the day. There is approximately 6 hours of hike every day, you need to be in fit condition to maintain the rhythm and walk the itinerary. The day-by-day itinerary as it is indicated here can be modified or even reversed depending on natural circumstances (late or early heavy snow, eruption, river flooding, weather conditions…) The guide knows the field perfectly and is able to judge exceptional circumstances.
Accommodation: hut.
Trip extension: This trip can be combined with an individual extension to see more of Iceland. You can stay a couple of days in Reykjavik enjoying the northern most capital or visit another area. You can also add short excursions to the Blue Lagoon or go whale watching… For a trip extension don’t hesitate to contact us
Climate: because of the rough and changing climate in Iceland see below a list of recommended equipment to bring with you for this trip. You can except temperature between 0° and 20°C from April to September and from +5 to -20°C from October to March.
YOUR PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: