Laugavegur Trail - Including accommodation before and after

Route

What's the plan?

Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavik

Today you will have to make your way to Reykjavik. Here, you will spend the night in a hotel or B&B, preparing for your Laugavegur Trail adventure.

Day 2: Landmannalaugar - Hrafnttinnusker

First, you will take the bus from Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar. This will take about 4 hours. You then start with the hike. The first part of the route is the shortest in kilometers, but as the total height is almost 500 meters and this is the first day of the walk, many people find this part a bit exhausting. The weather is unstable in these areas, and it is often necessary to walk in the snow, which adds to the difficulty.  The first section goes up to the lava field of Laugahraun, crosses it, and then goes downhill before going back up to the plateau just below Brennisteinsalda. Stop here and admire the beautiful views, the flora, the mountains, and the gaps in all the colors of the rainbow.  

The route continues up to the plateau, where small ravines cut into the landscape as the rivers form the gentle mountain. The road ahead is all uphill, but not extremely steep. The next destination is Stórihver, a beautiful vegetation spot right next to a buzzing geyser where you can stop, rest your legs, and have a picnic from the provision box. From here it is about an hour's walk to the Höskuldsskáli hut near Hrafntinnusker.   

Distance: 10.5 kilometers
Walking duration: 4-5 hours
Ascent: 500 meters
Descent: 90 meters

Day 3: Hrafnttinnusker - Álftavatn

The path from Hrafntinnusker runs along the slopes of Reykjafjöll. The area is a valley floor that is mostly flat, but there are a few ravines that need to be crossed with extra care as they are often half full of snow. If the weather and visibility are good, it is recommended to do the extra walk up to Háskerðingur, the highest mountain in the area, 1281m. The hike takes about 1-1.5 hours. Be careful, there are often glacier gorges in the ice just below the top. However, the top itself is usually snow-free in summer.  

The trail now goes up and down through some canyons until it reaches the edge of Jökultungur, with incomparable views of the entire trail and the three glaciers Tindfjallajökull, Eyjafjallajökull, and Mýrdalsjökull. The way down along the Jökultungur is quite steep and rocky, so be careful. At the bottom of the Jökultungur awaits the Grashagakvísl River, which in some cases can be crossed by a snow bridge. If not, you have to cross the river on foot. The water in Grashagakvísl is fresh and good to drink. From here, the route to the cabin at Lake Álftavatn is easy.  

Distance: 12.2 kilometers
Walking duration: 4-5 hours
Ascent: 80 meters
Descent: 560 meters



Day 4: Álftavatn - Emstrur

From Álftavatn the trail heads east over Brattháls and further east to Hvanngil. The Bratthálskvísl river has no bridge and must be crossed on foot, which is relatively easy in most cases. From the hill above Hvanngil, the view is magnificent. In Hvanngil, hikers can use the toilet facilities. Some hikers choose to spend the night here instead of in Álftavatn. From Hvanngil there is a short walk to the river Kaldaklofskvísl, which can be crossed by a footbridge. Just south is another river, Bláfjallakvísl, without a bridge. Be careful, especially during heavy rainfall the water can rise quickly.  

The route now runs mostly along the main road until it reaches the river Innri Emstruá. This one has a bridge. Occasionally you have to walk through some water because there is an overflow that crosses the bridge. Just south of this, the path bends from the main road to the left and southwards to Emstrur, where the land is practical without vegetation. In dry weather, with strong winds, especially from the north, there can be a sand storm. The path lies between two mountains, called Útigönguhöfðar, and in about an hour you reach the Botnar hut in Emstrur.  

Distance: 17 kilometers
Walking duration: 5 hours
Ascent: 200 meters
Descent: 260 meters

Day 5: Emstrur - Þórsmörk

Today, you will have to start early with the hike, to take the bus back to Reykjavik. From the huts in Botnar the trail leads east. Shortly afterward you come to a bridge over the river Syðri-Emstruá. The river flows into a narrow deep gorge that reaches as far as Entujökull. People with a fear of heights may have difficulty reaching and crossing the bridge. From there, the trail leads past Langháls and to the merging of the Markarfljót and Syðri-Emstruá rivers. It is recommended to walk to the edge of the gorge where the rivers meet, before walking south through Almenningar. Soon the path runs through two small ravines, Slyppugil and Bjórgil. In each of these ravines is a stream with drinkable water.  

After climbing the last-named gorge, Bjórgil, the path leads to Fauskatorfur and gradually to an area with more vegetation, also called Úthólmar. The hill up from the river Ljósá is called Kápa or Overjas and is the last steep slope on the path. When the path goes down from Kápa, you have to cross the river Þröngá, which is not difficult in most cases but can be quite rocky. The river marks the border of Þórsmörk and now it is only a half an hour's walk through the pleasant forests of Hamraskógar until you arrive at Húsadalur in Þórsmörk. You can find the volcano huts here, and from here, the bus will bring you back to Reykjavik in about 4 hours.  

Distance: 16.2 kilometers
Walking duration: 6 hours
Ascent: 290 meters
Descent: 550 meters

Day 6: Departure from Reykjavik

After breakfast, our services and your Laugavegur Trail adventure will be over. Have a safe trip back home!

What's Included

Included:

√ Booking the huts
We will take care of arranging accommodation for you. We will also provide you with a detailed itinerary for every stage and instructions on how to get to the trailhead. 

√ Accommodation
We will arrange your accommodation before, on, and after the Laugavegur Trail in huts. The accommodation on the Laugavegur Trail will be in shared rooms. The accommodation in Reykjavik will be, if possible, in private rooms.

√ Accommodation in Reykjavik
Before and after your hike, we will arrange an accommodation for you in Reykjavik. 

√ Transfers
Once in Reykjavik, you will have to take the bus to Landmannalaugar, where the Laugavegur Trail starts. We will book the bus for you, so the tickets are included in this package. You will also receive information on which bus you have to take and a timetable.

Excluded:

× Airfare and Visa
The total amount is exclusive of flights to Reykjavik. 

× Meals
Meals are not included in the package, you will have to bring it yourself. You can use the kitchen and all the facilities in each hut.

× Baggage Transfer
Baggage transfer is not included in this trek. However, there is a possibility to have your baggage transferred along the way, for an additional charge. 

× Travel Insurance
Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.

× Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, drinks, and other similar expenses are for your own account.

Accommodation

Accommodation

Before and after walking the Laugavegur Trail, you will stay in a hotel or B&B in Reykjavik, where you will have a private room, if possible. On the Laugavegur Trail, you will spend the night in typical Icelandic huts. There are six huts along the route, all owned by Ferðafélag Íslands (Iceland Touring Association, FÍ). In Landmannalaugar, there are good facilities and there is a dormitory for 78 people. In Hrafntinnusker, 52 people can sleep, and in Álftavatn 72 people can sleep in the huts. In Hvanngil there is room for 60 people and the same number goes in the Botnar hut in Emstrur. Þórsmörk offers a large and spacious chalet with room for 75 people. 

Keep in mind that the next available accommodation in the Icelandic highlands may be many hours' walk or drive away, so plan your trip in advance. You must bring your own sleeping bag, as this is not provided. In the bigger huts, you can expect both running water and water toilets, but in some smaller huts, you will have to fetch water from a nearby stream and use an outdoor toilet.

In most huts along the Laugavegur Trail, it is possible to buy some supplies, such as dried food for backpacking, soft drinks, and bars. 

There are some main rules, that you must follow. Hygiene, cleanliness, and consideration for fellow travelers are very important. These hut rules are made to ensure a comfortable stay for everyone.

• If the manager is available, please discuss your reservation with him/her, where to sleep, and specific hut rules
• Rest times are from midnight to seven o'clock the next morning
• No shoes in the hut. Please leave your hiking boots in the hallway
• Smoking in the huts is strictly forbidden
• Leave the cooking area clean and tidy
• Add water to the big pot on the kitchen stove, if necessary
• When leaving, make sure the hut is clean and tidy
• Don't forget to pay for the facilities
• Help to keep the environment clean by not leaving your rubbish behind
• You hike in Iceland to experience nature. Remember: clean environment = beautiful nature!

Packing list

Packing List

Iceland's weather is completely unpredictable and constantly changing. The only predictable thing about Icelandic weather is the wind, as it is almost always blowing. For example, it is not unusual to experience a snowstorm in July or dense fog when the weather forecast was sunny! This is why walkers should always carry the same basic equipment in their rucksack, regardless of the season, weather, or length of the walk. This basic equipment includes navigation equipment (GPS, map, and compass) and wind and waterproof clothing. Please note that when staying in cabins in Iceland, you will need to bring both a sleeping bag and your own food, as you cannot buy a ready-to-eat meal in the cabins.   

Essentials:  
- Hiking boots (broken in)
- Hiking socks 
- Base layer tops - ideally thermal 
- Mid-layer tops (e.g. fleece)
- Trekking trousers 
- Hat for warmth or shade 
- Gloves 
- Waterproof jacket 
- Waterproof trousers 
- Casual clothing & footwear for evenings   
- Nightwear and underwear 
- Water bottle 
- Sunglasses & sunscreen 
- Toiletries 
- Meals
- Sleeping bag 

Extras:     
- Small first aid kit 
- Blister plasters 
- Insect repellent 
- Camera and charger 
- Map and compass  
- Whistle 
- Book to read 
-Energy snacks
- Walking Sticks

FAQ

FAQ

What is the best season?
The Laugavegur Trail is only accessible during the summer months, from June to September. In these months, you will find the least snow on the trails. Also, the bus that takes you to Landmannalaugar only runs in these months. 

How do I get to the starting point?
The best way to get to Landmannalaugar, the starting point of the Laugavegur Trail is by bus. There are two companies that sell tickets for their adventurous bus ride. Adventurous? Yes, it is definitely not a city bus ride. To get to Landmannalaugar, you follow gravel roads and cross a river. The bus is of course well equipped for this.

How do I get back to Reykjavik?
The bus that brought you from Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar, will also bring you back. You will get on the bus in Húsadalur, in Þórsmörk, at the 'Volcano Huts'. From here, the bus will take you in approximately 4 hours back to Reykjavik.

Direction of the Laugavegur Trail
The trail normally can be walked both ways, however, due to the popularity of the trail, it is a one-way, traditional route, starting in Landmannalaugar and ending in Þórsmörk. All Icelanders who hike the Laugavegur Trail take the route from north to south, so from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk. The view that suddenly opens up over the southern part of the trail, Álftavatn, and the southern glacier from Jökultungur, is pure magic and is forever in the memory of those who have experienced it.

Where to find maps?
Of course, there is nothing better than a real old-fashioned map, possibly made of paper. You can buy maps of the Laugavegur Trail in almost every bookstore in Reykjavik.

Safety

Safety

The Laugavegur Trail is perfectly safe. However, it is important that you hike between the months of June and September. If you go outside these months, the paths are covered with snow and it is a lot less safe to hike the Laugavegur Trail.

Icelandic Emergency Number: 112

COVID-19

COVID-19

How to Book

How to Book?

On Bookatrekking.com you can find and compare the adventures of your dreams. Is this trekking your match? In that case, you can proceed with your booking. At Bookatrekking.com you make a deposit of 30% of the total amount. In the case of this trek, we will check the availability at the respective accommodations for you. There are two possible outcomes:

√ There is availability 
We go ahead and make all necessary arrangements for your trip. Once confirmed, we will send you a confirmation and your personal hiking guide. The remaining 70% must be paid at least two (2) weeks before the start of the trekking.

X There is no availability 
If there is no availability, we will look for other starting dates or another trekking in agreement with you. Are there no other options for you? Then your deposit of 30% will be refunded.

Cancellation Policy
If all the accommodations of this trekking are booked and confirmed, you will lose your deposit of 30% at all times. If you cancel within 14 days of your start date, you will lose your full booking amount.

Is it not quite clear yet or do you have questions? Please contact us via support@bookatrekking.com. We are happy to help you.