Laugavegur Trek (Hut to Hut)

The day starts with breakfast, and during breakfast the trekkers will prepare a lunch pack for the day. The trekkers carry what they need for the day in their day pack. On the day’s trek, bring a snack and lunch for the hike, plus extra clothes. Everything else will be transferred by 4×4 vehicle to the next campsite.

The trek starts with a trek through the Laugahraun Lava to the mountain Brennisteinsalda. Along the way, the group will see bubbling rivers, geothermal hot springs, lava formations, and colorful mountains as it hikes to Hrafntinnusker at 1100 meters above sea level. The view from there is fantastic, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding volcanic landscape and nearby glaciers.

The area is also known for its abundance of obsidian, a black volcanic glass formed from rapidly cooled lava.

Hrafntinnusker sits about halfway between Landmannalaugar and Álftavatn, where we end the day. From there, we begin descending to Lake Álftavatn, where we camp overnight. There is a toilet facility at Hrafntinnusker (dry toilet)

On this trail, we must cross one river, so river-wading shoes are needed.

The day starts with breakfast and preparing lunch and a snack for the day hike.  We begin the trek by viewing Lake Álftavatn. The lake lies in the heart of the Icelandic Highlands, surrounded by breathtaking volcanic landscapes. Lake Álftavatn is known for its stunning natural beauty, with crystal-clear waters reflecting the surrounding mountains and lava fields. We will enjoy different landscapes for the rest of the day as we hike onto Mælifellssandur, with black sand around us, green hills in the background, and a great view of the magnificent glacier Mýrdalsjökull, where the volcano Katla rests. Today we will have the opportunity to see Markarfjótsgljufur Canyon.

We will spend the night in the hut at Emstrur, where we will have dinner and take a short evening walk to see the nearby canyon.

After breakfast and preparing for the day, we leave Emstrur behind and continue south toward Þórsmörk. The landscape gradually changes as we descend from the open, rugged Highlands into greener and more sheltered valleys.

Along the way, the trail crosses dramatic volcanic terrain shaped by glaciers, rivers, and past eruptions, with impressive views of surrounding mountains and glacier-covered peaks. As we approach Þórsmörk, vegetation becomes increasingly abundant, providing a striking contrast to the stark landscapes of the previous days.

Þórsmörk is one of Iceland’s most beautiful natural areas, known for its dramatic mountain scenery, deep valleys, glacial rivers, and native birch forests. Surrounded by glaciers and rugged peaks, it provides a spectacular setting for the final section of the Laugavegur Trail and a memorable conclusion to our journey through the Highlands.

Today we wake up in our camp in a natural birch forest in Básar in the Thorsmörk valley. We will have breakfast, then hike to one of the surrounding peaks. From there, we’ll have panoramic views of glaciers, including Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, as well as the surrounding valleys and mountains of Thórsmörk. After the hike, we’ll have lunch in the hut before we travel in our 4×4 truck to the main road and on to Reykjavík. Estimated arrival in Reykjavík, where the traveler will be dropped off at their hotel, is between 17:00 and 18:00. On the way back from Thórsmörk, you can hike the Stakkholtsgjá canyon or stop to see the Seljalandsfoss waterfall.