Step 1
Landmannalaugar
Arriving in Landmannalaugar for lunch time and in the afternoon we take a 3-4 hour hike in this beautiful area.
This is Iceland’s most iconic trek. An itinerary that has become a classic, leading you from the well-trodden tracks of Landmannalaugar to the glacial valley of Thórmörsk. Heading south through high volcanic plateaus, you’ll discover an active geothermal region full of multicolored mountainsides, deserts of black sand and deep canyons before finishing in Thórsmörk’s verdant valley at the foot of three glaciers. You’ll spend every night in a mountain hut along the way.
Departure dates :
June :
from June 24th to 28th 2023
July :
from July 01th to 05th 2023
from July 08th to 12th 2023
from July 15th to 19th 2023
from July 22th to 26th 2023
August :
from July 29th to August 01st 2023
from August 05th to 09th 2023
from August 12th to 16th 2023
from August 29th to 23th 2022
from August 26th to 30th 2022
September :
from September 02nd to 06th 2022
from September 09th to 13th 2022
Length of the trek: 5 days
Length of each leg: 4-9 hours (12 to 20 km per day)
Distance covered: 60 to 70 km
Altitude: 200-1100 m.
Maximum change in altitude per day: 600 m.
Group Size: 16 participants maximum
Accommodation: mountain huts and sleeping bags.
Luggage: carried by a vehicle during the day.
Step 1
Arriving in Landmannalaugar for lunch time and in the afternoon we take a 3-4 hour hike in this beautiful area.
Step 5
In afternoon, board the bus back to Reykjavík. Arrival at the central station early evening.
Rendezvous at the Reykjavik bus station early morning to meet your guide. The bus takes you through the Domadalur region, rich in volcanoes, and you’ll go along the foot of Mt. Hekla before arriving in Landmannalaugar for lunch time and in the afternoon we take a 3-4 hour hike in the area and then dive into the hot springs!
You’ll head due south to begin the mythical “Laugavegur trek”. The path crosses lava fields, little gorges and climbs up the high plateaus in a setting of multicoloured mountains, hot water sources and solfataras. Arrive by the end of the day to the mountain hut in Hrafntinnusker. You are above 1000 meters in altitude, and in another world!
From Hrafntinnusker you’ll go up and down the roller coasters of the Jökultungur ravines with their hundreds of hot water sources and little turquoise water reservoirs that emit white smoke. Surprising splashes of colour dot this otherwise austere landscape. On the horizon you’ll see the white icecaps of the Myrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. Soon you’ll come to Alftavatn lake, known by Icelanders as “swan lake”, before heading to the next hut in Hvanngil.
You’ll go by the foot of Storasula’s surprisingly green volcanic cone before reaching the black sand of the Mælifellssandur desert. Then it’s off to another ancient volcano, this time with a very characteristic shape, Hattfell or “hat mountain”, whose different shades of green contrast stunningly with the black sand of the desert. Arriving in the Emstrur you may even come across some adventurous sheep! Before arriving at the mountain hut in Botnar, you’ll discover the impressive Markarfljot canyon that cuts deeper than 200 metres into Hattfell’s southern flanks. Staying overnight in the Botnar mountain hut, magnificently located in front of the Myrdalsjökull glacier.
You keep descending following verdant valleys and crossing little mountain passes until the Emstrur ravine; the glacier tongues of Myrdalsjökull come here to melt several kilometres up. As you descend, the vegetation becomes progressively more abundant and the first dwarf birch trees announce your arrival in the forests of Thor. Thorsmörk. Your arrival in the glacial valley and the white birch forests is enchanting after the desert crossing the day before. And the comfortable mountain hut is definitely a welcome sight! In afternoon, board the bus back to Reykjavík.
Arrival around 7:30 PM at the central station.
Accomodation is provided in well-kept mountain huts. They are heated, some even have electricity and hot water, but they remain nevertheless mountain huts with no luxury and little privacy. You will stay in shared rooms with bunks that you may be forced to share. But in this wild environment, especially if there is difficult weather, these mountain huts will seem like four star hotels! Your guides prepare your breakfast and dinners in the mountain huts. With your help of course! Lunch will be taken in the form of cold picnics on site.
Request quoteDeparture from Saturday to Wednesday, from Reykjavík to Reykjavík.
It is possible to schedule a private departure date.
*Final price is based on the number of participants and depending the season.
Our guide will take you to the most beautiful sites on the trek, often off the main walking trail. There will be an English speaking Icelander driving the support 4WD vehicle. The guide will adapt the itinerary to the level of the group and the weather. Groups from 5 to 16 people. The guide will be English and French speaking, as some participants in the group may be from French speaking countries. You will need to participate in daily tasks: loading and unloading of the kitchen equipment and food from the support car, food preparation under the supervision of the guide, washing up dishes…etc