Laugavegur Trek - 5 Days: Self Guided (Huts) – Iceland – FlashpackerConnect Adventure Travel

Iceland's most famous hiking trail Laugavegur, is known worldwide for its astounding and breathtaking sceneries. On this 5 day (Self Guided) trekking adventure you will experience the highlands of Iceland and its diverse landscapes. Glaciers, bubbling hot springs, fields of lava, multi colored mountains and much much more!

Departures (On Demand): June - September

Duration: 5 days/ 4 nights

Distance: 56 km (34 mi)

Difficulty: moderate

Accommodation: Mountain Huts

Also available as a Guided Tour (Hut Trip):

Laugavegur & Fimmvorduhals Trek- 6 Days (Guided Huts)
Laugavegur Trek - 4 Days (Guided Huts)

The Tour (Laugavegur Trail Self Guided):

Trek along the famous Laugavegur trail at a speed that you choose. Our self-guided version of this classic hike allows for you to have an adventure that few others experience on this same route. As you traverse from Landmannalaugar’s bubbling geothermal area to the lush, green Þórsmörk valley, you are setting your own pace. Trek fast, if it suits you, or slow down and really enjoy the magnificent nature around you. Either way, you will encounter yellow rhyolite mountains, black sand deserts, great canyons, lava fields, waterfalls, volcanoes and more. See for yourself why National Geographic has named this classic trail one of the best in the world.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Reykjavík - Landmannalaugar - Hrafntinnusker

During the summer months, you'll travel on a scheduled public bus that follows the mountain tracks leading to Landmannalaugar, passing by notable volcanoes in the Dómadalur area, including Hekla. The bus departs Reykjavík (or a designated bus terminal) at 8am and arrives at Landmannalaugar around noon. After enjoying lunch, it's recommended to begin the trek south into the mountains. The trail features breathtaking views of small gorges, steaming hot springs, and yellow mountain ridges. You'll reach Hrafntinnusker mountain hut in the late afternoon, where you'll spend the night.

‍
Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Walking time: 4 - 5 hrs
Ascent: 470 m (1540 ft)

Day 2: Hrafntinnusker - Álftavatn

Hut Itinerary: Hrafntinnusker - Álftavatn
From Hrafntinnusker you descend down into the gullies of Jökultungur with hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools. Up there you enjoy fascinating views southwards to the Álftavatn area (Swan Lake), and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. In the afternoon you arrive at Álftavatn hut where you stay the night.

‍
Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Walking time: 4 - 5 hrs
Descent: 490 m (1610 ft)

Day 3: Álftavatn - Emstur

You pass the foot of the green conic volcano Stórasúla before entering the black deserts of Mælifellssandur. Heading towards another ancient and verdurous volcano, the Hattfell, you enter the Emstrur region where farmers used to graze their sheep in summer. Before arriving at the Botnar hut where you stay the night, you can visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon, cut almost 200 m down into the rocks south of Hattfell.

‍
Distance: 15 km (9.5 mi)
Walking time: 6 - 7 hrs
Descent: 40 m (130 ft)

Day 4: Emstur-Þórsmörk

Continue up and down through the small valleys and gullies of Emstrur, where the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier rises only a couple of kilometers away. At the end of the day the vegetation starts to grow thicker and higher as you descend into Þórsmörk's green valleys (the woods of Thor), filled with arctic birch forests and colorful flowers. Accommodation in one of the huts in Þórsmörk.

‍
Distance: 15 km (9.5 mi)
Walking time: 6 - 7 hrs
Descent: 300 m (985 ft)

Day 5: Þórsmörk-Reykjavík

You spend the morning in Þórsmörk with a possibility of walking along one of its numerous paths. For example, visit the Sönghellir cave (“Song cave”) or climb the small mountain of Valahnúkur from where magnificent views can be enjoyed, before taking the afternoon bus back to Reykjavík. Arrival at Reykjavik Central bus Station at around 19:30.

‍

Please note: All of the huts are heated, some have electricity and some have hot water. They all have bunk rooms with single and twin beds.

Additional Details:

It's important to keep in mind that while all the huts are heated, not all of them have electricity or hot water. Additionally, bunk rooms with both single and twin beds are available, but it's necessary for hikers to be ready to share a bunk with fellow travelers.
Luggage Transport and meal packs can be provided at an additional cost. Please inquire.
Sleeping bag, can be added in booking process
Showers in huts (payable on site)

About Iceland Huts:

Mountain huts in Iceland are basic but comfortable accommodations that are designed to provide shelter for hikers and mountaineers along some of the best hiking trails in the world. The huts are typically located in remote areas and are managed by the Icelandic Touring Association (ITA).

The facilities and services provided by the huts vary depending on their location and size. Some huts are small and offer basic amenities such as bunk beds, a communal kitchen, and a simple toilet. Others are larger and offer more extensive facilities such as hot showers, a dining room, and a shop that sells food and supplies (so bring along extra ISK for payment).

Most huts in Iceland are self-catered, which means that hikers need to bring their own food and cooking equipment. Some huts have gas stoves or wood-burning stoves that hikers can use to cook their meals, while others require hikers to bring their own camping stoves.

The huts are typically staffed by volunteers who help to maintain the facilities and provide information and advice to hikers.

Overall, mountain huts in Iceland are a great way to experience the country's rugged wilderness and meet other hikers and mountaineers from around the world. They provide a basic but comfortable base for exploring the great outdoors, and offer a unique and memorable experience for those who love adventure and the great outdoors.

Additional Trip Info

Transport from and to Reykjavik at the beginning and end of trek
Detailed information pack including self-guided walking-route, notes and maps
Dormitory Style Accommodation for 4 nights in mountain huts (sleeping bag required)
Luggage transferred between each hut, 1x item per person (max 18kg/40lbs per bag - soft shell preferred)
City tax‍

**Hikers will need to bring/pack their own food, and make sure it fits in their transferred luggage. Huts provide simple cooking utensils such as pots, pans, plates and cutlery.

Sleeping bag, can be added in booking process
Showers in huts (payable on site)
Food during the trip
Travel Insurance - We recommend World Nomads, or Global Rescue

Hiking boots - good sturdy boots with sufficient ankle support, robust sole and waterproof
Thermal underwear (long sleeve top and bottom) made of wool or synthetics (not cotton)
Wool or fleece thermal mid layer
Hiking pants (we don't recommend cottons as they take long to dry if wet)
Hiking socks made of wool or synthetic (at least 2-3 pairs)
Waterproof and breathable (fabric such as Gore-Tex or similar) both pants and jacket (preferably with a hood)
Gloves and mittens - wool or synthetic (waterproof over gloves/mitts recommended)
Warm hat and/or balaclava
HEALTH SUPPLIES AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE IF NEEDED
Day backpack about 25-40 L
Travel sack for your baggage that is transported between huts. (Suitcases are not recommended, we recommend a waterproof duffel bag)
River crossing shoes -for example quick drying trail runners, sandals (with straps) or neoprene shoes
Sleeping bag and travel pillow
Towel
Toothbrush and personal toiletries
Sunglasses/sunscreen
1-2 L Water bottle
Hiking poles
Gaiters
Penknife
Camera, batteries & memory card
Book
Headlamp for trips in late season (after August 10th)
Earplugs
Money for the showers (500 kr in coins)
Power bank / portable charging device