Laugavegur Trek, South Coast & Glacier Hike - 5 Day Tour (Huts)

Day one of our adventure begins with collection from one of our many pick-up points in Reykjavik or along the South Coast (please note that this process may last up to 30 minutes depending on your location). Then once everyone is together, we will make the scenic journey inland, taking in famous sights such as the capricious Hekla volcano, whose many eruptions have crafted the surrounding area. The entire journey will last between 3 & 4 hours depending on the time of year and is a great way to soak up some of Iceland’s magnificent scenery and atmosphere.

Once we reach Landmannalaugar, we will be greeted by the imposing and awe-inspiring sight of the Laugahraun lava field: a glorious mix of green and black, crafted by the violent rage of the Brennisteinsalda Volcano in 1477. Once we have crossed Laugahraun, we will find ourselves in the foothills of Brennisteinsalda itself, whose vibrantly colored slopes have been dyed various shades of ruby, amber, emerald, and sapphire by the centuries of volcanic activity that it has experienced. This has made it one of the most iconic sights in all of Iceland and the ideal start to our trek into the Icelandic wilderness.

We will spend our first night at Landmannalaugar huts.

Meals included: lunch, refreshments & dinner.

Distance: 8 km / 4.9 mi. Hiking Time: 4 hours. Ascent: 470 m / 1540 '.

Day Highlights

• View of Hekla volcano
• Landmannalaugar
• Laugahraun lava field
• Brennisteinsalda volcano
• Hrafntinnusker obsidian desert
• Storihver Spring

Included

• Pickup and transportation from Reykjavík
• Lunch
• Refreshments
• Dinner
• Luggage transport
• Accommodation in a hut

After a traditional Icelandic breakfast, we will head towards Hrafntinnusker, a pitch black obsidian desert that will set the tone for an adventurous day. Next up are Reykjafjoll Mountains, whose snowy peaks provide awe-inspiring views over the surrounding area. After which, we will begin to descend into the Jökultungur area, a gorgeous emerald valley, replete with rocks that have been dyed blood red and vivid yellow by the volcanic activity that has occurred over the millennia. This part of the walk is especially majestic, with an otherworldly quality that is completely unique.

As we move through Jökultungur, the scenery will start to change: we will put the colorful rhyolite mountains behind us and enter an area filled with darker and more foreboding palagonite mountains. The higher mountains are dotted with snow-peaked glaciers, making it a profound place that will take your breath away.

By now we will be at the foot of the Jökultungur Mountain and our ascent will start to begin, meandering around the mountain path to its summit. Once we have scaled it, we will be rewarded with awe-inspiring views over Fjallabak an incredible nature reserve, whose majestic landscape has been crafted by erosion over thousands of years, and the picturesque Lake Alftavatn.

We will begin our descent towards the River Grashagakvisl, an emerald green oasis in an otherwise dark and rocky landscape, fording a small stream before we arrive at the idyllic Lake Álftavatn, (Whooper Swan Lake), where we will spend the night.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, refreshments & dinner.

Distance: 24 km / 14.9 mi. Hiking Time: 7-8 hours. Ascent: 900 m / 2950 '.

Day Highlights

• Reykjafjoll Mountains
• Jökultungur Mountain
• Lake Alftavatn
• River Grashagakvisl

Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Refreshments
• Accommodation in a hut
• Luggage transport

Day three’s adventure begins with an invigorating stream fording, as we press deeper into the spectacular Icelandic wilderness. Skirting around the foot of Stórasúla, a grass-carpeted volcano that rises up out of the beautiful landscape. This magnificent area is the perfect illustration of how rich volcanic soil is.

From there we will pass into the coal-black desert of Mælifellssandur: a foreboding black landscape, punctuated by icy-blue streams, which makes it one of the most unique places on the entire planet. Its center is pierced by the glorious Mt. Mælifell, an emerald green mountain that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding area. The entire area is truly stunning, with vibrant bursts of color, contrasting beautifully with the jet-black landscape.

Once we have traversed this beautiful black landscape, we will reach Emstrur, a narrow valley, with rich flora and fauna as far as the eye can see. Our penultimate stop will be the deep canyon of Markarfljótsgljúfur, a craggy canyon that has been hewn into the earth by the glacial river that runs through it. From there we will travel to our accommodation at Botnar, where we will dine under the stars and discuss the many beautiful things that we have seen on our adventures.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, refreshments & dinner.

Distance: 15 km / 9.5 mi. Hiking time: 6-7 hours. Descent: 40 m / 130 '.

Day Highlights

• Mælifellssandur black desert
• Mt. Mælifell
• Emstrur valley
• Markarfljótsgljúfur canyon

Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Refreshments
• Luggage transport
• Hut accommodation

Our final day in Iceland’s highlands will take us to Thorsmork, a stunning emerald valley nestled between two mighty glaciers. The journey begins close to the mighty Myrdalsjokull glacier, as we pick our way around its base an enjoy some stunning glacial scenery. From there we will travel past the uniquely shaped Einhyrningur (The Unicorn), a mountain, so named because it looks eerily similar to the legendary creature.

This will take us to a dense birch forest that marks the start of Thorsmork, an oasis of life and color nestled between the Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull Glaciers. It is named Thorsmork, because in Icelandic myth, Thor, created the valley with a blow of his mighty hammer. Steeped in myth and legend, rimmed by magnificent mountains and carpeted in green vegetation, it is the essence of the Icelandic Highlands, the ideal place to finish our time in this spectacular natural wilderness. We will depart Thorsmork at around 6 p.m., heading to a comfortable country hotel for a night of relative luxury, before we finish our adventure on Iceland’s majestic south coast. Please make sure that you notify the bus driver that you will be getting out at Hella.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch & refreshments. There are restaurants at Hella where you can get dinner.

Distance: 15 km (9.5 mi). Hiking Time: 6-7 hours. Descent: 300 m / 985'.

Day Highlights

• View of Myrdalsjokull Glacier
• Einhyrningur (The Unicorn) Mountain
• Thorsmork valley

Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Hotel accommodation
• Luggage transport

The final day of our journey will be spent exploring Iceland’s gorgeous south coast, starting with breakfast at your accommodation followed by a pick-up at your hotel.

Discover Skogafoss, a breathtaking 60-m (200-ft) high cascade. This impressive waterfall plunges over the ancient cliffs which once formed a part of the coastline.

Then, hike on the mighty Solheimajokull Glacier! The ice cap is often described as one of the bluest glaciers in Iceland. Together with a glacier guide, we go for an extensive glacier hike to show you the best of Solheimajokull. Be inspired by jagged ice ridges, deep crevasses, and moulins. You’ll be talking about this blue ice experience for a long time!

After the glacier hike, stop at the stunning Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. The great gusher is famous for its footpath that runs around the back of the tumbling cascade. Take a walk around Seljalandsfoss and see nature from an entirely new perspective!

In the evening, we will return to Reykjavik, where we will drop you off at your accommodation or a nearby location.

Meals included: breakfast. We will stop at shops & restaurants where you can purchase meals.

Day Highlights

• Skogafoss Waterfall
• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
• Solheimajokull Glacier
• Hike on Sólheimajökull Glacier

Included

• Breakfast
• Guided minibus tour
• Guided glacier hike
• All the necessary safety equipment
• Drop-off in Reykjavík

Pick up

Meeting points and times in Reykjavik:
Between 7:00 - 7:30 a.m.:

- Reykjavik's City Hall (Ráðhúsið) on Vonarstræti
- Hallgrímskirkja Church
- Reykjavik Campsite

Meeting points outside of Reykjavik:

8:15 a.m. - Selfoss N1 gas station
9:00 a.m. - Hella Bus Terminal

*Note that it can take up to 30 minutes before the bus departs the given locations.

Drop off

After the south coast and glacier hike tour on day 5, you will be dropped off at your accommodation in Reykjavik at around 7- 8 p.m.