8 day Laugavegur Trek - with the Golden Circle, South Coast & A Glacier Hike

The trip begins at 7 - 7:30 a.m., with pick-up from your selected location in Reykjavik. The scenic 3 - 4 hour drive to the Highlands takes us past some incredible attractions, including one of Iceland’s most active volcanos, Hekla. It has erupted every 10 - 15 years, making the surrounding volcanic landscape one of the most interesting places in Iceland.

We’ll be dropped at the Landmannalaugar base camp in the heart of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. We’ll start our Laugavegur journey by trekking through the Laugahraun lava field and Vondugil Canyon. Along the way, we’ll enjoy the sights of rhyolite mountains, like Brennisteinsalda, soaking in the vibrant colors. If we have time, we’ll also visit the Graenagil Gorge and Blahnukur Volcano.

Distance: 4.9 mi (8 km). Walking time: 4-5 hrs. Ascent: 1540 ft (470 m).

Day Highlights

• Scenic drive from Reykjavik
• Landmannalaugar
• Helka Stratovolcano
• Laugahraun Lava Field
• Brennisteinsalda Volcano

Included

• Accommodation: Landmannalaugar

We'll start day two with a filling breakfast. We’ll trek through the black volcanic oasis of Hrafntinnusker. We'll pass the colorful Reykjafjöll Mountains and the mesmerizing Jökultungur area, famed for the stunning contrasts of the mineral deposits against its sandy sloped mountains. From here, we’ll get a good look at the Fjallabak and Álftavatn Lake. 

Our next hut is perched right on the edge of the lake and surrounded by rolling green meadows, giving it a peaceful ambiance. We’ll cross a small stream to reach it. We’ll enjoy a traditional Icelandic meal together in the evening, explore the picturesque scenery around the hut, or relax.

Distance: 14.9 mi (24km). Walking time: 7 - 8 hrs. Ascent: 2952 ft (900 m).

Day Highlights

• Hrafntinnusker Desert
• Reykjafjöll Mountains
• Jökultungur Summit
• Álftavatn Lake
• Fjallabak Area

Included

• Accommodation: Áfltavatn

Today, a part of the trek consists of walking through Mælifellssandur, a mesmerizing black sand beach. The stunning sights of the Stórasúla and Hattafell volcanoes will dominate our view throughout the journey. Each is usually covered in verdant moss, making them stand out from the rest of the landscape.

As we approach Botnar, we’ll push deeper into the ominous volcanic desert, which offers truly magnificent views of Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. Nearing our hut in Emstrur, we’ll find ourselves in a beautiful green oasis contrasting with the seemingly never-ending expanse of black sand. It’s perched on the edge of a huge 656 ft (200m) deep river canyon, carved into the earth's surface by glacial meltwaters over the centuries.

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

Day Highlights

• Mælifellssandur desert
• Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull
• Volcano views
• Markarfljótsgljúfur Canyon

Included

• Accommodation: Emstrur

Today is the final part of the iconic Laugavegur Trek. It starts as we walk along the dramatic Almenningar Gorge, passing Mount Einhyrningur, ‘the Unicorn Mountain.’ From some angles, it actually does look like a unicorn!

We’ll soon make our way out of the desert and begin to see vegetation again, continuing until we reach the birch forest that marks our arrival at Thórsmörk. It's a remarkable place, which feels a bit like the Garden of Eden compared to the barren landscape of before. Our hut rests right in the valley, surrounded by Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. We’ll eat a mouthwatering dinner and celebrate the completion of the legendary Laugavegur Trek!

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

Day Highlights

• Mount Einhyrningur
• Views of Icelandic glaciers
• Thorsmork Valley

Included

• Hut Accommodation: Þórsmörk

Day five will take us on a challenging trek up the Fimmvörðuháls Pass, which is nestled between the Mýrdalajökull and Eyjafjallajökull, which erupted in 2010. Along the way, we’ll see the beauty of this ever-changing volcanic landscape, including Magni and Móði, a pair of craters created during the eruption. They’re named after the sons of Thor, Mighty, and Wrath.

Once we reach its summit, spectacular mountain ranges and vast glaciers appear in the distance, reaching far beyond our sightline. Our descent takes us back the same way, allowing us another glimpse of this epic landscape. Back at camp, we’ll relax and mark the end of the Fimmvorduhals trail.

Distance: 10 mi (16 km). Walking time: 7 - 8 hrs. Ascent: 2600 ft (800 m).

Day Highlights

• Fimmvörðuháls Pass
• Magni and Móði craters
• Lava formations
• Further Thorsmork exploration

Included

• Accommodation: Þórsmörk

Our final day in the Highlands is more flexible, allowing us to visit what you and the rest of the group want to see.

We might head to the volcanic landscapes around Katla and Eyjafjallajokull. Or, climb to the summit of Valahnukur Mountain for yet more incredible vistas over the Highlands. We could also explore Thorsmork in more detail or divide into smaller groups and do different things.

Then, it’s time to leave the Highlands and head to a cozy countryside hotel in Hella. Here, you can grab a warm shower and enjoy a night before our South Coast and glacier expedition on day 7!

Distance: 3.5 mi (6 km). Walking time: ~3 hrs. Ascent: 902 ft (275 m).

Day Highlights

• Katla, Eyjafjallajokull (optional)
• Mt Valahnukur (optional)
• Exploring Thorsmork (optional)

Included

• Accommodation in Hella

We’ll eat breakfast in the hotel and then leave for the South Coast in the morning.

Our first stop will be Seljalandsfoss, a remarkable 196 ft (60 m) waterfall, where you can walk behind the roaring cascade. Our final morning stop will be Skogafoss, where you can climb stairs for a stunning view over the steep waterfall and surrounding area.

The final adventure of the day will take place on the surface of a glacier as we strap on our crampons and prepare for a glacier hike. Expect to see a maze of deep crevasses, moulins that bore into the glacier's heart, and some stunning frozen icefalls.

An expert local guide will explain how glaciers have shaped Iceland and give us a glimpse into its uncertain future. We’ll then return to Reykjavik and spend the night in a charming hotel.

Day Highlights

• South Coast
• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
• Skogafoss Waterfalls
• Solheimajokull Glacier
• Glacier hiking

Included

• Accommodation in Reykjavik

The last day of our epic adventure will take us to the Golden Circle. Our small group minibus tour will start at 8 a.m. when we collect you from the hotel in Reykjavik.

The first stop will be Thingvellir National Park. It holds a special place in all Icelanders' hearts due to its historical and geological significance. It straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, hosting a rugged valley where you can see the gap between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

The next stop will be the Geysir Geothermal Area, a place of intense geothermal activity where plumes of steam rise from hot springs and geysers erupt regularly. The most famous of these is Strokkur, which tosses boiling torrents of water up to 131 ft (40 m) into the air every 5 minutes or so.

Our Golden Circle adventure ends at Gullfoss (the golden waterfall), which crashes more than 105 ft (32 m) into a dramatic canyon below. The World of Waterfalls rated it one of the best waterfalls in the world, and it is breathtakingly beautiful. On sunny days, rainbows form above its golden cascade.

We’ll finish the adventure with a relaxing soak in a natural hot spring called the Secret Lagoon. It’s located in a lava field and is the perfect way to finish our 8-day tour. You’ll return to Reykjavik with memories that you can share with others!

Day Highlights

• Golden Circle
• Thingvellir National Park
• Gullfoss Waterfall
• Geysir Geothermal Area
• Secret Lagoon Natural Pool

Included

• Breakfast
• Secret Lagoon entry

Pick-up times and places in Reykjavik:

Between 7:00 - 7:30 AM

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

Pick-up times and places outside Reykjavik:

• 8:15 AM from Selfoss N1 Gas Station
• 9:00 AM from Hella Bus Stop

Prepare for your trip through the highlands of Iceland with our guide:

Laugavegur Trek Handbook