Laugavegur Trek Classic (Huts)
Iceland’s most famous trek from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk lives up to the hype.
Tour code: IMG31
Experience the Classic Laugavegur Trek
The rumors are true! Trekking in the southern highlands, from the geothermal hot spots in Landmannalaugar to the lush green landscape in Þórsmörk valley, is even more beautiful in person. Your highly experienced and knowledge trekking guide will take you in between vibrant yellow rhyolite mountains, over black sand deserts and past majestic canyons during this adventure. The magical and diverse landscape, combined with the long and bright Icelandic summer days, will capture your nature loving heart. Your guide will show you all the popular sites and hidden gems along this trail and tell you stories and folklore. In the evenings, you will relax and rejuvenate in cozy mountain huts and enjoy delicious Icelandic meals. We top off this amazing adventure with a celebratory BBQ on the last night in Þórsmörk. It is not a coincidence that this trail was named as one of the 20 best treks in the world by National Geographic.
See Laugavegur Trek (Landmannalaugar - Þórsmork) tour video.
If 5 days is not enough, add the Fimmvörðuháls pass to your itinerary and go for the 6 day Combo Trek.
If the departure you want is closed you can try to send us an email to incoming@mountainguides.is and we can see if we can fit you in.
Tour Overview
- Meeting Point
- BSI Bus terminal at 6:30
- Group Size
- 6 - 16 participants
- Language
- English
- Accommodation
- Mountain hut
- Transport
- Public bus
- Walking per day
- 4 - 7 hrs
- Total Distance
- 59 km (37 mi)
- Max. Ascent
- 600 m (1900 ft)
- Minimum age
- 16 years
- Duration
- 5 days
- Difficulty
- Challenging. Requires good strength and experience in hiking with a backpack 6-7 hrs a day in mountainous terrain.
Customer Reviews
This adventure was surreal, and I mean it in the best way possible. The guide, Yón, was simply the best: he is very knowledgeable and shared precious bits of knowledge about Icelandic geography, geology, culture, and language. On top of that, the Laugavegur trail itself is otherworldly, one must see it with their own eyes to truly understand what I mean. And the icing on the cake was that the group we formed for this trek was lovely, one could not have asked for a better company to share this memorable experience. I cannot recommend this enough!
Tour Highlights
Included
- Experienced and qualified guide
- Mountain hut sleeping bag accommodation in dormitories
- Transport at the beginning and end of trek
- Breakfast (4), Lunch (5), Dinner (4)
- Transfer of luggage
Not included
- Sleeping bag
- Hiking poles
- Showers in huts (payable on site)
- Vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian meal plan
- Pick-up from hotel (the tour begins at BSÍ bus station at 6:30 AM)
Optional extras
- Sleeping bag
- Hiking poles
- Vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian meal plan
Tour Map and Itinerary
Click map for detailed itineraryLaugavegur Trek Classic (Huts)
Day 1
We take the public bus from BSI bus terminal at 07:00, that during the summer months drives the mountain tracks that lead to Landmannalaugar, passing by the Hekla volcano and other volcanoes in the Dómadalur area. Arriving in Landmannalaugar at noon, we have a lunch and then head south into the mountains. The trail takes us past small gorges, steaming hot springs and yellow mountain ridges. Arrival at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut, were we will stay the night, in the late afternoon.
Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Walking time: 4 - 5 hrs
Ascent: 470 m (1540 ft)
Day 2
From Hrafntinnusker we descend down in the gullies of Jökultungur with hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools. Up there we enjoy fascinating views to the south to the Álftavatn area (Swan Lake), and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. In the afternoon we arrive at Álftavatn hut where we stay the night.
Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi)
Walking time: 4 - 5 hrs
Descent: 490 m (1610 ft)
Day 3
We pass at the foot of the green conic volcano of Stórasúla before entering the black deserts of Mælifellssandur. Heading towards another ancient and verdurous volcano, the Hattfell, we enter the Emstrur region where farmers used to graze their sheep in summer. Before arriving at the Botnar hut where we stay the night, we visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon cut almost 200 m down into the rocks south of Hattfell.
Distance: 16 km (10 mi)
Walking time: 6 - 7 hrs
Descent: 40 m (130 ft)
Day 4
We continue up and down through the small valleys and gullies of Emstrur, where the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier rises only a couple of kilometers away. As our hike is coming to an end for the day, we descend into Þórsmörk’s (the woods of Thor) green valleys filled with arctic birch forests and colorful flowers. After arriving at the huts in Þórsmörk, we top off this amazing adventure with a barbecue!
Distance: 19 km (12 mi)
Walking time: 6 - 7 hrs
Descent: 300 m (985 ft)
Day 5
We spend the morning in Þórsmörk where we walk along one of numerous paths. For example, we can visit to the Sönghellir cave (Song cave), climb up the small mountain of Valahnúkur from where magnificent view can be enjoyed, before taking the afternoon bus to Reykjavík. Arrival at Reykjavik BSI bus terminal where the trip ends at 19:20.
Please note
- All of the huts are heated, some have electricity and some have hot water. They have bunk rooms with single and twin beds, participants have to be prepared to share a bunk with other travelers from the group.
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Practical Information
Can I charge my phone/camera in the hotels/huts?
We recommend bringing a power bank to charge your electronic devices. The huts do not have electricity. There is a slight chance the wardens will be able to charge for you for a fee of ISK 500.
Do the mountain huts have dormitory rooms/private rooms?
The mountain huts have no private rooms available, all rooms are dormitories.
Will the huts have running water?
There will be running cold water in all the huts. You will need to heat water to get hot water.
I am a vegetarian/vegan/gluten intolerant, will there be a food option for me, what is it?
Vegan meal plan can be ordered upon booking the tour for a small additional fee. We don't offer gluten free supplements so we advice participants to bring their own gluten free items if needed.
How are the toilet facilities?
Some huts have flushable toilets others have outhouses.
Do I need to bring my own cooking equipment?
No, the huts have a fully equipped kitchen.
What are your terms of payment when booking online?
You can find all our terms of payments for day or multi-day tours here.
Will we be able to shower on the trek?
You can shower in the huts that have showers available, some huts do not have any shower facilities. Where showers are available there is a small fee to use them.
The date I want to book is not available, can I still request to book?
If a date is not available, it is either fully booked or not offered on that date. Due to hut allocation, we may not be able to add additional spots, but you are welcome to contact us via email: incoming@mountainguides.is