Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls Trail Self-Guided Camping – 6-Day

Pick up in Reykjavík and transfer to Landmannalaugar

At the agreed time, the bus will pick you up at the meeting point of your choice in Reykjavík and take you to the interior of Iceland. During a 3-hour drive, you will cross remote and volcanic landscapes until you reach the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, where the adventure begins in Landmannalaugar.

Stopover in Hella

At 8:45 a.m., the vehicle will make a brief stop in Hella. If you start your route from here, be sure to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early at the Bus Stop - Olís Petrol/Gas Station. This is a good opportunity to buy some food or drink before heading into the Highlands.

Arrival at Landmannalaugar

Around 10:00 a.m. you will arrive at Landmannalaugar camp, the starting point of the Laugavegur Trek and other spectacular routes in the heart of Fjallabak.

You will sleep in campsites located next to shelters with toilets and showers (not included in the price, approx. 1,000 ISK per shower). After check-in, it's time to set up your tent. If you booked the camping equipment extra, you will receive a light tent, insulating mattress and sleeping bag. In addition, local staff will be available to help you set up if needed.

Bringing your own equipment? Make sure it is suitable for the Icelandic climate:

• 3-season tent
• Sleeping bag with minimum comfort of 2 °C
• Insulated mattress (R-value greater than 3)

Trekking in Landmannalaugar

With the camp set up, it's time to hike! You will hike an 6,8 miles (11 km) circular route (4-5 hours) starting and ending at the camp. You'll go at your own pace, exploring the unique landscapes of rhyolite mountains, black lava fields and natural hot springs.

🩱 Howlanders Tip: Pack your swimsuit in your backpack. On the way you will pass the famous Landmannalaugar hot springs and can take a relaxing bath surrounded by volcanic nature.

Return to Landmannalaugar camp

After the hike, you will return to the camp for dinner and rest under the clear Icelandic sky.

Please note that there are no supermarkets or restaurants on this route, so bring all the food you need from the start. If you prefer not to worry about that, you can book the extra Food and Cooking Pack, which includes three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and everything you need for cooking: stove, gas bottle and saucepan.

🍽️ Enjoy your dinner with a view. 🌅 In July, the sun hardly sets, and in August you will still have light until around 10:30 pm.

Breakfast at the camp and start of the day.

Second day of the route, and one of the longest and most impressive! After breakfast at Landmannalaugar camp, it's time to prepare everything for the day's trek. If you booked the Camping Equipment extra, remember to return your tent and gear to the staff before you start hiking.

👉 Don't want to carry everything during the trek? You can add the extra of luggage transfer between camps. You will receive a 90 L duffle bag to carry your gear (max. 1 bag per person, 44.09 lb.).

💙 Howlanders tip:

Carry in your backpack only the essentials for the day's stage. The rest of your stuff (urban clothes, souvenirs...) you can leave them in a locker at the BSI station or in a locker in Reykjavík.

Laugahraun - Stórihver

Start the hike by crossing the surreal Laugahraun lava field and continue ascending to the geothermal area of Stórihver. If the day is clear, the views from here will leave you speechless: glaciers in the distance, open valleys and multicolored mountains.

🗺️ This will be the longest day of the trek, so we recommend an early start to enjoy the trail at your leisure. If you need support in organizing your day, the camp team will be happy to help you.

Hrafntinnusker

The route continues to gain altitude until you reach Hrafntinnusker, an area known for its black obsidian formations. You will pass by the Höskuldsskáli hut, although there is no camping here. Even in the middle of summer, it is common to find snow or ice, which creates a unique atmosphere, almost from another planet.

Jökultungur

Start the descent to the spectacular valley of Jökultungur, where the landscape changes completely: from black volcanic to green vegetation, with springs, wildflowers and colorful mountains.

This is one of the most beautiful stretches of the day, so take your time to enjoy the surroundings. The geothermal energy of the area can still be felt under your feet.

Álftavatn

After an intense day, you will arrive at Álftavatn camp, a quiet place on the shores of the famous Swan Lake, surrounded by mountains and wilderness.

Here you will pitch your tent next to the shelter, with basic services available. If you booked luggage or camping equipment transfer, the staff will deliver your gear upon arrival.

🌅 At sunset, the reflection of the mountains in the lake will give you one of the most magical moments of the entire route.

Breakfast with a view in Álftavatn

Wake up to the calm of Lake Álftavatn and the sound of the wind in the mountains. An early breakfast surrounded by nature, perfect to recharge your batteries before getting back on the road.

Crossing the Brattháls River

The route begins with a gentle stretch to the Brattháls River, where you will have to cross the Kaldaklofskvísl. The landscape opens up in a spectacular valley, ideal to pause and take out the camera: rivers, mountains and infinite sky.

Hattafell and Mælifellssandur

After the crossing, you will enter one of the most breathtaking sceneries of the trek: the black desert of Mælifellssandur. Volcanic sand as far as the eye can see, with Hattafell mountain standing alone in the middle of nowhere.

Markarfljót Gorge

Before reaching Emstrur, you will border the Markarfljót river gorge, a deep canyon that surprises by its dimensions and views. Mountains silhouetted against the horizon and the murmur of the river below create a magical atmosphere.

Emstrur (Botnar)

You will end the day at Emstrur camp, a barren but impressive environment, with incredible panoramic views of the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. Here you will sleep next to the refuge, in the middle of the Icelandic wilderness.

💙 Howlanders tip: If the sky is clear, go out for a while before bedtime and enjoy the sunset over the glaciers.

Breakfast at Emstrur Camp

Your last full day of trekking begins with an early breakfast among mountains and glaciers. After picking up your tent, you will head for the spectacular Thórsmörk valley, a stage with increasingly green and varied landscapes.

Crossing the Fremri-Emstruá River

Along the route you will cross several areas of tundra and small streams, until you reach the Fremri-Emstruá River, one of the most exciting points of the day. Its flow varies according to the season, so it is important to cross it carefully. Look for the best crossing point and take your time: the views are worth it.

Alder Forest

After days of walking through open terrain and volcanic landscapes, the environment changes completely as you enter an alder forest. This cooler, shaded section will gradually lead you into the heart of Thórsmörk, showing you a new side of southern Iceland.

Thórsmörk Valley

Your arrival in the Thórsmörk Valley will be an unforgettable moment. Surrounded by glaciers, braided rivers and vegetation-covered mountains, it is a visual and emotional reward after several days of adventure.

Night in Thórsmörk

You will sleep in one of the campsites located in the valley, next to the shelters of Langidalur, Húsadalur or Básar, according to availability. All are surrounded by nature and have basic services to spend the night comfortably.

📍 Once you confirm your reservation, you will receive all the details about the itinerary and the exact location of your camp.

💙 Howlanders tip: If you still have energy left, explore one of the short trails near the lodge. The sunset views at Thórsmörk are a real treat.

Breakfast at Thórsmörk Campsite

Your fifth morning begins in Thórsmörk. Before tackling the most demanding and dramatic stage of your journey through the Highlands, you’ll fuel up with breakfast surrounded by towering mountains, ancient glaciers, and untouched wilderness. After packing up your tent, prepare yourself for a truly epic day—today, you’ll dive into the legendary Fimmvörðuháls trail, a classic Icelandic route beloved by hikers from around the world.

Crossing the Krossá River

The adventure kicks off from the Langidalur hut, with the trail winding through rugged terrain for a few kilometers until you reach a hiking bridge over the powerful Krossá River. Once you cross to the south bank, you’ll enter Goðaland—a hidden gem where serene willow and birch forests line the dramatic Strákagil canyon. This enchanting landscape feels like something out of a fairytale, offering a peaceful start before the ascent truly begins.

Kattarhryggir Ridge

Next, the trail climbs into Kattarhryggir—also known as “The Cat’s Spine”—a narrow, windswept ridge that demands your full attention. This stretch can be a bit nerve-wracking for those with a fear of heights, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. As you make your way across, you’re rewarded with a jaw-dropping natural balcony offering panoramic views that stretch for miles across Iceland’s wild interior. It’s one of those moments you’ll never forget.

Morinsheiði Plateau

As the trail leads you east across the Morinsheiði Plateau, the landscape opens up even more dramatically. From this high vantage point, you’ll get your first sweeping views of the massive Mýrdalsjökull glacier. At its summit looms Katla, one of Iceland’s most infamous volcanoes, silently brooding beneath a thick cap of ice. The contrast between frozen glacier and raw volcanic terrain is both surreal and unforgettable—a true highlight of the hike.

Magni and Móði

Continuing the route, we cross Heljarkambur, a small ridge with a chain pass to facilitate the crossing. Then, we will cross Brattafönn hill before reaching Goðahraun, a perfect place to observe the volcanic cones formed by the eruptions of 2010, which paralyzed air traffic in Europe.

From here, the only thing left to do is to retrace our steps and return to Langidalur.

Breakfast at Thórsmörk Campground

Your last morning in the heart of the highlands begins with breakfast surrounded by mountains, glaciers and pure nature. After picking up your tent, get ready for a special day: today you will explore in depth the land of the gods, the legendary valley of Þórsmörk.

Circular route in Þórsmörk

You will follow a 5,9 miles (9 km) circular route, starting and ending at the camp. Along the way you will enjoy unique views of the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers, birch forests and impressive volcanic formations. This section is ideal to close the trek with a flourish.

Return to Reykjavík

After the hike, a vehicle will pick you up at Þórsmörk camp at around 18:00 for the return trip to Reykjavík. The journey again crosses the wild landscapes of Iceland's interior.

End of the Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls trail

The route ends, but the experience stays with you. After several days of traveling through some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, you will return to the city with a backpack full of memories, amazing photos and a great story to tell.