Laugavegur Trail Tour – 4-Day Camping (short version)

Pick up in Reykjavik

The Laugavegur Trail Tour – 4-Day Camping (short version) starts with the pick up at our accommodation in Reykjavik from 6:30 in the morning. Once the whole group is gathered in the bus, we will set off for 4 hours observing volcanic landscapes, colorful mountains and glacial rivers until we reach Landmannalaugar.

Stop in Hella

At 8:45, the vehicle will make a brief stop in Hella. If you join us here, be sure to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early at the Bus Stop - Olís Petrol/Gas Station. You can also take advantage of this stop to buy food or drinks before heading into the Highlands.

Landamannalaugar

Around 10 am we will arrive at our first campsite in Landmannalaugar, the starting point of the Laugavegur Trek and other hiking trails in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve.

You will sleep in campsites near the huts, which have toilets and showers (use not included, 1,000 ISK per shower). Upon arrival, you will check in and set up your tent. If you added the Camping Equipment option, you will receive a compact tent, mattress and sleeping bag, with assistance to set up if needed.

If you prefer to bring your own equipment, make sure it meets the requirements:

• 3-season tent
• Sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of at least 2°C (36°F)
• Compact mattress with an R-value greater than 3

Lanmannalaugar Trekking

Once all the camp is set up, we can enjoy a short hike of 11 km. It's time to explore the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, with its colorful mountains, lava fields and hot springs. Take the opportunity to relax in the hot springs near the refuge.

After the hike and relaxing time, it's time for dinner and rest for the next day.

🩵 HOWLANDERS TIP

There are no supermarkets or restaurants during the trek, so we advise you to bring everything you need. But if you prefer, you can add the Pack food and cooking extra, which includes three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and all the necessary equipment for cooking: burner, gas canister and saucepan.

Laugahraun - Stórihver

The day begins! After breakfast and packing up camp it's time to start the longest day of hiking. This is a hike of about 8 to 9 hours, so we recommend you to plan your time well. The route starts by crossing the impressive Laugahraun lava field and ascending towards the geothermal area of Stórihver. From this point, you will be able to admire spectacular views of the valley and, weather permitting, the surrounding glaciers.

Hrafntinnusker

Arriving at Hrafntinnusker, the landscape is completely transformed, highlighting its black obsidian deposits. You will pass near the Höskuldsskáli refuge, although the route continues. In this area, snow and ice persist even in summer, giving rise to a unique and surreal scenery.

Jökultungur

We will then descend to the Jökultungur Valley, where we will observe colorful mountains and geothermal activity. We will see how the landscape changes from volcanic soils to streams, lakes and more vegetation.

Álftavatn

We will arrive at Álftavatn, which means Swan Lake, and here we will end our long day of hiking. Enjoy this well-deserved rest while watching the spectacular scenery provided by the sunset reflected on the lake.

Brattháls River

After sunrise by the lake and breakfast surrounded by mountains and meadows, it is time to continue the Laugavegur trek. The route continues to the Brattháls River, crossing the Kaldaklofskvísl. We recommend a short break to take some pictures of these spectacular views of the valley and mountains.

Mælifellssandur Desert

After crossing the river, we will cross the great black sand desert of Mælifellssandur. Along the way we will see Hattafell, a solitary mountain that stands out in the middle of the arid volcanic environment.

Markarfljót Gorge

Before arriving at camp, we will walk along the Markarfljót River gorge, a deep canyon that offers breathtaking views of mountains and valleys.

Emstrur

Our day will end at the campsite near Emstrur Hut, in a barren environment but with spectacular views of the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. It is time to have dinner and rest to face the last stage of the trek.

Emstrur

After having our last breakfast and packing up camp, we will start our last day of trekking. We will begin our descent into the valley, crossing small streams and tundra landscapes. Here, the transition from the arid black sand desert to greener areas is evident, offering a spectacular contrast.

Fremri-Emstruá River

One of the most exciting moments of this stage is the crossing of the Fremri-Emstruá River. Its flow varies according to the time of year, so it is essential to advance with caution to overcome this challenge safely.

Thórsmörk Valley

As we approach our destination, the vegetation becomes more abundant, and we enter a beautiful alder (Alnus) forest. This environment, more lush and shady, contrasts with the open landscapes of the previous days, giving us a new perspective of the trek.

Later, the valley of Thórsmörk welcomes us with its lush vegetation, surrounded by mountains covered with green, towering glaciers and meandering rivers. Undoubtedly, one of the most spectacular places of the entire journey.

Upon arrival at Thórsmörk, our transport will pick us up at the camp to take us back to Reykjavík, marking the end of an unforgettable adventure of this 4-day Laugavegur Tail Tour.