Laugavegur Trail Self Guided
Self Guided Walking
Trek along the famous Laugavegur trail at a speed that you choose. Our self-guided version of this classic hike allows for you to have an adventure that few others experience on this same route. As you traverse from Landmannalaugar’s bubbling geothermal area to the lush, green Þórsmörk valley, you are setting the pace. Trek fast, if it suits you, or slow down and really enjoy the magnificent nature around you. Either way, you will encounter yellow rhyolite mountains, black sand deserts, great canyons, volcanoes and more. See for yourself why National Geographic has named this classic trail one of the best in the world.
Highlights:
♦ The Colorful Mountains of Landmannalaugar
♦ Contrasts of Black Sand and Green Moss
♦ Lush Green Valley of Þórsmörk
Itinerary:
Day 1. Reykjavík - Landmannalaugar - Hrafntinnusker
You will take the public scheduled bus that drives the mountain tracks that lead to Landmannalaugar, passing by the Hekla volcano and other volcanoes in the Dómadalur area. The bus leaves at 08:00 from Reykjavík. Arriving in Landmannalaugar at noon, it is ideal to have lunch and then head south into the mountains. The trail takes you past small gorges, steaming hot springs and yellow mountain ridges. Arrival at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut in the late afternoon, were you will stay the night.
Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi); Walking time: 4 - 5 hrs; Ascent: 470 m (1540 ft)
Day 2. Hrafntinnusker - Álftavatn
From Hrafntinnusker you descend down into the gullies of Jökultungur with hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools. Up there you enjoy fascinating views southwards to the Álftavatn area (Swan Lake), and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. In the afternoon you arrive at Álftavatn hut where you stay the night.
Distance: 15-16 km (7.5 mi); Walking time: 5 hrs; Descent: 490 m (1610 ft)
Day 3. Álftavatn - Emstur
You pass the foot of the green conic volcano Stórasúla before entering the black deserts of Mælifellssandur. Heading towards another ancient and verdurous volcano, the Hattfell, you enter the Emstrur region where farmers used to graze their sheep in summer. Before arriving at the Botnar hut where you stay the night, you can visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon, cut almost 200 m down into the rocks south of Hattfell.
Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi); Walking time: 6 hrs; Descent: 100 m (328 ft)
Day 4. Emstur-Þórsmörk
Continue up and down through the small valleys and gullies of Emstrur, where the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier rises only a couple of kilometers away. At the end of the day the vegetation starts to grow thicker and higher as you descend into Þórsmörk's green valleys (the woods of Thor), filled with arctic birch forests and colorful flowers. Accommodation in one of the huts in Þórsmörk.
Distance: 19 km (12 mi); Walking time: 6 - 7 hrs; Descent: 300 m (985 ft)
Day 5. Þórsmörk-Reykjavík
You spend the morning in Þórsmörk with a possibility of walking along one of its numerous paths. For example, visit the Sönghellir cave (“Song cave”) or climb the small mountain of Valahnúkur from where magnificent views can be enjoyed, before taking the afternoon bus back to Reykjavík. Arrival at Reykjavik Central bus Station at around 7:30 PM.
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Practical information:
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