Laugavegur Highland Walking Trail
Laugavegur Highland Walking Trail
from £1,945 excluding flights
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Highlights
Stride out in spectacular scenery
Experience the wild beauty of the Highlands
Discover the legendary Thorsmork valley
Marvel at the colourful rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar
Why this trip...
Expertly guided
In-depth knowledge and expertise will enrich your experience on this trip
Like-minded travellers
Share your travel experiences with fellow travellers
Off-the-beaten-track
This holiday showcases places and experiences away from the usual tourist routes
Overview
Lace up your boots for one of the world’s classic long-distance hikes. This five-day, small-group guided trek tackles the incredible Laugavegur trail – a 55km journey from the hot springs of Landmannalaugar to the verdant glacial valley of Thorsmork, passing colourful mountain slopes, glaciers, lakes and rivers along the way.
What makes this trek so special?
A small-group walking holiday, striding out with like-minded travellers on a world-class hike in the company of an expert guide... our Laugavegur Highland Trek provides an amazing opportunity to explore the rugged Highlands of the interior. As well as enjoying stupendous views, you will gain a fascinating insight into local culture and geology. For keen photographers, it’s a must.
Putting the Laugavegur on the map
Linking Landmannalaugar with the 'hidden' valley of Thorsmork, the 55km Laugavegur is one of the most popular walking trails in Iceland. Part of Fjallabak Nature Reserve, the rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar are richly coloured with yellows, reds and greys. Black lava flows and sapphire-blue lakes add extra splashes to the surreal palette of this otherworldly place where hot springs and freshwater streams have created some fabulous geothermal bathing pools. At the southern end of the Laugavegur trail, Thorsmork is a verdant realm of wooded valleys and dramatic ridges, surrounded on three sides by glaciers.
On the trail
On this four day trek you will experience all kinds of terrain, from good paths and green valley pastures to rocky scree, volcanic sand and windswept ridges. You might encounter the odd patch of snow and there will also be river crossings. Each day’s walk lasts from 4-7 hours, with no more than 600m of ascent on any day. The trail is suitable for any regular walker with a reasonable level of fitness. Your food and equipment will be transferred by support vehicle, allowing you to walk with just a lightweight daysack. Nights are spent in simple but cosy mountain huts where group participation will be needed for cooking etc.
Private departures
Contact us if you would be interested in a private departure on any date suitable for you. This itinerary can be tailor made to fit your requirements and group size.
Itinerary
Day 1 arrive in Iceland
Fly to Keflavik International Airport on the volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula and transfer by bus to your hotel in Iceland's capital city, Reykjavik for an overnight stay.
Fly to Keflavik International Airport on the volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula and transfer by bus to your hotel in Iceland's capital city, Reykjavik for an overnight stay.
Day 2 Reykjavik - Landmannalaugar and hike to Hrafntinnusker
Take an early morning bus to Landmannalaugar, passing Hekla and other volcanoes in the Domadalur area. After lunch, set off on the trail, heading south into the mountains past gorges, hot springs and colourful mountain ridges. Overnight at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut.
Hiking information: Distance: 12km | Walking time: 4-5hrs | Ascent: 470m
Take an early morning bus to Landmannalaugar, passing Hekla and other volcanoes in the Domadalur area. After lunch, set off on the trail, heading south into the mountains past gorges, hot springs and colourful mountain ridges. Overnight at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut.
Hiking information: Distance: 12km | Walking time: 4-5hrs | Ascent: 470m
Day 3 Hrafntinnusker - Alftavatn (hiking)
Walk through the gullies of Jokultungur with their steaming hot springs and bubbling mud pools. There are wonderful views south towards Swan Lake and the Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull glaciers. Overnight at Álftavatn hut.
Hiking information: 12km | Walking time: 4-5 hrs | Descent: 490m
Walk through the gullies of Jokultungur with their steaming hot springs and bubbling mud pools. There are wonderful views south towards Swan Lake and the Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull glaciers. Overnight at Álftavatn hut.
Hiking information: 12km | Walking time: 4-5 hrs | Descent: 490m
Day 4 Alftavatn - Emstrur (hiking)
A day of striking contrasts, the trail weaves among green, moss-clad mountains rising from the black desert of Maelifellssandur. The trail then leads towards another ancient volcano, Hattfell, and the Emstrur region – once used as a summer sheep pasture. Venture into the Markarfljot canyon, before heading to Botnar hut for the night.
Hiking information: 16km | Walking time: 6-7hrs | Descent: 40m
A day of striking contrasts, the trail weaves among green, moss-clad mountains rising from the black desert of Maelifellssandur. The trail then leads towards another ancient volcano, Hattfell, and the Emstrur region – once used as a summer sheep pasture. Venture into the Markarfljot canyon, before heading to Botnar hut for the night.
Hiking information: 16km | Walking time: 6-7hrs | Descent: 40m
Day 5 Emstrur - Thorsmork (hiking)
Continue weaving through the small valleys of Emstrur, close to the Myrdalsjokull icecap. Towards the end of the day, the vegetation starts to become denser as you descend into Thorsmork (Woods of Thor) with its valleys filled with birch woodland and flowers. Overnight at Thorsmork.
Hiking information: 17km | Walking time: 6-7hrs | Descent: 300m
Continue weaving through the small valleys of Emstrur, close to the Myrdalsjokull icecap. Towards the end of the day, the vegetation starts to become denser as you descend into Thorsmork (Woods of Thor) with its valleys filled with birch woodland and flowers. Overnight at Thorsmork.
Hiking information: 17km | Walking time: 6-7hrs | Descent: 300m
Prices and Departures
Price from £1,945 excluding flights
Airfares vary widely and are quoted separately to the holiday price, starting from around £250pp return with Icelandair and British Airways, though may be lower with Play, EasyJet or Wizz Air. We'll provide the best fare available at the time of enquiry, which tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.
UK Airports with flights direct to Iceland are Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We can also arrange flights from non-UK destinations. Discover more »
What's Included
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom in Reykjavik
- Accommodation in mountain huts with shared facilities for 4 nights
- All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
- Airport transfers between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik hotel
- Bus transportation as per itinerary
- Jeep transfer for food and equipment between campsites
- Sleeping bag & cooking gear
- Services of guide
- 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
- No surcharge guarantee
- Full financial protection
From prices per person
Based on rooms with private facilities (in Reykjavik) and huts with shared facilities
| Departure | Duration | Twin price | Single Price | Status of Tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Jun 2023 | 6 nights | £1,945 | £2,099 | Fully booked |
| 25 Jun 2023 | 6 nights | £1,945 | £2,099 | Fully booked |
| 2 Jul 2023 | 6 nights | £1,945 | £2,099 | Fully booked |
| 9 Jul 2023 | 6 nights | £1,945 | £2,099 | Fully booked |
| 16 Jul 2023 | 6 nights | £1,945 | £2,099 | Fully booked |
| 23 Jul 2023 | 6 nights | £1,945 | £2,099 | Fully booked |
| 30 Jul 2023 | 6 nights | £1,945 | £2,099 | Fully booked |
| 6 Aug 2023 | 6 nights | £1,945 | £2,099 | Fully booked |
| 13 Aug 2023 | 6 nights | £1,945 | £2,099 | Fully booked |
| 20 Aug 2023 | 6 nights | £1,945 | £2,099 | Fully booked |
| 27 Aug 2023 | 6 nights | £1,945 | £2,099 | Fully booked |
| 3 Sep 2023 | 6 nights | £1,945 | £2,099 | Fully booked |
| 7 Sep 2023 | 6 nights | £1,945 | £2,099 | Fully booked |
Dietary requirements
Specific dietary requirements can be catered for from £45 per person for the length of the tour and must be pre booked.Group Size
This escorted group requires a minimum of 6 participants in order to operate, and will have a maximum of 16. Note: on occasion tours may operate with less than the minimum number of participants specified above (or exceed the maximum number indicated) – please refer to our booking conditions for more detailsMeet our expert
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