Covid measures in Iceland

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures on Laugavegur Trail, Iceland, please visit the official Government of Iceland and Official Information about Covid in Iceland websites. Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local, English-speaking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 5 or 6 days of guided hiking along the Laugavegur Trail depending on your chosen itinerary Mountain hut sleeping bag accommodation in dormitories Kitchen and all needed cooking equipment for your own food Transport at the beginning and end of trek All meals during the hike Transfer of luggage Special dietary supplements, such as vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten free or other supplements, can be ordered at some extra cost. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know prior to booking to make arrangements. All of the mountain 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. What’s not included: Showers in huts (payable on-site) Transportation to and from Iceland Optional extras: Sleeping bag Accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the tour

How fit do I need to be?

For the Laugavegur Trail, you need to be able to hike for full days, carrying a daypack full of your gear. Each day you will hike between four and seven hours. On top of that, volcanic terrain can be challenging and the weather unforgiving. That said, if you are looking for adventure and up to the task of multiple days of full-day trekking, you’ll be rewarded immensely. The 6-day itinerary has extremely steep drop offs along the hiking trail and scrambling with the use of a chain is required both up and down. Not for those with a fear of heights. Overall, the Laugavegur Trail is a challenging trek.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: A duffel bag for the transport of your overnight gear between mountain huts Day backpack for extra clothes and lunch pack during the day (around a 25-40L bag) Your own sleeping bag – a basic sleeping bag with no specific temperature rating is sufficient for this entire trek since all the mountain huts are heated Small thermal mat to sit on — optional Hiking poles — optional Gaiters — optional but recommended for departures in June and early July Gloves – wool or synthetic 2 pairs of different thickness Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – wool or synthetic T-shirt (thermal underwear) – wool or synthetic Light wool or fleece sweater (2nd layer) Warm, down jacket Puffy jacket e.g. Primaloft — optional Jacket with a good hood – windproof, waterproof and breathable, e.g. Gore-Tex or comparable Soft-shell trousers – strong and light material that dries quickly Rain pants – windproof, waterproof and breathable — full raingear is mandatory in Iceland, poncho is not useful because of wind Socks – wool or synthetic Change of clothes for wearing in the hut Sunhat Wool hat Sturdy hiking boots – waterproof with good ankle support River crossing shoes – walking sandals or old running shoes with a good grip are a good choice, along with a pair of warm socks or neoprene socks Comfortable shoes for the camp Quick dry towel – lightweight and packable Swimwear if you want to bathe in the hot geothermal pool in Landmannalaugar Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Lunch box Pocket knife Aperitif or other heart-warming spirits – liquor laws in Iceland prohibit the sale of alcohol, so having a thermos flask to share with your fellow travelers in front of the campfire can be the crowning of a good day — optional Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Earplugs Portable power bank Dry-bags for electronics and extra clothing — optional Camera — optional (but recommended) Dress comfortably and for the weather in warm clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. Iceland is home to infamously unpredictable weather, so you need to be prepared with the right gear.

Group sizes and age requirements

You will be joining a group that usually consists of 6-16 people going on a hiking tour of the Laugavegur Trail. Pricing is per person. The group gets confirmed at the moment that at least the minimum people (6 people) pays the 30% deposit of the final price. At that time, the group will be informed that the trip has been confirmed, and therefore that they can start booking their flights to Iceland. If you are an individual traveler, you are more than welcome to join the group. The guide will be adding travelers until the minimum group size to confirm the trip can be guaranteed. There are no supplements to individual travelers, as they will share a room. Min. age requirements: Anyone over the age of 18 can join these day-hiking tours Teens as young as 14 can join on a case-by-case basis. If you plan to hike with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies, and deposits are no longer refundable. The remaining 70% of the amount is paid the latest 3 months (90 days) prior the departure. In the event that the minimum number of people to confirm the trip is not reached, Icelandic Mountain Guides can cancel the departure. Please note the trips for 2022 are expected to reach the minimum number of people soon, and the likelihood of trip not happening is very low.

All cancellations must be made by letter or e-mail. In conformity with business practices within the Icelandic travel industry, your guide is obliged to charge cancellation fees to passenger(s) as follows: – 15% of the tour price is non-refundable – 50% of tour price is refunded if cancelled 30-59 days prior to departure – 25% of tour price is refunded if cancelled 16-29 days prior to departure – 0% of tour price is refunded if cancelled 15 days prior to departure. All rates are based on current purchasing prices in Iceland. IMG reserves the right to change prices without notice due to inflation, changes in oil prices, government taxes, or any other cost increases that are outside the guide’s control. IMG will absorb an amount equivalent to 5% of the price. Amounts that exceed the 5% will be charged and clients will be entitled to cancel their booking with a full refund if the surcharge exceeds 10%. Eventual changes in rates will not be made with less than 4 weeks’ notice before departures or on bookings already made and confirmed. IMG reserve the right to alter tours and itineraries due to weather or road conditions. All programs can be changed or cancelled at any moment during the trip to assure the safety of the clients and staff of IMG . No responsibility is accepted for losses, expenses due to delays, changes of flights, or other services or because of strikes, accidents, sickness, damage, negligence, weather, war, changes in schedules, or other similar causes.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to the Laugavegur Trail, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF) — about three and a half hours away from the trailhead. From there, you will join your guides that will transport you to the trailhead. The meeting location is BSI Bus terminal . After joining your guides, a scenic 3.5-hour drive is the only thing separating you from your hiking adventure!

Hiking Iceland’s Famous Laugavegur Trail

Hike Iceland’s Famous Laugavegur Trail

Set out on a hiking journey through the Southern Highlands of Iceland and witness the enchanting landscapes and vibrant colors along the iconic Laugavegur Trail. Black volcanic rock, spouting thermal vents, lakes and rolling hills make it one of the most incredible thru-hikes in the world.

The magical and diverse landscape, combined with the long and bright Icelandic summer days, will capture any outdoor enthusiast’s attention. As you hike through this 56 km (35 miles) long trail, past dramatic and colorful panoramas formed by millennia of glaciers and volcanoes, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a completely different world.

You can enjoy camping in Laugavegur, either on the public or park areas.

The Laugavegur hike is filled with jaw-dropping vistas to remember for a lifetime.

The guides for the Laugavegur trail showing the trail ahead.

Why Laugavegur Trail?

Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, on the Southern part of the remote island located between Greenland and Norway, the Laugavegur Trail takes you on a multi-day hut-based hike from Landmannalaugar to Thórsmörk—a valley of mythic proportions fit for the gods.

Lying on the constantly active geologic border between North America and Europe, Iceland is a land of unusual variety and contrasts. Laugavegur Trail captures the best of its geology—from vibrant green moss and jet black sand deserts, snow and steamy springs, pink flowers emerging from the seemingly barren land, to turquoise lakes and lava fields.

EPIC FOOTPATHS
UNIQUE GEOLOGY
MOUNTAIN HUTS
63°52′ N AND 19°14′ E
A TRUE ADVENTURE

The Laugavegur hiking trail is as breathtaking as it is difficult.

The location of the Laugavegur trail on the full map of Central and North Europe.

The Laugavegur trail on a zoomed map of Iceland.

Iconic trail in the land of fire and ice

35 MILES OF UNIQUE NATURAL BEAUTY

In Iceland, the cliche is true: If you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes—you can expect to experience four seasons in a single day. Same can be said for Iceland’s otherworldly and diverse landscapes on the Laugavegur Trail.

As you move through the valleys and across glaciers and deserts, you’ll understand why it was dubbed “the Land of Ice and Fire”— the vistas of brightly-colored misty mountains and the contrasting everchanging surroundings won’t leave anyone indifferent.

The rainbow-hued hills of Landmannalaugar won’t leave anyone disappointed, that’s for sure.

The river crossing on the Laugavegur trail.

LANDSCAPES FOR EVERY TASTE

Following an ancient pathway across petrified lava, azure lagoons and ashen fields, you’ll explore all the crowd favorites, like Álftavatn lake and mythical valleys of mythic proportions.

The Laugavegur Trail takes you on a colorful journey as you encounter red, gold, and green hues dappled with the whitest snow, black sand glistening with shards of obsidian, sparkly waterfalls, and turquoise lakes.

Laugavegur trail will even take you across a petrified lava field.

One of the numerous huts on the Laugavegur trail.

Domadalur Valley is the scenic introduction to the Laugavegur Trail.

Maelifell is a volcano that contrasts the black sands surrounding it.

Hrafntinnusker Hut is a welcome place of respite amidst the stunning yellow mountain ridges.

Alftavatn area is a gorgeous area filled with lakes and glaciers.

Emstrur houses the magnificent Markarfljot canyon, one of the most impressive sights in Iceland.

Porsmork is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Iceland, and for a good reason.

Songhellir Cave is renowned for its acoustics.

Dómadalur

Enjoy a scenic drive along the mountain tracks that lead to Landmannalaugar, passing by the Hekla volcano and the Domadalur valley boasting a shallow lake and a sandy obsidian lava field.

MÆLIFELLSSANDUR

As you pass the foot of the green conic volcano of Stórasúla, prepare for unbelievable sights of the black deserts of Mælifellssandur, located close to the southern Fjallabak road. Dominating the horizon to the south is Mýrdalsjökull glacier, the home of the staggering and much feared volcano Katla.

HRAFNTINNUSKER

Walk past steaming hot springs, small gorges, and stunning yellow mountain ridges contrasting the blue skies. You’ll hike for about 4 hours before reaching the Hrafntinnusker mountain hut.

ÁLFTAVATN

Descend down to the gullies of Jökultungur and witness the beauty of hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools. Soak up the fresh air and fascinating views of the Álftavatn area, the Swan Lake, and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers.

EMSTRUR

Prepare for unbelievable sights of the verdant volcano Hattfell, and stop at the magnificent Markarfljót canyon, one of the most impressive and stunning canyons in Iceland not visited by many.

ÞÓRSMÖRK

After several hours of hiking through lush green valleys, descend into Þórsmörk’s, one of the country’s most popular hiking destinations and a favourite location for photographers and nature lovers alike. Parts of the area are rich with moss, fern, and birchwood, while jagged ridges and ice-capped peaks crown the horizon.

SÖNGHELLIR

Visit the Sönghellir cave (Song Cave) near the old fishing village Arnarstapi and famed for its acoustics, or climb up the small mountain of Valahnúkur, from where you can enjoy magnificent views.

A surreal experience awaits

Otherworldly adventure under the Midnight Sun

EXPERIENCE THE TRUE LIFE IN THE NORTH

There are many reasons to tackle the Laugavegur trail, and the magnificent views are only one of them.

You will spend your nights in one of six traditional mountain huts with heating while you enjoy delicious Icelandic meals and relax and rejuvenate in steaming natural hot springs and mud pools.

Experience the raw and primal traditions of the island, connect with nature, and energize your body, mind, and soul in the peaceful and breathtaking environment that can only be found in Iceland.

You will also cross a river while hiking on the Laugavegur Trail.

You will spend your nights in one of the six traditional mountain huts on the Laugavegur Trail.

Enjoy the company

Sleeping with your travel buddies in huts in the middle of Icelandic vastness creates unbreakable bonds. Combine cultural immersion and awe-inspiring scenery into one unforgettable experience. As you share the long and bright Icelandic summer days with people from other sides of the world, you’ll feel like you’re on a big family trip!

This journey hosts anywhere from 6 to 16 travelers looking for an adventure.

EPIC FOOTPATHS
UNIQUE GEOLOGY
MOUNTAIN HUTS
63°52′ N AND 19°14′ E
A TRUE ADVENTURE

The trek on the Laugavegur Trail will require moderate strength, especially for the river crossing.

Trekking on the Laugavegur Trail will reward you with amazing vistas and an unforgettable experience.

Dine on local Icelandic food and share memories with fellow hikers on the Laugavegur Trail.

Your guides

Jón Yngvi Gylfason is a very experienced summit and glacier guide. He has been leading and co-leading expeditions in Iceland and Greenland, crossing the Icelandic highlands and the Greenland ice cap crossing. He’s a certified and experienced WMA Wilderness First Responder with a basic mountaineering education from the ICE-SAR.

Malgorzata Nowak (Mao) is a Polish traveler. In her early adult years, she visited Iceland, where she fell in love with the language and landscape. Every summer, she comes back to her source of energy which is Fjallabak Syðri. Nowadays, she studies creative writing at the University of Iceland alongside working within the theatre field and design. In 2013 she was certified as an Icelandic park ranger.

Jón Yngvi Gylfason is a very experienced summit and glacier guide who will take you on this adventure.

Malgorzata Nowak is an Icelandic park ranger who serves as a guide for the laugavegur trail.

We just got home after completing the 4-day backpacking trip along the Grand Canyon’s Hermit Loop with Wildland Trekking. It was a once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable experience. Thanks to detailed packing instructions on the Wildland website, and suggestions for training, we were well-prepared for our journey into the Grand Canyon. Our guide, Tolman, was very knowledgeable about the Canyon. He prepared amazing meals every night that went far beyond freeze-dried camping packets. He made sure we always had plenty of filtered water. He made sure everyone in the group felt included. We always felt very safe with Tolman, which allowed us to relax and enjoy this memorable journey. We highly recommend Wildland Trekking (and ask for Tolman if you can), and we will certainly be using them for future adventures!!

The Grandview Trek in the Grand Canyon with Wildland Trekking was one of our best trips ever. The guides were experienced, talented professionals, which made the trip so much richer. They were also excellent cooks and the conversations with them about the area and their lifetime experiences was very interesting. Will definitely come back to Wildland Trekking in the future.

Trip of a lifetime! Grand Canyon is amazing and I will definitely be back. Tamara (our guide) was very organized and took good care of guest trekkers. It was my first time trekking and would recommend it to other folks who are ready to learn about trekking.

Had a great trip with our guide Magda. The small group made it possible for her to tailor the hikes to our level. The whole trip was challenging enough to feel great (though very tired) at the end without ever being overwhelmed.

Wildland Trekking gives you pre-trip information and a fitness plan to ensure you are ready to enjoy the trip of a lifetime. The staff and guides are available to answer questions you may have about gear needs and the trip. The guides do an excellent job pacing each day, preparing you for the day, and providing interesting stories and facts about the trail. It was an amazing trip, and I am planning another one with them!