Day 1 – Reykjavik – Landmannalaugar
From Reykjavik we drive inland through the beautiful Thjórsárdalur valley, named after the river Thjórsá and the longest river in Iceland, towards Hekla Volcano. Passing extensive lava fields from previous eruptions we approach the Landmannalaugar area with its amazing peaks. After our lunch we will set on a 10 km hike to ill-named Ljótipollur (Ugly Puddle) Lake qualified among 42 of the World´s Most Beautiful Crater Lakes. An incredible red crater filled with bright -blue water and real eye-candy. In the evening you will enjoy a relaxing bath in the natural hot pool.
Driving: 4 hours / Hiking Distance 10-12 km / Overnight: Landmannalaugar huts
Day 2 – Landmannalaugar
Today we will hike to Suðurhámur, 200 thousand years old mountain. On the way up to the Suðurhámur you will enjoy numbers of colorful sights of the area like Mountain Kirkjufell, Laugahraun lava, Bláhnúkur volcano and Brennisteinsalda, the most colorful mountain in Iceland.
Hiking Distance 11 km / Overnight: Landmannalaugar huts
Day 3 – Landmannalaugar – Hrafntinnusker
This day until 12:00 afternoon you will enjoy a free time and get ready for the next part of our Laugavegur Trek. Now is a good time to bathe in the natural hot springs at Landmannalaugar. The Trek starts passing through rambling Laugahraun lava field. On the way, you will enjoy colorful mountains and steaming hot springs. You will walk by the beautiful hot spring Stórihver before crossing into the obsidian desert of Hrafntinnusker.
Hiking Distance: 12km (7.5 mi). Walking time: 4-5 hrs. Ascent: 470 m (1540 ‘). Overnight: Hut in Hrafntinnusker
Day 4 – Hraftinnusker – Álftavatn Lake
After a communal breakfast we head out again and walk along the Reykjafjöll mountains and then descend into the Jökultungur area. The geothermal activity has turned these gullies yellow and red. From the top of Jökultungur there is a great view over the Fjallabak area and lake Álftavatn. Before reaching Álftavatn we cross an un-bridged stream on foot. We will spend the night in a hut by the beautiful Álftavatn Lake.
Hiking Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi) Walking time: 4-5 hrs Descent: 490 m (1610 ‘) Overnight: Hut at Álftavatn lake
Day 5 – Álftavatn Lake – Emstrur
We start the day with another refreshing stream crossing as we make our way past the green volcano Stórasúla and into the black desert of Mælifellssandur. On our way we will see Hattafell, a volcano with a strange flat top. We walk through this black glacial desert and into Emstrur where there is a chance to enjoy the view on Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. Just before reaching the hut in Botnar we turn of the path to see the stunning Markarfljótsgljúfur, an almost 200 m deep canyon carved out by the glacial river Markarfljót. The hut in Botnar is located in a little green oasis, a welcome sight after walking through the black sands.
Hiking Distance: 15 km (9.5 mi) Walking time: 6-7 hrs Descent: 40 m (130 ‘) Overnight: Hut in Botnar
Day 6 – Emstrur – Thorsmork Valley
We put Emstrur behind us and continue along the canyons on our way to Thorsmork valley. The trail takes us within a few kilometers from the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier. As we descend a few trees can be seen, a sign that we are getting closer to the coast. We walk under the characteristic mountain Einhyrningur and into the dense birch forest in Þórsmörk, a green valley nesting under the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull.
Hiking Distance: 15 km (9.5 mi) Walking time: 6-7 hrs Descent: 300 m (985 ‘) Overnight: Hut in Thorsmork
Day 7 – Fimmvörðuháls Pass
Today we leave Thorsmork early in the morning and head for the mountain pass between the two glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. We will walk up to the two new craters formed in 2010, Magni and Móði, named after the sons of Thor. Here you have a chance to see how Iceland is still being constructed and enjoy a fantastic view over the valley. In the evening we will have a “Goodbye” party while enjoying a traditional Icelandic barbecued lamb for dinner.
Hiking Distance: 16 km (10 mi) Walking time: 7-8 hrs Ascent: 800 m (2600 ‘) Overnight: Hut in Thorsmork Valley
Day 8 – Returning to Reykjavik
In the morning we have a leisurely breakfast in the hut before going out to explore amazing surroundings. The volcanoes Katla and Eyjafjallajökull surround the Thorsmork valley, for thousands of years these volcanoes and the glaciers that cover them have carved the sandstone in Þórsmörk into surreal sculptures dotted with moss and Arctic birch trees. We hike up the mountain Útigönguhöfði for a fantastic view over the valley. We return to Reykjavik in the early evening where the tour ends.
Driving distance: 3,5 hours. Hiking Distance: 6 km (3,5 mi) Walking time: 3 hrs Drop off: Downtown Reykjavik
