Iceland Trail

Your Icelandic adventure begins in the capital city of Reykjavik, where you’ll meet your fellow trekkers and make yourself ready for an overnight stay and gear-up session. The next day, you’ll step on a scenic (and bumpy) bus to Landmannalaugar. Lying in the highlands, Landmannalaugar is known for its colorful rhyolite mountains and natural hot springs. At Landmannalaugar, you’ll set up camp and go on an 11-kilometer day hike to stretch your legs. In the evening you can jump in the geothermal pools before settling in for the night.

The first stage takes you through some of Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes as you hike from Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker. Along the way, you’ll encounter steaming hot springs, bubbling mud pots, and views of snow-capped peaks. As you reach the highlands, be prepared for challenging terrain and ever-changing weather conditions. It can be snowy, windy, or sunny in Iceland, even during the summer. The stage ends at Hrafntinnusker, but sometimes, when it’s too windy up there, you’ll hike directly to the next camping spot as these stages are not too long and can be linked together.

The trail descends into the valleys of Álftavatn leading through lava fields alongside the rivers while you see Iceland’s diverse ecology. When you arrive at Álftavatn, you’ll set camp at the lake, where you’ll spend the night.

Continuing the trail southwards, you’ll trek through the beautiful landscape of Emstrur, also known as Botnar. This area is known for its canyons, valleys, and cliffs, which provide a stark contrast to the volcanic terrain of the past days. Along the way, you’ll pass the beautiful Markarfljót River and canyon for the best viewpoints. The last campsite along the trail is perfect with views of several glaciers in the area.

The final stage leads to Þórsmörk between the glaciers of Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. The trail leads through a forest, atypical for this area as the Iceland Trail keeps surprising. A last river crossing takes you to Þórsmörk, the endpoint where you can enjoy a warm drink and fresh food after all the freeze-dried meals of the past few days. After completing the official Iceland Trail, there will be another day hike in the beautiful surroundings of Þórsmörk before setting out to Reykjavik to return home.

If you’re hiking the Laugavegur trail you’re bound to the summer months. The best time to hike the trail is July and August, though it’s wise to prepare for unpredictable weather, including possible snow blizzards and strong winds even in these months. That’s why many hikers hike this trail with a guided group such as the Iceland Trail.

Hiking in Iceland offers some of the most stunning landscapes on the planet, from glaciers and volcanoes to waterfalls and geothermal springs. However, the rugged terrain and unpredictable weather conditions require careful preparation and respect for safety guidelines.

The most important thing while hiking in Iceland is that you be aware of the harsh weather conditions which are also possible in the summer season. Snow blizzards or heavy rain with a cold wind are always a threat, so bring your hardshell layers and know how to deal with such weather.

River crossings

On this trail, you’ll face some river crossings. Make sure you’re okay with this and bring your water shoes and hiking poles which make the crossings safer and easier.