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Highlights
Journey across the Laugavegur Trail on this 5-day self-guided trek
Trek through black deserts, deep orange canyons, and across yellow ridges. Get your camera ready!
Practice your Icelandic pronunciation with glacier names like Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull.
Hike on sections of the trail that was named one of the best in the world by National Geographic.
Visit the bubbling geothermal area of Iceland packed with hundreds of hot springs and mud pools.
Do you want to trek the Laugavegur Trail - one of the best trails in Iceland without the set schedule of a guided tour? This 5-day self-guided trekking tour of the Laugavegur Trail will likely pique your interest!
The Laugavegur Trail winds through ethereal scenery in southwest Iceland with remote huts dotted along the way for trekkers to spend each night. On this self-guided tour, you will receive a detailed information package to help you navigate. Meals are not included, but you can add a food pack to your tour for a fee or pack your own sustenance.
As you hike into the Icelandic wilderness, be prepared to observe unique land formations and otherworldly views full of volcanoes, mineral pools, and geothermal activity, deep canyons and caves, and black-sand deserts. For adventure-seekers who want to explore the trails at their own pace, this self-guided tour on the Laugavegur Trail is a top choice.
Do you want to trek the Laugavegur Trail - one of the best trails in Iceland without the set schedule of a guided tour? This 5-day self-guided trekking tour of the Laugavegur Trail will likely pique your interest!
The Laugavegur Trail winds through ethereal scenery in southwest Iceland with remote huts dotted along the way for trekkers to spend each night. On this self-guided tour, you will receive a detailed information package to help you navigate. Meals are not included, but you can add a food pack to your tour for a fee or pack your own sustenance.
As you hike into the Icelandic wilderness, be prepared to observe unique land formations and otherworldly views full of volcanoes, mineral pools, and geothermal activity, deep canyons and caves, and black-sand deserts. For adventure-seekers who want to explore the trails at their own pace, this self-guided tour on the Laugavegur Trail is a top choice.
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Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Bus to Trailhead and Trek to Hrafntinnusker
Welcome to Iceland! Start your journey at the bus station in Reykjavík to board the public bus to Landmannalaugar. On the ride, you’ll see your first glimpses of supernatural Icelandic landscapes with peaks and volcanoes. Take a lunch break at the trailhead, then begin your journey on the Laugavegur Trail. The route will lead you past small canyons, hot springs, and vivid mountain ridges. Reach your first mountain hut in Hrafntinnusker by the late afternoon, cook your dinner, and settle in for the night.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 12 km, 4–5 hours, 470 m of ascent
Meals: None
Day 2 Trek to Álftavatn Lake
Get an early start, prepare your breakfast in the hut, then set out for the day. Today’s trek leads you through the gorges of Jökultungur, filled with several steaming hot springs and mud pools. Following your map, you’ll come upon a spectacular viewpoint and catch sight of the impressive Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. Arrive at the lakeside hut in Álftavatn by the late afternoon. Explore this gorgeous remote lake as the sun sets, then settle into your dorm for the night.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 12 km, 4–5 hours, 490 m of descent
Meals: None
Day 3 Black Desert and Hike to Emstrur
Rise early, maybe catching the sunrise over Álftavatn lake as you enjoy breakfast. Today’s trail demonstrates the various terrain comprising Iceland. Start at the base of a vibrant green volcano as you hike into the black deserts of Mælifellssandur. Before reaching the hut for the night, take a slight detour to visit Markafljót Canyon, reaching 200 m in depth. Arrive at the Botnar hut in the Emstrur region and take a well-earned rest.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 15 km, 6–7 hours, 40 m of descent
Meals: None
Day 4 Trek Emstrur to Þórsmörk
Prepare yourself a hearty breakfast, then head out for a big hiking day. Hike through vast gullies and undulating hills of the Emstrur region with views of glaciers nearby. As you complete the trekking loop, you’ll enter dense birch forests and striking valleys of alpine flowers. Arrive at the hut and congratulate yourself on completing the 54-km loop of the Laugavegur Trail!
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 15 km, 6–7 hours, 300 m of descent
Meals: None
Day 5 Explore Þórsmörk and Departure
Enjoy your last morning in Þórsmörk, taking some time to explore the surrounding trails. Choose from options like the Sönghellir Cave, renowned for its echoes, or climbing a small mountain to reach magnificent views. In the afternoon, depart on the public bus to return to the bus station in Reykjavík, then continue onto the next leg of your journey. Arrival at Reykjavik Central bus Station at around 19:30.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided tour in Iceland is always run as a fixed-departure tour and the price is fixed.The prices below are per person:
Start
Finish
Duration
Spaces Left
Price
Accommodation on the Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour
This tour is based in traditional mountain huts. The huts are basic but do provide running water, flushable toilets or outhouses, and fully-equipped kitchens. All of the 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. You can choose to bring your own sleeping bag or rent one from the tour company.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Single rooms are not available on this tour as mountain huts only have shared dormitories.
What’s included in the Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour?
Meals
Meals are not included in the tour.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 4 nights is included in the tour.
Transportation during the Tour
Tickets for public transportation are included for transfers at the beginning and end of the trek to and from Reykjavík. Luggage transport during the trek is included too.
Also Included
- Detailed information package with self-guided walking route, notes, and maps
- 1x Transfer of luggage item per person (18kg) between huts
Not included
- Meals
- Sleeping bag
- Shower in mountain hut (payable directly at huts)
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Anything not mentioned as “included”
Optional Extras
- Sleeping bag rental
- Hiking poles
- Extra nights in Reykjavík
- How hard is the Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Iceland?
- Are meals included on the Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour?
- What should I have with me on this trek?
- Sturdy Hiking Boots – waterproof with good ankle support
- Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic
- T-shirt (thermal underwear), Wool or synthetic
- Light wool or fleece sweater (2nd layer)
- Trousers – Strong and light material that dries quickly e.g. soft-shell
- Jacket with a good hood – windproof, waterproof and breathable, e.g. Gore-Tex or comparable
- Rain trousers – windproof, waterproof and breathable. Please note that full raingear is mandatory in Iceland, poncho is not useful because of wind
- Gloves – Wool or synthetic 2 pairs of different thickness
- Socks – Wool or synthetic. Two or three pairs
- Warm hat – Wool or synthetic
- Swimwear if you want to bathe in the hot geothermal pool in Landmannalaugar
- A duffel bag for the transport of your overnight gear between huts. Please avoid bringing a suitcase!
- Day backpack for extra clothes and lunch pack during the day. 25 – 40L (1500 – 2500 cu in)
- River 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. Open sandals or flip-flops will not do the job
- Sleeping bag. A basic sleeping bag with no specific temperature rating is sufficient for this trek since all the huts are heated
- Towel – lightweight and packable
- Sunglasses & sun protection
- Water container – thermos flask, water bottle 0.5 – 1L. or Camelbak
- Headlamp for reading and getting around the hut
- Change of clothes for wearing in the hut
- Personal first aid kit – including blister care
- Prescription medication and other personal health items
- Toiletries; Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap etc
- Earplugs
- Lunch box
- Walking pole(s). To preserve the vulnerable nature please keep the rubber tip protectors on.
- Power-bank / extra battery for your electronics – small solar cells usually do not work that well in Iceland, so a pre-charged power bank is a better option. Charging your electronics in the highlands often is not an option or will cost you extra. Having converters adapters for 220 V and/or USB will help.
- Gaiters (recommended for departures in June and early July)
- Pocket knife
- Sun/rain hat or a cap
- Shorts
- Small thermal mat (to sit on for lunch breaks)
- Puffy jacket (e.g. Primaloft or down)
- Dry-bags for electronics and extra clothing
- Slippers for indoor use
- Pillow or pillowcase (to wrap around your warm sweater or down jacket for a pillow)
- Playing cards and travel games – or other toys you might like and can travel
- Cash– for the showers, a shower normally costs about 500 ISK
- Book - to read during the evenings
- Aperitif or other heart-warming spirits
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Reykjavík to start this tour?
- Is the Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour in English?
- Where does the Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Iceland?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Iceland?
- When is the best time to travel to Iceland for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. You should be comfortable hiking for up to 7 hours and sleeping in remote mountain huts during the tour.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Meals are not included in the tour. A food pack with easily-prepared meals can be added for a fee.
Please check the list below:
Boots and Clothing
Other gear
Optional gear
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
You can reach Reykjavík by plane from many major European and North American airports. You will make your own way to the bus station in Reykjavík to start the tour.
Yes, the tour information provided is in English.
The tour ends in Reykjavík, where you will make your own way to the airport.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Iceland for trekking is from June to September when the weather is mild.
Customer Ratings
Icelandic Mountain Guides are a boutique adventure tour company that has been sharing the best of Iceland’s beautiful wilderness since 1994. Their passion for nature and adventure drives them to provide quality, fun and educational experiences for their guests. They are also committed to the environment, carbon neutralizing all of their day tours.
