Five day vehicle assisted trek from hut to hut

The best known of all treks in Iceland, this trail leads from the famous valley of Landmannalaugar in the southern highlands, south to Þórsmörk valley north of the great Eyjafjallajökull glacier. On the way we cross the third biggest geothermal zone in the world, pass yellow rhyolite mountains, black deserts, great canyons and green valleys. It is no coincidence that the “Laugavegur” hike each year attracts travelers from around the world in addition of being a great favorite amongst locals. Accommodation in comfortable mountain huts.

Equipment list

Included : Guide for 5 days, transportation to and from Reykjavík, food for 5 days (from lunch day 1 to lunch day 5), mountain hut fees, cooking gear and transfer of luggage.
Note : Accommodation / camping fees before and after the tour are not included in base price. See options in Trip guide.
** This tour can be linked with IMG35 to make a 7 day trekking tour.
Duration : 5 days
Meeting Point : The participants are picked up at accommodation in Reykjavík before the tour starts and the tour ends at the central bus station in Reykjavík. Pick up from hotel or guesthouse at the beginning of the tour can be added for an extra fee.

Day 1: Pick up at hotel or guesthouse in Reykjavík from 7:40 to 8:00. Then we take the regular bus that during the summer months drives the mountain tracks that lead to Landmannalaugar, passing by the Hekla volcano and other volcanoes in the Dómadalur area. Arriving in Landmannalaugar at noon, we have a lunch and then head south into the mountains. The trail takes us past small gorges, steaming hot springs and yellow mountain ridges. Arrival at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut, were we will stay the night, in the late afternoon.
Distance: 12km (7.5 mi)        Walking time: 4-5 hrs    Ascent: 470 m (1540 ')

Day 2: From Hrafntinnusker we descend down in the gullies of Jökultungur with hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools. Up there we enjoy fascinating views to the south to the Álftavatn area (Swan Lake), and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. In the afternoon we arrive at Álftavatn hut where we stay the night.
Distance: 12km (7.5 mi)    Walking time: 4-5 hrs    Descent: 490 m (1610 ')

Day 3: We pass at the foot of the green conic volcano of Stórasúla before entering the black deserts of Mælifellssandur. Heading towards another ancient and verdurous volcano, the Hattfell, we enter the Emstrur region where farmers used to graze their sheep in summer. Before arriving at the Botnar hut where we stay the night, we visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon cut almost 200 m down into the rocks south of Hattfell.
Distance: 15km (9.5 mi)        Walking time: 6-7 hrs    Descent: 40 m (130 ')
 
Day 4:  We continue up and down through the small valleys and gullies of Emstrur, where the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier rises only a couple of kilometers away. At the end of the day the vegetation starts to grow thicker and higher as we descend in to Þórsmörk's (the woods of Thor) green valleys filled with arctic birch forests and colorful flowers. Night in one of the huts in Þórsmörk.
Distance: 15km (9.5 mi)    Walking time: 6-7 hrs    Descent: 300 m (985 ')

Day 5: We spend the morning in Þórsmörk where we walk along one of numerous paths. For example, we can visit to the Sönghellir cave (“Song cave”), climb up the small mountain of Valahnúkur from where magnificent view can be enjoyed, before taking the afternoon bus to Reykjavík.  Arrival at Reykjavik Central bus Station at 19:00, where the trip ends.

*All of the mountain huts are heated, some have electricity and some have hot water. There are bunk rooms with single and twin beds, participants have to be prepared to share a bed with a stranger.