Scenic 6 Day Hiking Tour in Iceland from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk with Fimmvörðuháls day hike
Description
Summary
Description
Combine two of Iceland’s most popular highland hiking trails, with a week you’ll never forget trekking from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk with a day hike up to the famous Fimmvörðuháls mountain pass. Those seeking to make the most of Iceland’s incredible natural beauty with a good level of fitness should not overlook this tour.
The adventure begins when you are transferred from Reykjavík to Landmannalaugar in the highlands. This oasis of hot springs, rivers and rhyolite mountains is unbelievably beautiful, but just a taste of what is ahead. From here, you will take the Laugavegur trail over four days to the stunning forested valley of Þórsmörk.
This route takes you by vast glaciers, around crater lakes, and across deserts of black sands, in an array of landscapes that look like they belong to another planet.
From Þórsmörk, you will go on a day hike up to Fimmvörðuháls mountain pass, famous for its dramatic volcanic landscape after a volcanic eruption in 2010. Take in the glacier views, steaming earth, and dramatic ridges and valleys, before returning to Þórsmörk in the evening.
On the last day in Þórsmörk, you will get a chance to explore this beautiful valley before returning to Reykjavík.
Your accommodation throughout the journey is in comfortable mountain huts. Your luggage will be taken from hut to hut for your convenience, and all meals are included for the duration of the tour.
Hikers will find no better way to spend a week in Iceland than by joining this excursion. Don't miss your chance. Check availability by choosing a date.
Included
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - Landmannalaugar
On day one, you will meet your guide and group at the BSI Terminal, to catch your bus to Landmannalaugar. You will then be driven along the scenic South Coast to this highland retreat.
You’ll have your lunch, before setting out on your hike. Heading south, you will enter a region of rhyolite mountains and steaming earth, with hot-springs, rivers and valleys, all to admire. By late afternoon, you’ll reach a mountain hut where you can unwind and marvel at the midnight sun.
Day 2 - Álftarvatn
On your second day, you will head deeper into the highlands, through more dramatic valleys and gorges. Your destination will come into sight quite soon into your hike, but it will take a fair few hours to reach. Álftavatn is a highland lake, renowned for its excess of birdlife and dramatic surrounding mountains.
Also within sight throughout this hike will be the glaciers of Eyjafjallajökull (which erupted in 2010) and Mýrdalsjökull. Get used to seeing them, as they will be dominant features on the skyline throughout the week.
Day 3 - Mælifellssandur and Emstrur
Today, you will cross the vast black sand desert of Mælifellssandur, a haunting expanse with a great wealth of folklore that your guide will describe to you. The most notable feature of this empty region is the standalone mountain Stórasúla; it rises a verdant green from endless darkness and has been featured in several Hollywood movies.
Emstrur is much more luscious than Mælifellsandur, but no less scenic; farmers historically used this area for grazing sheep. You will find your mountain hut here and retire for the night.
Day 4 - Emstrur and Þórsmörk
On your fourth day, you will finally reach the Þórsmörk region, ending your time taking the Laugavegur trail. As you hike, the land around you will become more and more verdant, until you are in a valley filled with trees, wildflowers, and snaking river systems. By evening, you’ll have reached your mountain hut.
Day 5 - Fimmvörðuháls Trail
On day five of your adventure, you will go on a day hike up to the beautiful Fimmvörðuháls mountain pass. The first region you will pass through is called Goðalönd, which directly translates to the Land of Gods; when you see the glaciers rising nearby, the dramatic cliffs and ridges, and the beautiful wildflowers, you will have little doubt as to why.
Following that, you will pass across the fresh lava from Eyjafjallajökull’s 2010 eruption. After a rewarding day of hiking, you will return to Þórsmörk for a well-deserved rest.
Day 6 - Þórsmörk
On day six, you will have the opportunity to explore Þórsmörk better before we head back to Reykjavík. This area is so incredible that it was named after the Old Norse God of Thunder, Thor - or Þór.
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