Exciting 5-Day Laugavegur Trekking with South Coast and Glacier Hiking from Reykjavik
Description
Summary
Description
Take the challenge of conquering the world-famous Laugavegur trail on this five-day trek that will let you explore the Highlands of Iceland. Adventurers who want to enjoy geothermal springs, colorful mountains, and lush valleys and hike atop a massive glacier should book this tour today.
This multi-day adventure tour in Iceland begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Reykjavik. Your English-speaking guide will wait for you here and then brief you about the exciting five-day itinerary, including the Laugavegur trek covering 38.5 miles (62 kilometers) of trail and glacier hiking at the Solheimajokull glacier.
You'll start your hike at the Landmannalaugar area, 113 miles (182 kilometers) east of the Icelandic capital. The towering Brennisteinsalda volcano, the moss-covered Laugahraun lava field, and the Vondugil canyon are the sites to explore in this area of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. There are also natural hot springs you can bathe in.
After a day of trekking through colorful rhyolite mountains, you'll enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by your group and have a night's rest in a Landmannalaugar mountain hut.
For the rest of your five-day hiking tour, you'll spend each night in cozy mountain huts, where you will also prepare your group meals while surrounded by the beautiful nature of Iceland.
Dramatic changes in the surrounding terrain will define your days two and three as you hike around the magnificent Alftavatn lake. You'll enjoy walking amongst black sand deserts and snowy mountain peaks before reaching a beautiful oasis where nesting ducks and other birds thrive peacefully.
Other highlights of your second and third days are the lonely mountain of Maelifell and the Emstrur valley. The green slopes of Mount Maelifell are a sight to behold against the black sands of the Maelifellssandur desert around it.
Your fourth day on the hiking tour brings you to the end of the Laugavegur trail as you explore the world-renowned Thorsmork valley. This valley features lava fields, forested areas, and three surrounding glaciers.
Thorsmork translates to "the Valley of Thor," and its beauty lives up to the name of the greatest of the Old Norse Gods.
After four days on the Laugavegur hiking trail, the group will depart from the remote mountains and approach the South Coast region. Two of the most majestic waterfalls in Iceland, the Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, await you in this area.
To end your multi-day tour in the land of fire and ice on a high note, you'll have a chance to explore the frozen wilderness of the Soheimajokull glacier. The glacier hiking activity will let you see ice walls, crevasses, and ridges.
The tour ends as you return to Reykjavik with memories and photos of a lifetime. Guests can bring one small day bag and a larger bag up to 44 lbs (20 kg).
See the hidden beauty of the Highlands of Iceland by trekking in the Laugavegur trail and glacier hiking on Myrdalsjokull glacier on this small-group tour from Reykjavik. Check availability now by choosing a date.
Included
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar Area
Your five-day hiking tour in Iceland starts with convenience as you get picked up from your hotel in Reykjavik. You’ll immediately meet your experienced guide, who will provide you with the best assistance and information for the next five days.
From the capital of Iceland, the group will journey eastward to reach the Landmannalaugar area, the head of the Laugavegur trail. En route to this destination, you’ll pass through some fantastic landscapes, the most notable of which is the notorious Hekla volcano.
After nearly four hours of traveling in South Iceland, your small group will reach the Landmannalaugar area of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. This area is a hotspot for geothermal pools, earning the nickname “people’s pools.”
As you start your trekking journey for the day covering five miles (eight kilometers) of the trail, you’ll find yourself surrounded by colorful rhyolite mountains. The mountain range has shades of green, red, and yellow that resembles Peru’s famous Rainbow Mountain.
Other noteworthy stops in Landmannalaugar are the Laugahraun lava field, Brennisteinsalda volcano, and Vondugil canyon.
The moss-covered expanse of the Laugahraun lava field is an excellent introduction to the volcanic landscapes of Iceland. Meanwhile, the volcano responsible for its creation is just within a short hiking distance.
The Brennisteinsalda volcano’s enormous height of 2,805 feet (855 meters) is hard to miss, especially with its colorful surface. The volcano boasts rich sulphuric deposits that make its body have black, green, and red shades. While marveling at this “Sulphur Wave,” don’t forget to take some photos.
Your first day of trekking ends as you reach the mountain hut in Landmannalaugar. Although less comfortable than a hotel, the mountain hut is a nice place to prepare your dinner and have a peaceful night’s rest for another day of hiking challenge the following day.
Day 2 - Landmannalaugar to Alftavatn Lake
Day two of trekking on the Laugavegur trail opens with a hearty breakfast prepared by your hiking group. After this Icelandic meal and a good night’s sleep, you’re now ready to take on another day of adventure in the Highlands.
For this day, you will cover around 15 miles (24 kilometers) of the trail from the Landmannalaugar area to Lake Alftavatn. First to see is the Hrafntinnusker desert, an obsidian desert with black volcanic sands. Visiting the desert up close and walking on its black sands is a unique experience you’ll enjoy.
The snowy peaks of the Reykjafjoll mountains are nearby, which offers an excellent view of the surrounding area. As you descend from Reykjafjoll, you’ll arrive at the Jokultungur valley, a hidden oasis with vibrant vegetation.
As you approach the other side of the Jokultungur valley, the scenery transforms from lush colors to gray and darker. Then once more, the group will make an ascent to reach the summit of Jokultungur mountain. On top, you can have a magnificent view of the vast Fjallabak Nature Reserve.
As you make one last stretch of a hike down the mountains, you’ll cross the shallow river of Grashagakvisl. The flow of the Grashagakvisl river is your guide to reach the highlight and last destination of your second day on the Laugavegur course.
After a day of hiking, you’ll finally get to the exceptional Alftavatn lake. The Icelandic lake is home to many species of birds, waterfowl, and swans that nest in the fertile waters during summer. Lake Alftavatn might be remote, but it is a well-known birdwatching spot.
After having the sumptuous meal you prepared with your guide and group, you’ll retire in a mountain hut by the Alftavatn lake for the night.
Day 3 - Lake Alftavatn to Emstrur Valley
Your day three on the Laugavegur trek begins with a beautiful view of Lake Alftavatn. While enjoying the peaceful sight, you’ll prepare meals with the guide and the small group of hikers.
As you depart from the lake to the Emstrur valley, you’ll visit some iconic off-road attractions that can only be seen up close by hiking. You’ll see otherworldly landscapes, including volcanoes, lava fields, jet-black sands, and river streams.
The first natural attraction to explore on this day is Storasula mountain. Although there are many amazing hills in the area, Mount Storasula will easily catch your attention because its cone shape reaches 2,274 feet (693 meters).
As you continue trekking in the Highlands of Iceland, you’ll come across an expanse of jet-black sands known to locals as the Maelifellssandur desert. This volcanic desert’s bleak landscape is stunning, especially with the many glacial streams crisscrossing it.
Near the center of the Maelifellssandur desert lies the most notable attraction in this area of the Icelandic Highlands, the majestic Maelifell volcano.
Mount Maelifell is often described as a lonely mountain by travelers because of its position against the black desert. However, this only adds to its allure because of the volcano’s spectacular cone shape and green slopes. In addition, it’s possible to view the mighty Myrdalsjokull glacier from this point.
From seeing these mostly barren geological formations, your views will change once again as you head over the Emstrur valley. Before reaching your resting mountain hut for the night, the group will make one last stop at the 656 feet (200 meters) deep Markarfljotsgljufur canyon.
After covering roughly 9.5 miles (15 kilometers) of hiking, you’ll spend the evening at a mountain hut in the Botnar area of the Emstrur valley.
Day 4 - Emstrur Valley to Thorsmork Nature Reserve
Your last day hiking on the Laugavegur trail highlights your five-day tour. The journey will finally take you to the breathtaking Thorsmork Nature Reserve, the crown jewel of the remote Icelandic regions.
Before starting your last trek stretch on the 9.5 miles (15 kilometers) trail, your group will prepare breakfast and snacks.
As you go further south, you will feel the presence of the Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull glaciers growing in the distance. Mydralsjokull is the fourth largest ice cap in Iceland, while Eyjafjallajokull is a notorious glacier volcano known for its 2010 eruption.
Another notable mountain in the Southern Highlands is Mount Einhyrningur. Locals and travelers call it the Unicorn mountain due to its bizarre shape that resembles a unicorn. In particular, its sharp mountain peaks look like the horns of a mythological creature.
Compared to your previous days of hiking, you may find this day easier to navigate because of the descending altitude.
Soon after, you’ll arrive in an area teeming with lush vegetation of birch trees and shrubs, signaling that you have reached the beautiful Thorsmork Nature Reserve.
Due to its rich flora and fauna, the Thorsmork valley serves as the green oasis of the entire Icelandic Highlands. As many as 170 species of plants thrive in the area due to the remote location of the mountain valley.
In addition, Thorsmork valley offers the best panoramic view of the Highlands. From this vantage point, you can marvel at glaciers, mountains, and plains intersected by rivers. While enjoying the breathtaking views, don’t forget to complete your Laugavegur experience by taking as many photos as possible.
After enjoying the “Valley of Thor,” you’ll depart from the Highlands region and travel to the small town of Hella to relax at a cozy country hotel.
Day 5 - South Coast Waterfalls and Glacier Hiking
The last day of your multi-day tour brings you to the South Coast of Iceland, the most visited region in the Nordic country outside the Capital Region. The South Coast boasts an unrivaled coastline view of the Atlantic, mighty glaciers, scenic villages, and fascinating waterfalls.
Before departing from the peaceful town of Hella, your small group will enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet at the country hotel.
Meanwhile, for your lunch and snacks, the trip will make several stops in shops and restaurants where you can buy food and souvenirs.
First to see is the unique Seljalandsfoss waterfall, cascading beautifully from a cliff of 200 feet (60 meters). Surrounding the waters of this attraction is a distinctive path that will allow you to see it from behind or any angle you prefer.
Besides its captivating appearance, many travelers visit this natural gem because of its proximity to the ring road.
Not far from here is an equally awe-inspiring waterfall of the same height, the Skogafoss waterfall. This waterfall has a wider cascade with a cliff swarmed by green mosses and grasses during summer.
Finally, the highlight of your South Coast tour is glacier hiking atop the Solheimajokull glacier.
Solheimajokull is an outer glacier of the bigger Myrdalsjokull ice cap, measuring five miles (eight kilometers) long. The glacier tongue features an impressive surface of ice plains, craters, and crevices fit for a thrilling glacier hiking experience.
Included in your tour package are all the safety and glacier equipment you need including crampons and harnesses. You will also get guidance from your experienced guide to make your experience safe and comfortable.
After a day of sightseeing and glacier hiking on the South Coast, you’ll return to your accommodation in Reykjavik with a lifetime of memories and photos to treasure.
What to bring
Good to know
-Minimum age to join the hiking tour is 14.
-Accommodation for days one to three is at different mountain huts, while day four is at a hotel.
-Facilities of the mountain huts are shared, including rooms and bathrooms. The use of a shower includes a minimal fee.
-Water, meals, and refreshments are provided in the mountain huts. All hikers, including the guide, will prepare the meals.
-The standard menu incorporates dairy, meat, and bread products. Special extra food can be purchased for those with allergies and dietary requirements upon booking.
-There are no power outlets and Wi-Fi in the mountain huts.
Each traveler is allocated a small backpack and one piece of luggage weighing up to 44 lbs (20 kgs). Extra baggage can be stored in the tour operator's Reykjavik office for a minimal fee.
-Sleeping bags can be rented upon booking.
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