Grand Laugavegur Trek - 8 Day Tour Multi-day tour Best seller
Our partner: Arctic Adventures
Our partner: Arctic Adventures
GRAND LAUGAVEGUR - 8 DAY TREKKING TOUR
This is your chance to experience 8 days of exceptional landscapes and geographical phenomena! We will discover the land of extreme contrast. Prepare to be impressed by the unearthly beauty of Landmannalaugar, Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls hiking trails and beautiful natural surroundings.
The tour starts in Landmannalaugar, one of Iceland´s wonders and most geologically active areas with the active volcano Hekla close by. Hike towards the ill-named crater lake, Ljóti Pollur (Ugly Puddle), to Iceland's most colorful volcano called Brennisteinalda or Suðuhámur, liparit mountain where you can have a great view on the entire Landmannalaugar area. Relax in a natural hot pool, where both hot and cold water flow out from beneath Laugahraun Lava, while you enjoy the beautiful landscapes surrounding you.
Finally, embark on the adventure of Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls Trek, a truly great trail which demonstrates the diverse nature Iceland has to offer. Rambling lava fields, obsidian lands, multi colored mountains and black sands while viewing glaciers and hot springs along the way. Culminate your trip in Þórsmörk as we hike up to the Fimmvörðuháls Pass- between Eyjafjallajökull and the larger Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. On our journey we reach the new craters named Magni and Móði after the Thunder God's sons, Thor, and formed in the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010. We end our adventure with a nice barbecue dinner on our last night in Þórsmörk.
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The tour starts by the Tourist Information Center at Reykjavik's City Hall on Vonarstræti at 7.00. Vonarstræti is within walking distance of most hotels and guesthouses in central Reykjavík. After introductions we board the scheduled bus that takes us to Landmannalaugar. From Reykjavik we drive inland through the beautiful Þjórsárdalur valley, named after the river Þjórsár and the longest river in Iceland, towards Hekla Volcano. Passing extensive lava fields from previous eruptions we approach the Landmannalaugar area with its amazing peaks. After our lunch we will set on a 10 km hike to ill-named Ljótipollur (Ugly Puddle) Lake qualified among 42 of the World´s Most Beautiful Crater Lakes. An incredible red crater filled with bright -blue water and real eye-candy. In the evening you will enjoy a relaxing bath in the natural hot pool and spend the night in Landmannalaugar hut.( L, r, D) Driving: 4 hours Hiking Distance 10-12 km (6-7,50 mi)
Today we will hike till Suðurhámur, 200 000 years old mountain reach in liparit mineral. On the way up to the Suðurhámur you will enjoy numbers of ravines and colorful sights of the area; and on its top a dramatic landscape on the Landmannalaugar´s empire, Kirkjufellið, Laugahraun lava, Bláhnúkur volcano or Brennisteinsalda, the most colorful mountain in Iceland.(B, L, r, D) Driving: 0 hours Hiking Distance 11 km (6,84 mi)
Our hike starts in Landmannalaugar as we walk through this geothermal wonderland and look at the colorful mountains and steaming hot springs. We walk by the beautiful hot spring Stórihver before crossing into the obsidian desert by Hrafntinnusker. We stay in one of the most remote huts in Iceland, Hrafntinnusker. (L, r, D) Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi) Walking time: 4-5 hrs Ascent: 470 m (1540 ')
After a communal breakfast we head out again and walk along the Reykjafjöll mountains and then descend into the Jökultungur area. The geothermal activity has turned these gullies yellow and red. From the top of Jökultungur there is a great view over the Fjallabak area and lake Álftavatn which is our next overnight stop. Before reaching Álftavatn we cross an un-bridged stream on foot. We will spend the night in a hut by the beautiful Álftavatn Lake.(B, L, r, D) Distance: 12 km (7.5 mi) Walking time: 4-5 hrs Descent: 490 m (1610 ')
We start the day with another refreshing stream crossing as we make our way past the green volcano Stórasúla and into the black desert of Mælifellssandur. On our way we will see Hattafell, a volcano with a strange flat top. We walk through this black glacial desert and into Emstrur where there is a chance to enjoy the view on Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. Just before reaching the hut in Botnar we turn of the path to see the stunning Markarfljótsgljúfur, an almost 200 m deep canyon carved out by the glacial river Markarfljót. The hut in Botnar is located in a little green oasis, a welcome sight after walking through the black sands.(B, L, r, D) Distance: 15 km (9.5 mi) Walking time: 6-7 hrs Descent: 40 m (130 ')
We put Emstrur behind us and continue along the canyons on our way to Þórsmörk. The trail takes us within a few kilometers from the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier. As we descend towards Almenningar a few trees can be seen, a sign we are getting closer to the coast. We walk under the characteristic mountain Einhyrningur and into the dense birch forest in Þórsmörk. Þórsmörk is a green valley nesting under the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, a magnificent place to spend the night.(B, L, r, D) Distance: 15 km (9.5 mi) Walking time: 6-7 hrs Descent: 300 m (985 ')
Today we leave Þórsmörk early in the morning and head for the mountain pass between the two glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. We will walk up to the two new craters formed in 2010, Magni and Móði, named after the sons of Thor. On the way we pass by a ”waterfall” of lava formed in the eruption. Here you have a chance to see how Iceland is still being constructed and enjoy a fantastic view over the valley. We spend the night in Þórsmörk and have a "Goodbye" party while enjoying a traditional Icelandic barbecued lamb for dinner.(B, L, r, D) Distance: 16 km (10 mi) Walking time: 7-8 hrs Ascent: 800 m (2600 ')
In the morning we have a leisurely breakfast in the hut before going out to explore amazing surroundings. The volcanoes Katla and Eyjafjallajökull surround the Þórsmörk valley, for thousands of years these volcanoes and the glaciers that cover them have carved the sandstone in Þórsmörk into surreal sculptures dotted with moss and Arctic birch trees. We hike up the mountain Útigönguhöfði for a fantastic view over the valley. Those who wish can also simply spend the relaxing and enjoying nature in this beautiful place. We return to Reykjavík in the early evening where the tour ends at the main tourist info at Reykjavík's City Hall (Ráðhúsið) on Vonarstræti around 18:30, in the heart of Reykjavík. From there taxis and local buses are available.(B, L) Driving distance: 3,5 hours. Distance: 6 km (3,5 mi) Walking time: 3 hrs
The entries at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, r=refreshment, D= Dinner)