Laugavegur Trail Guided Walk

Land Tour

5 days

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Laugavegur Trail Guided Walk
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  • Itinerary
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$AUD 890 per day

Departure: Reykjavik, Iceland

If you are planning to do one walk in Iceland and you are short on time, this is the logical choice. The best known of all treks in Iceland, the Laugavegur Trail offers all the colours of the rainbow over the course of this 5 day hike. Beginning in the geothermal valley of Landmannalaugar in the southern highlands, the route heads south past small gorges to the Thórsmörk valley. Arriving at the foot of Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which last errupted in 2010 and whose crater is completely covered by an ice cap, marks one of the many highlights of the trip. The trail then crosses the third biggest geothermal zone in the world, where steaming hot springs are dotted through the landscape, over the yellow rhyolite mountains, through black deserts, past great canyons and into the green valley of Thórsmörk. It is no coincidence that the Laugavegur hike each year attracts travellers from around the world, in addition to being a great favourite amongst locals. Throughout this guided trip you will stay in mountain huts and marvel at the changing landscapes with your fellow walkers.
Important note: This hike is grade 4, moderate to challenging and suits those that are physically active and have experience walking in mountainous terrain with a backpack. You should expect to walk 6-7 hrs. per day over rough terrain with some river crossings. It is a requirement of joining this trip that you take full responsibility for meeting the physical fitness requirements of the trip. If you are not fit enough or not properly equipped for the trip you may be dismissed from the tour at your own expense.
About
4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners. Special diets can be catered for on request (e.g. vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free diet) however a supplement will apply. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
4 nights in mountain huts on a multishare basis (dormitory style, sleeping bag needed)
Experienced English speaking walking guide for 5 days
Cooking gear
Luggage transfer during the trek - soft duffel bag is preferable, max weight 18kg pp (excess luggage can be stored in luggage lockers in Reykjavik)
Public transport Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar and from Þórsmörk back to Reykjavik
Emergency hotline
Hightlights
Hiking Iceland’s best known trail
Crossing the third largest geothermal zone in the world
Walking through the colourful mountains of Landmannalaugar and witnessing the contrasts of black sand and green moss
Staying in rustic mountain huts
Enjoying the camaraderie of your fellow walkers

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Itinerary
Day 1 - Early bus from Reykjavik to Landmannalauger, walk to Hrafntinnusker (4-5hrs)
Meet your guide and group in Reykjavik early this morning (at 6.30am). We take the early bus (7am sharp) that drives along the mountain tracks that lead to Landmannalaugar, passing by the Hekla volcano and others volcans in the Domadalur area. Arriving in Landmannalaugar around noon, we have lunch then walk south into the mountains. The trail takes us past small gorges, steaming hot springs and yellow mountain ridges. We arrive at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut in the late afternoon.
Distance: 12km/7.5mi. Ascent: 470m/1540ft.
Day 2 - Continue on foot to Álftavatn (4-5hrs)
From Hrafntinnusker we descend in the gullies of Jökultungur, where there are hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools. We'll 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 overnight.
Distance: 12km/7.5mi. Descent: 490m/1610ft.
Day 3 - Trek to Emstrur via the black deserts of Maelifellssandur (6-7hrs)
We pass at the foot of the green conic volcano Stórasúla, before entering the black deserts of Maelifellssandur. 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 Emstrur-Botnar hut, where we stay overnight, we visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon, which cuts almost 200m into the rocks south of Hattfell.
Distance: 16km/10mi. Descent: 40m/130ft.
Day 4 - Through valleys and gullies to Thórsmörk (6-7hrs)
We continue up and down through the small valleys and gullies of Emstrur, where the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier rises only a couple of kilometres away. At the end of the day the vegetation starts to grow thicker and higher as we descend into Thórsmörk's green valleys (the 'woods of Thor'), filled with arctic birch forests and colourful flowers. We stay overnight in one of the huts in Thórsmörk.
Distance: 19km/12mi. Descent: 300m/985ft
Day 5 - Optional day walks at Thórsmörk, afternoon bus to Reykjavik, trip concludes
We spend the morning in Thórsmörk, where we walk along one of numerous paths - for example, we can visit the Sönghellir cave (a 'singing' cave'), or climb the small mountain of Valahnúkur which has magnificent views. We'll take the afternoon bus to Reykjavik, where the trip ends in the evening (approx 7.30pm).
Distance: 5-10km/3-6mi
Location

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