Treks / Iceland

Laugavegur Trail

Iceland · Nearest city: Reykjavík

TypeMulti-day trek

Days3–4

Distance≈ 55 km

Climbingvaries

Highest point1,100 m

Iceland's most famous trek, from the rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar to the valley of Þórsmörk, past steaming vents and black deserts.

Fitness Demanding

Best seasonLate June to early September

High pointHrafntinnusker

Watch out: Weather can be wintry even in July, and river crossings are cold. Book huts well ahead.

Why people choose it

It's one of the world's most colourful treks, through rhyolite mountains, lava fields and black deserts in just four days.

What makes it different

Rainbow-coloured rhyolite mountains
Hot springs at the start
Glaciers, deserts and birch forest in one trek

Day by day

The classic four-day walk from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, staying in the Icelandic Touring Association's huts or their campsites.

Highest point of each day · best views

Day1

Landmannalaugar → Hrafntinnusker

≈ 12 km↑ ≈ 470 m Highest: Hrafntinnusker plateau, 1,100 m

Colourful rhyolite mountains, steam vents and fields of black obsidian. The hardest climb of the trek.

Sleep: Hrafntinnusker hut or campsite
Day2

Hrafntinnusker → ÁlftavatnBest views

≈ 12 km Highest: Jökultungur ridge, 1,100 m

The big descent with glaciers in view and the first river crossing.

Sleep: Álftavatn hut or campsite
Day3

Álftavatn → Emstrur

≈ 16 km Highest: Mælifellssandur, 600 m

Black sand desert and the deep Markarfljót canyon. Ford the Bláfjallakvísl river.

Sleep: Emstrur (Botnar) hut or campsite
Day4

Emstrur → Þórsmörk

≈ 15 km Highest: Emstrur plateau, 500 m

From desert back into green birch woods, with a final river crossing at Þröngá.

Sleep: Langidalur or Básar huts in Þórsmörk

Where the best view is

Day 2, as you descend from the Hrafntinnusker plateau, the glaciers Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull and the Álftavatn lake open up below you.

Where to take a rest day

Þórsmörk at the end is worth an extra night: short hikes in birch valleys, or continue over Fimmvörðuháls to Skógar if you have legs left.

Route options

There is rarely just one way to walk Laugavegur Trail. These are the main choices people make.

Length: most people take 3–4 days; our day-by-day plan uses 4. You can shorten it by skipping a stage with a bus or lift, or lengthen it with rest days.
Alternative section near Landmannalaugar (2.8 km): an alternative to part of the main route.
Alternative section near Þórsmörk (2.7 km): an alternative to part of the main route.
Variants are shown as dotted purple lines on the map above, as mapped in OpenStreetMap. Some are harder or more exposed than the main route: check conditions locally before you pick one.

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Before you go

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.

Getting there

Flights to Reykjavík (KEF) 175 km from the start

Trains and buses to Reykjavík: Omio

Hire a car for the trailhead: DiscoverCars

Phone and data

Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.

Europe eSIM on Airalo

Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.

Insurance that covers this trek

Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.

Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.

World Nomads Heymondo SafetyWing True Traveller

True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.

Camping and where to sleep

Camp only at the designated campsites next to each hut. Wild camping along the route is not allowed.

Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.

Route map

Download GPX

Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.

Trail from OpenStreetMap (50.0 km) One colour per dayRoute variant Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city

Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.

Stops: Landmannalaugar → Þórsmörk

Simple overview map

Step by step

Months before
Plan and book
- Book huts or accommodation as soon as reservations open, starting with the busiest nights.
- Best time to go: Late June to early September.
6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
Readiness quiz · Packing list
Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Reykjavík.
On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
- In huts, boots stay in the boot room, dinner is served at a set time and lights go out around 10 pm.
- See the day-by-day plan below for distances, high points and where to sleep.
The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.

How the season changes things

Best time: Late June to early September

Late June to early July

Early season

Snow on high ground, high rivers from snowmelt and cold nights. Routes and huts may still be opening.

Bring

Gaiters and waterproof boots
Warm hat and gloves
Check route status before you go

Mid-July to mid-August

Peak season

The main window, with the best chance of dry weather, but conditions can still turn wintry.

Bring

Full waterproofs
Warm layers even in summer
River-crossing shoes

Late August to early September

Late season

Fewer people and darker nights, with storms becoming more frequent and huts starting to close.

Bring

Headlamp
Extra warm layers
Flexible plans for weather

Be ready for

River crossings

You'll ford rivers without bridges. Cross early in the day when levels are lower, unclip your hip belt, and use poles. Bring sandals or light shoes for crossing.

Trekking poles →