Laugavegur Trail

The Laugavegur Trail 

35 miles | 56 km | 5,611 ft | 1,710 m climb | 4 days (Plus 2 day hikes at the beginning and end)

Itinerary

Day 0: Arrive in Landmannalaugar

Day 1: Landmannalaugar to Hfafntinnusker | 6.6 miles | 10.7 km | 532 m | 1,750 ft gain

Day 2: Hfafntinnusker to Alftavatn | 6.9 miles | 11.1 km | 100 m | 330 ft gain

Day 3: Alftavatn to Emstrur-Botnar |10.6 miles | 16.5 km | 170 m | 560 ft gain

Day 4:  Emstrur-Botnar to Porsmork-Langidalur | 10.3 miles | 16.6 km | 336 m |1,100 ft gain

Bonus Day: Explore Porsmork

Day 0: Arrive in Landmannalaugar | June 22, 2024

We arrived a day before the start to the hike and took in all Landmannalaugar had to offer.  We saw the colors of the rhyolite hiking up to Bláhnjúkur, and spent the evening relaxing in the hot spring before a busy and warm night in the hut. 

Note: The mountain mall was not open when we arrived.  It looks like it opens later in the season.

For early season hikes, it was relieving to see the snow melt on the web cam just days before our hike as we were waiting to here that the road was open. You can check road conditions on the iceland road site.  Usually the 208 and F224 to Landmannalaugar road opens around mid June. 

Day 1: Landmannalaugar to Hfafntinnusker | June 23, 2024

The hike to Hfafntinnusker started with walking through lava fields and past geothermic features.  Climbing up, we soon hit the snow and continued to climb up and down snow paths the rest of the trek. As we got closer to Hfafntinnusker we were hiking on snowy cold paths and the wind and were grateful for the left turn and decent to the warm hut.  

6.6 miles | 10.7 km | 532 m | 1,750 ft gain

Day 2: Hfafntinnusker to Alftavatn | June 24, 2024

6.9 miles | 11.1 km | 100 m | 330 ft gain

The day was an incredible day mostly descending from Hfafntinnusker Hut to the lake.  We crossed many snow bridges, and the landscape looks much different in the early season.  The weather changed every 30 minutes, and after and hail and wind storm, we had a magnificent view of the valley we came from.  Soon the view opened up ahead of us to the valley and the Alftavatn lake. There was every shade of green and our first river crossing - a helpful rope to hold on to when you follow the trail down.  

Note: The restaurant was not open when we arrived.  It looks like it opens later in July.

Day 3: Alftavain to Emstrur-Botnar | June 25, 2024

10.6 miles | 16.5 km | 170 m | 560 ft gain

We started off in high spirits with stunning volcanic cones to follow towards the Hvanngil Hut.  After the river crossings, and waterfalls, we mentally struggled on the never ending basalt plains in the wind and rain, but with a song to sing along to and sunshine every once in a while we made it through.  On the trail close to the hut you can turn left to go to the hut or right for a side hike to the canyon - we heard it was incredible but were eager to dry off, drink our hydration tabs in hot water,  and play cards with travellers from around the world in the hut.

Day 4:  Emstrur-Botnar to Porsmork-Langidalur | June 26, 2024

10.3 miles | 16.6 km | 336 m |1,100 ft gain

We had almost a full day of sun for the last day of the hike.  Stunning views of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier over the Katla volcano , and a last river crossing followed by a walk through the trees to the hut. We had cold beers to celebrate at the ranger station and were treated to a delicious pasta dinner from a tour with extras in the hut. 

Bonus Day: Explore Porsmork | June 27, 2024

2.6 miles | 4.6 km | 276 m | 900 ft

With a few hours until our afternoon bus to Reykjavík, we hiked up Valahnúkur for a panoramic view of the valley, glaciers, and braided river. It is a decent climb up from the Langidalur hut (Ferðafélag Íslands) hut and a steep climb down to the Volcano huts for lunch. From there it's a easy hike back to the  Langidalur hut for the bus pick up.  This was one of the most stunning views on the whole trail.