World → Europe → Iceland → Laugavegur
One of the best hikes in the world is the
Laugavegur
(Landmannalaugar to Skógar route)
The main shopping street in Reykjavík is also called Laugavegur. Both can be very busy. It’s the most famous trail in Iceland by far.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (4min)
AT A GLANCE
Iceland‘s best hike- weird and wonderful landscapes
- best route is Landmannalaugar – Skógar 77km (48mi) in 3-6 days in either direction. That’s combining the Laugavegur 55km (34mi) with the Fimmvörðuháls route.
- high water can stop hikers (and vehicles). Bring shoes for river crossings.
- sleep in huts or tent
- do it guided or independently
- permits not required
- steep rough, rocky and slippery slopes. Snow, sleet, mud likely. Jagged lava fields.
- in perfect weather, this trek is only moderately difficult. The weather is never perfect.
- around 100 hikers start each day during high season July and August
- both June and September are risky. Rivers may be impassable until late June. Bus transportation and huts may close as early as Sept. 11th.
Why We Like This Hike
- gorgeous, astonishing colours
- otherworldly vistas
- hot springs and thermal vents
- NEW (2017) restaurant at the Alftavatn Hut in the middle of the trail
- hut wardens take care of guests and are keen to give information and first aid even to those in tents
- trail is well marked with wooden posts
- logistics are relatively easy
- wonderful day hiking out of Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk
- side trips to climb volcanic features
Click PLAY or watch some drone footage on YouTube.
Considerations
- be prepared for rain, rain, rain and fog
- non-bridged river crossings
One of your biggest gear decisions is what footwear you bring for river crossings. Rick McCharles hikes in approach shoes. Crosses rivers and walks other wet areas in trail runners and neoprene booties.
- be prepared for long snow fields. A few days each year they turn to slush.
- hypothermia can kill. Bring proper clothing and waterproofs.
- sudden changes in weather that can occur in any season. heavy winds, dark fog or even snowstorm
- May 1970 three hikers died in a snowstorm on the Fimmvörðuháls section. End of June 2004, hiker Ido Keinan died just one km from the Hrafntinnusker hut.
- be prepared for anything
- there may be swarms of flying insects, though most don’t bite. Normally it’s so windy that the bugs are not a pest.
- tents need to be wind and weatherproof with good tie downs
- a large pack waterproof liner is recommended as is a pack cover that won’t fly off in high wind
- Compass recommended. Maps can be bought in book shops and petrol stations.
- GPS is also recommended in case of zero visibility on the trail. Coordinates can be found at the huts.
- huts usually open around June 25th and close early / mid September. Weather conditions and snow melt can change those dates. If guided groups book, the hut may stay open longer in the season. Wardens often don’t know what there last day will be.
- Meals are not available in most huts. But small shops MIGHT be open in high season. Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk are the most developed campsites.
- huts have shared kitchen with stoves, pots, pans and cutlery
- running cold water
- gas heaters, at times
- some offer 4 minute showers for $5
- flush toilets at most campsites
- no pillows, blankets or bed linen available. You need your own sleeping bag.
- those tenting can use most facilities, aside from hut kitchens
- stay on the main trails as much as possible, this landscape is vulnerable to overuse
- obviously, all water sensitive items must be kept in waterproof bags
- if you can handle the weight, bring a tent as a back-up alternative to the huts
- the 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull disrupted hiking, but everything is back to normal
Cost
Credit cards accepted out in the wilds of Iceland. You might not need cash.
Laugavegurinn is maintained and serviced by Ferðafélag Íslands (FÍ), the Iceland Touring Association (www.fi.is).
Limited accommodation is offered in huts (reservations necessary) or in campsites (reservations not needed) near the huts. Wild camping is not allowed within the nature reserves.
- hut bunkbeds cost about cost about $90 / person / night (2018)
- tenting outside the huts costs about $25 / person / night (2018)
If there is space in a hut, tenters could grab a spot last minute, payable by credit card or cash.
Bus Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar is about $90 (2023).
There are three bus operators: Reykjavik Excursions, Trex, and South Coast.
Bus Reykjavik to Reykjavik Skógar is about $60 (2023). It a much better and busier road. Some try to hitchhike that section.
Routes
Most hikers are coming to and from Reykjavik. Most do a lollypop loop to and from the trailheads.
Most take a bus from Reykjavik to start. Three main choices:
- Landmannalaugar (northernmost)
- Thórsmörk (Icelandic: Þórsmörk)
- Skógar (southernmost on highway)
The best hike is Skógar to Landmannalaugar either south to north, or north to south. 77km (48mi) in 4-6 days. Logistics are easier north to south.
Click PLAY or watch a graphic flyover on YouTube.
If you have less time, do just Thórsmörk to Landmannalaugar in either direction. That’s the classic Laugavegur trek 55km (34mi) in 2–4 days..
If you have even less time, do just Skógar to Thórsmörk in either direction. That’s the Fimmvörðuháls route. 22km (13.6mi) in 1-2 days, over 1000m elevation change. Though some feel it’s the most challenging section, many do it as a day hike during good weather.
Deciding which direction to hike may depend on your transportation logistics. Easiest place to find a ride is Skógar on the ring road highway, therefore it’s safest to finish there. Bad weather sometimes stops buses from getting to the other two trailheads. ☹️
The bus schedule is posted on the toilet in Skógar if you’ve not written it down in advance.
We like the longest option, taking the bus Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar to start.
If you want to stay in huts, you’ll need to book those well in advance. Here’s one popular itinerary finishing in Thórsmörk:
Day 1: Landmannalaugar – Hrafntinnusker Hut 12km, 4-5hrs
Elevation 470m
Day 2: Hrafntinnusker – Álftavatn Hut 12km, 4-5hrs
Elevation 490m
Day 3: Álftavatn – Emstrur (Botnar) 15km, 6-7hrs
Elevation decrease: 40m
Day 4: Emstrur (Botnar) – Þórsmörk (Volcano Hut) 15km, 6-7hrs
Elevation: 300m
From Thórsmörk you can bus out. Or do the extra 1-2 days to Skógar.
Day 5 : Thórsmörk – Fimmvorduhals hut … or on out to Skógar where tenting and a hostel is available near the highway.
You can make your reservations here: Laugavegur Trail Hut Reservations.
We prefer to tent. That way no reservations are needed. We’ll stop where we want when we want, depending on the weather and our energy level. Allow extra days, just in case. We were held up one day by storm warnings in 2018.
Camping cost about $25 / person / night in 2023.
Take the bus back to Reykjavik from Skógar. There’s plenty of traffic on the highway. You may be able to find someone willing to drive stinky hikers back to town. If not, buy a ticket on the bus.
It’s a good idea to camp or stay at the Skógar HI Hostel overnight — to be able to visit the famous falls with fewer other tourists.
If all that sounds too complicated, consider signing on with a trekking guide.
Trekking Guides
Many carry very heavy packs on this adventure.
But you can hike with a light day pack if you hire the right guide. They’ll transport your pack day-by-day, hut to hut.
- Icelandic Mountain Guides (expensive)
- X-plore
- Nordic Adventure Travel
- Utivist (72,000 ISK or $540 for 5 days in 2015)
- Iceland Tours
- Volcano Huts (68,500 ISK or $514 for 4- 5 days in 2015)
- Trek Iceland
- Landmannalaugar.net – Laugavegur trekking and Fimmvorduhals
Logistics
If you’ve signed on with a guide, let them take care of the logistics. This section is for independent hikers.
Flying to and from Iceland in the hiking season has been expensive. But WOW Air started a new discount service, putting pressure on the others.
We recommend tenting and hostels. If you are only doing the Laugavegur, however, you won’t need a rental vehicle.
Local Information
- Ferðafélag Íslands (FÍ), Iceland Touring Association – Laugavegurinn
Best Trekking Guidebooks
- Laugavegurinn – the Laugavegur hiking trail, a booklet by Ferðafélag Íslands, is available in Iceland. And is for sale at each hut. That should be enough for most hikers to survive.
- Cicerone Walking and Trekking in Iceland 2013 by Paddy Dillon
- Iceland – The Southern Highlands by Uwe Grunewald
- The Laugavegur Trail: A Hiking Companion to Iceland’s Famous Trek 2014 by Brian W Zimmer
In 2018 we used the excellent Brian Zimmer book. We downloaded it to phone and read from the Kindle app.
If you are doing more hiking in Iceland, get the Cicerone, a very respected company
Best Travel Guidebooks
Be sure you get the most up-to-date edition.
Other Recommended Books
- Iceland (Insight Guides) 2014
- Top 10 Iceland 2014
- Iceland: Land of the Sagas 1998 by Jon Krakauer and David Roberts
Best Maps
- Landmannalaugar, Porsmork, and Fjallabak Hiking Map by Mal Og Mennig
Best Web Pages
- TMBtent – The Complete Guide to the Laugavegur Trail | Map, Routes, and Itineraries (and app)
- LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL HIKING GUIDE
- wikipedia – Landmannalaugar
- tripadvisor reviews
Best Trip Reports
- besthike editor Rick McCharles Laugevagur YOYO (Sept. 2023)
- Northern Adventures – Fimmvörðuháls & Laugavegurinn
- besthike editor Rick McCharles Laugevagur (Aug. 2018)
- Andrew Skurka – About the Laugavegur
- David Leffman – Extreme hiking in Iceland: the Laugavegur trail 2013
- Without Baggage – Mission Iceland: A Tale of Two Brothers
- The Hiking Life – Skogar-Landmannalauger 2000
- Jennifer Pharr Davis – Dream Trip: Hike Laugavegurinn Trail
Movies
Click PLAY or watch Harmen Hoek (2023) on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch Kraig Adams 2022 on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch Alastair Humphrey’s highlights on Vimeo.
Questions? Suggestions? Leave a comment on this page. Our editors will reply.
besthike.com 
Thanks for the info. We loved this hike. My daughter and I just finished it and made a video, so you can see the trail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2P9rlD7TSE&feature=youtu.be
I’m planning on walking the Laugavegur, and then to Skogar, the second week of September. What side hikes would you recommend if I were to stay one or two additional days at one or two of the huts? I was planning on staying one extra day at Landmannalaugar, but the hut is full and I can only stay one day. You mention the ice caves. Where are they located? Thanks in advance.
Sorry David. We haven’t done the trek as yet.
You’ll have to keep searching the internet to answer those questions.
Hey David, I’m doing the trek on the second week of September as well! When are you starting the trail? I start on the 9th but plan on camping in Landmannalaugar the night before hoping to do some short hikes. I believe that each hut there should have info about day treks in the area, at least that’s what I read on my guide book.
Hi, Great write up. I’m just wondering what weight you got your kit down to if you tented along the route? It seems including food, kit could be quite weighty.
Great article -thank you!
On your map, showing the hut locations, there’s a spot called ‘Hut’ located between Porsmork and Skógar. What hut is this? In understand that the 3 hut options (Langidar, Husadalur and Basar) are all located close to Porsmork.
Thanks.
Good question. I recall passing a hut up there in good weather. But I’m not sure it’s actively in use. It may be some kind of emergency shelter.
Hi there, this info is very helpful! We are planning to hike the Laugavegur from Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork from 6/22/16 – 6/26/16. We’ve reached out to reserve the appropriate huts but it came to our attention that it is unclear as to when the huts will open each year. How far in advance will it be determined if the huts will be available? And, how do you pay in person once you reach the hut or in advance? We’d like to know when we’ll need a plan B in terms of an alternate trek to do while in Iceland during this time of year.
Hi there, this info is very helpful! We are planning to hike the Laugavegur from Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork from 6/22/16 – 6/26/16. We’ve reached out to reserve the appropriate huts but it came to our attention that it is unclear as to when the huts will open each year. How far in advance will it be determined if the huts will be available? And, how do you pay in person once you reach the hut or in advance? We’d like to know when we’ll need a plan B in terms of an alternate trek to do while in Iceland during this time of year.
My one attempt to do the hike in June was unsuccessful. Still too snowy and muddy.
But I spoke with the #2 and #3 hikers to get through. They said it was a disaster.
June is risky.
One more Question, Is wildcamping forbidden along all the trail, or just some parts of the trail? we like to have our own camp with some mates.
Thank you
Wild camping?
Whether allowed or not, I usually wild camp. Discretely. Out of sight.
Should be no problem in that terrain.
Hi, we are planning the trail in june aswell, we want to start the 25th. Why is june risky? just because its though? or is it really dangerous?
There may be too much snow and mud. I was there in June and decided not to go after listening to two of the first three that made it.
Thanks a lot for all the information, we were able to hike from landmannalaugar to skogar in only 4 days due to the good weather. What a mighty beautiful trail, really, it made us different people in a lot of ways, thank you very much
It is really one of the best hikes in the world. Here is link to video channel: trip to Iceland in 2014 (4 days hiking videos – with english subtitles)
Thanks Orest.
Hi Orest,
Is there a camping supply store on the start of the Landmannalaugar trail head? Id like to purchase propane? Also how did you fill up your water bottle?
im planing to go to iceland on october
will this trek be open?
October is risky, I think. But I’m not sure whether or not it is officially open.
Hi there, this information is super useful, thanks so much! I was hoping you could help me with the the following:
– if you don’t have a reservation for a hut, are there any kitchen facilities?
– what kind of food do you bring along the way? Is there fresh water available widely?
– what’s the temperature like at night?
thanks again!
there is actually a new hut on Laugavegur if you like staying in a hut, it is a very cosy hut 🙂 http://laugavegur-hiking.is/en/
It seems this link no longer works: https://www.jimmyg.org/life/holiday/iceland-2009.html
Thanks Cecilia. Looks like Jimmy’s taken that down.
Our plan is to hike from Landmannalaugar to Hvanngil on day one and from Hvanngil to Thorsmork Volcano Huts on the second day. We know this is about 16 miles (27k) per day. Is this crazy, or will it work out okay? Our planned dates are the last week in June.
Also, we were going to drive from Reyjkavik and pick up the bus to Landmannalaugar somewhere along the way. Where is the best place to meet the bus along the way between Reyjkavik and Landmannalaugar? We thought perhaps Hella, but the bus route looks like perhaps it would make more sense to leave from Selfoss if the bus heads north from there to get to Landmannalaugar. Thanks!
Any idea where to get decent 4 season tents that arent too costly? Everything I find is $300+ and out of my budget…im going in august
Psyched to be doing the route in August, been planning for a couple of years. How critical are walking poles? Should I consider this optional, or are they a must to bring along? Any other tips on things to bring (or not) highly encouraged. I do have hut reservations. Cheers!
Hey! When are you going in August? I plan on going as well
Walking poles are useful, but they are not critical. I saw some hikers without trekking poles.
Great, thanks Cecilia. I went ahead an bought some for the trek.
We will be doing this route in August in a tent. Should we bring a safe food container or are we allowed to leave our food in the hut during the night? Thank you!
Hi,
here is the video from a recent hike (end of june 2017) to show the beauty of the trail:
we really enjoyed 🙂
Beautiful.
I went myself in June … but was unable to do the trail. Too wet and snowy.
Next time.
Going august 10 to the 20th…gonna pick 5 days when the weather looks decent and just go for it. Any recommendations what kind of pants to get? I have rain pants, is that enough to protect against the environment?
Yes, I took rain pants and was more than enough.
I love that commentary is beginning to flow from folk heading out to the trailhead…. I’m planning to hike from Laugavegur to Skogar beginning on Wednesday, August 16th. I’m a little nervous about the elements, but have booked huts along the way, and am packing good gear and clothes. Any votes of confidence, even better tips, super appreciated. I have been hiking around the Cascades for the past several weeks with a 30 lb pack, just to get in shape and practice…
Hi guys, just wanted to let everyone know that the Volcano Huts have opened up a restaurant at the Alftavatn Hut in the middle of the trail. There you can get breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks along with basic provisions for the trek ahead.
Great news. Thanks.
Assuming catholes are a go on the trail or are human waste bags required for packing out? Do you suggest bringing water filtration system for between huts if need be?
Hey, did the hike last week…i brought a water filter and purifying tablets with me just in case i needed it…on the trip from porsmark to skogar we used the filter cause the water was a bit ashy from the mountains. Pretty sure the water is safe to drink if its moving and clear but it was my first time there, so i didnt wanna take any chances.
Hey Christos, wonderful. How was the weather? Sadly I was unable to make the trek, but am looking towards next summer now.
When they say be ready for rain, be ready for it haha. But we got blessed with really really good weather overall. Only weather issues was on the way to Emtrur was the only time we hit bad weather for a few hours.
Fantastic. How was the section from Porsmork to Skogar? More challenging than the rest? Did you do that all in a single day, or break it into two?
Hi Christos- How was the section from Porsmork to Skogar? More challenging than the rest? Did you do that all in a single day, or break it into two?
We did in one day and completed it in about 10 hours. It was the hardest out of all the hikes, because its so long and is very steep in some spots.
Thanks for the feedback. Is it on a whole other skill level than the other parts of the hike, or what would you advise in deciding to continue on with that segment of the trek?
Its almost a year later that im responding to this because i never saw the notification come in…i think it was definitely harder than all the other sections. If my memory serves me correctly, i think it was one of the hardest sections because the incline was really steep. Also some sections are really boring and feeling like you have been hike for days with no end in sight, but its worth it. It definitely possible, just will take a long time and very grueling. You will want to give up, but the views and feeling of accomplishment are second to none.
Hello Christos,
Thanks for your response to my 2017 question!
Sadly, I had to cancel my Laugavegur trek last year, so to this point I don’t have my own experience to comment on. I’m hoping that I’ll get another shot at this trip in a couple of years.
I can tell you what I concluded in planning for the expedition. I was able to cancel the reservation, but I advance booked a hut spot halfway between Porsmork and Skogar, on the ridge before the descent to Skogar. Simply no room to camp on the ridge I learned, so a a hut reservation was going to be the only way to overnight this. I decided that as someone in good shape, but with little recent backpacking experience, that I would break that section of the trek into two days. Based on your feedback, it does sound pretty challenging.
Was bummed to miss the chance to do Laugavegur this time last year, but wanted to post this so others can chime in and have a point of reference for their own expedition plans.
Christos, I don’t know if you passed by either of the two huts (reservations available on two different websites for each hut respectively), but perhaps based on your experience you can comment on the logic of an overnight stay to break Porsmork to Skogar into two days of trekking.
Stuart
Didnt know they had a hut between porsmark and skogar…I just sucked it up and pushed through, but it was on a really good day where we didnt get touched by a drizzle…to be honest, this was my first ever trek and i was in ok shape, over weight, but i was able to carry my load for miles…this hike could be done in a day, about 12 hours but it wont easy whether you break into one or two days but def possible
Yes, I needed to do a Google search to remember the name of the hut options, and found someone’s comment / inquiry on TripAdvisor regarding the two options:
“From reading about the trail I see that there is the Fimmvörðuskáli hut which can be reserved online through Utivist but I have also read about the Baldvinsskáli which was recently rebuilt.”
Here’s the Trip Advisor post: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g3676471-i29326-k7272790-Huts_on_the_Fimmvorouhals_trail_from_Skogar_to_Porsmork-South_Region.html
Very informative and adding to list! Thanks for sharing!
anyone experience with the laugavegur trek from Landmannalaugar to Porsmork with only one night in Alfavatn? in good shape but no experience at all… reason is n more hut avaialable at Hrafninnusker nor in Emstrur
Hi there Griet, it is a stretch but totally doable especially since the Volcano Huts opened up the restaurant at the Alftavatn hut. You should try to carry as little as possible but take caution and prepare for any kind of weather. Check out the Volcano Huts online guide about the Laugavegur trail here https://blog.volcanohuts.com/laugavegur-hiking-trail-the-ultimate-guide and feel free to contact us for any further advice.
Bjarni Freyr
Hey Bjarni
thanks for your reply! finally -thanks to your suggestion- we will stay overnight at Landmannalaugar/ Alfavatn and Porsmork only. Hope it will work out, we’ll prepare to a though hike, but hope for the best…. anyway in this way we’ll avoid to take tents etc. and it leaves us some more time to see some more of Iceland the following days. IF you have any suggestions, feel welcome!
kind regards
Griet;