Hike the Highlands: Laugavegur Trail

7 days, 6 nights: July 11-17, 2012

This 7-day trip includes a 4-day hike along the most popular and possibly most spectacular trail in Iceland, Laugavegur (The Spring Road), which connects the areas of Landmannalaugar in the central highlands to Thorsmork (Þórsmörk) in the south. The route is 54 km long and passes through extremely diverse landscape: multi-colored rhyolite mountains, geothermal fields with erupting geysers, ice caves, sprawling sands, magnificent canyons, and ends in verdant birch forests. At its highest point, the trail is just over 1,000 meters above sea level.

This is truly a world-class hike.

During the trek, gear and food will be transported by 4x4 via an alternate route from hut to hut, so you need only hike with a day-pack. Prepare to be spoiled by our chefs as they prepare one gourmet meal after another!

Group size: 8–12 persons.

Program

Day 1, July 11: Welcome to Iceland!

Guests from N-America arrive in the early morning, guests from Europe in the afternoon. Check into your centrally located Reykjavik hotel and enjoy the day at leisure. We´ll assemble for a preparatory dinner at 7:00 PM to introduce ourselves and review the upcoming hike.

Day 2, July 12, Transfer to Landmannalaugar, hike to Hrafntinnusker

We depart your hotel at 8:00 AM and travel via private coach to the Icelandic highlands, arriving at the Landmannalaugar geothermal area by noon. Enjoy a picnic lunch and a short dip in one of the natural geothermal pools before beginning your hike to Hrafntinnusker. From the hut in Landmannalaugar, the trail proceeds through Laugahraun lava field, across the slopes of Mt. Brennisteinsalda (surely Iceland´s most colorful peak!), and onto the highland plateau. The view from here offers an incredible spectrum of colors. After 3-4 hours you arrive at Storihver, a hot spring and possibly the only green spot visible on our first day. Possible side trips at discretion of guide and depending on conditions that day. Overnight in geothermally heated mountain hut. Distance 12 km, estimated walking time 4-5 hours, elevation gain 470 meters.

Day 3, July 13, Hike to Lake Álftavatn

Start the day by exploring the Hrafntinnusker area. A run up to Mt. Sodull (1132 m) provides awesome views. After lunch, hike to lake Alftavatn with a possible side trip to Mt. Haskerdingur (1281 m), depending on visibility. The first part of the trail takes us through a valley with small ravines, which may be filled with snow. If visibility is good, a walk up to the top of mountain Háskerðingur (1281 m) will reward you with breathtaking views. Soon we leave the colorful rhyolite mountains behind and enter an area with dark palagonite mountains and glaciers. You will also notice a considerable increase in vegetation. The trail down the Jökultungur (Glacier Tongues) is rather steep but leads down to a friendly oasis on the banks of river Grashagakvísl a fine place to rest for a while. From there on the trail to the two huts by Lake Alftavatn (Swan Lake) is on flat land. There are two huts at Lake Alftavant (58 persons). Distance covered today 12 km, estimated walking time 4-5 hours, elevation decrease 490 m.

Day 4, July 14, Hike to Emstrur (Botnar)

The trail takes us over the ridge Bratthals into Hvanngil ravine, wading across the river Bratthálskvísl. There are two huts in Hvanngil, one built for sheepherders in 1963 and one for travelers, built in 1995. Not far from the huts, we come to the river Kaldaklofskvisl with a bridge for hikers. On the eastern bank of Kaldaklofskvisl, the trail branches, one branch leading eastwards to Mælifellssandur (Road F 210), while the other one heads south to Emstrur—we choose the latter. Less than 1 km from Kaldaklofskvisl another river has to be waded and approximately 4 km further we come to the river Nyrdri Emstrua, but this time there is a bridge to cross. Soon we will be overlooking the huts in Botnar (40 persons). A fine side-trip this evening is to Markarfljotsgljufur canyon. Distance 15 km, estimated walking time 6-7 hrs, elevation decrease 40 m.

Day 5, July 15, Hike to Þórsmörk (Thor´s Forest)

We proceed around the canyon of Syðri-Emstrur River, followed by a walk through the area known as Almenningar. After fording Thronga (Narrow River) a 30 minutes walk takes us by late afternoon to Langidalur (Long Valley) in Thorsmork. Throughout most of the day, we´ll enjoy views of Katla and Eyjafjallajokull volcanos. Landscape and vegetation change rapidly at this point. Birchwood and other greenery are a welcome change after the highland desert now behind us. One-hour later, we are delivered to our luxury hotel in the countryside, where a celebratory dinner awaits! Distance 15 km, estimated walking time 6-7 hrs, elevation decrease 300 m.

Day 6, July 16, Golden Circle

We depart our hotel at 9:00 AM and proceed along the Golden Circle Route back to Reykjavik. Our first stop is Gullfoss, considered by many to be Iceland´s most scenic waterfall. Then it´s on to Geysir, the erupting hot spring that gave its name to the phenomenon worldwide. At noon, we´ll stop at Iceland´s newest geothermal spa, Fontana at Lake Laugarvatn, where those who wish may spend an hour in the multiple hot pools and steam rooms -- surely a welcome relief after 4 days of hiking! After lunch, we´ll continue on to Thingvellir (Þingvellir), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the location of Iceland´s Parliament between the years 903 A.D. and 1798. It is also one of the few places in the world where you can see the effects of tectonic plate separation, clearly visible in the great Almannagja or Everyman´s Gorge. Check into your hotel in Reykjavik by late afternoon. Dinner on your own this evening.

Day 7, July 17, Day of Departure

Travelers to Europe depart in the early morning. Flights to N-America depart in the afternoon.

Please let us know if you would like to extend your stay in Iceland; we would be happy to help you organize additional days in Reykjavik or the countryside.

Terms

Included

• Expert, English-speaking guide for 6 days.

• Transfers to and from trailhead in private bus.

• Driver and 4x4 truck to transport gear and supplies between huts during hike.

• Dedicated chef for 4 days during hike.

• Two nights' hotel accommodation in Reykjavík.

• One night's hotel accommodation in countryside.

• Three nights' accommodation in mountain huts –- shared bunks in dormitories.

• Breakfast on days 2-7; lunch on days 2-6; dinner on days 1-5; snacks on days 2-6.

• Admission to geothermal spa on day 6.
• Recommended gear list and other preparatory materials.

Not Included

• Airfare to Iceland.
• Airport transfers.
• Personal expenses.
• Wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages.

Price

• ISK 325,000 per person or approximately $2,850.00 USD or €2,075.00 EUR based on current exchange rates. This assumes double-occupancy rooms at hotels. Single room accommodations may require supplement.

For information, availability and bookings

Please send us a note at or call us at +354 857 8804.