Day 1: Landmannalaugar to Hvangill (15.5 miles). We absolutely love these packable, effective, super lightweight Outdoor Research jackets. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "tmbtent-20"; Just before reaching Álftavatn you’ll cross the  Grashagakvísl River, which does not have a bridge (requiring you to walk through it). Take your time and enjoy the steadily changing landscape before reaching the end of the Fimmvörðuháls Trail at the awe inspiring Skogafoss Waterfall! Note before reading: I ended up hiking the full Laugavegur trail (Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork) and the Fimmvorduhals trail (Thorsmork to Skogar) – a total of 82 kilometers – in two days. There are options to camp or enjoy the comfort of Iceland’s wonderful huts. Frequently Asked Questions page on the Laugavegur Trail huts here, Reykjavik Excursions’ Iceland on Your Own Hiker’s Pass, This post explains how to set your phone up to work as a GPS for the Laugavegur Trail.Â, Marmot’s comfortable, flexible Precip pant. Also, you’ll want to bring a pair of sturdy sandals or other water shoes to make these crossing. Rain and wind is not uncommon. The scenery along Fimmvörðuháls is varied. Laugavegur trail & Fimmvörðuháls pass The classical route. Furthermore, if things get soaked in a heavy rain (such as base layers or your sleeping bag), it will be hard to get them dry again for the remainder of your trek. Continue on, enjoying the spectacular views on the trail before beginning the long-descent to Álftavatn. The Ultimate Guide to the Walker's Haute Route, Complete packing list for campers and those staying in huts, Detailed information on getting to/from the Laugavegur, A 15-week training plan to ensure you’re prepared for your hike. Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail is extremely popular and during the last few years it has become even more so. We saw several dozen hikers traveling northbound each day while we were out there. Fimmvörðuháls is more athletic as the climb is more steep. If you’re planning to stay in the huts along the Laugavegur Trail advance bookings are essential as the huts fill up quickly! Even with a paper map, we highly recommend utilizing an offline GPS navigation application like Gaia GPS or Maps.me on your smartphone. If you want more, a 16-18 km hike from Thorsmork to Fimmvorduhals is a great addition to the Laugavegur trail. She quit her full-time job in 2016 (she was previously a professional Astronomer and then an eLearning/Learning Spaces expert for Universities) and has been travelling the world ever since. One of the most famous hiking trails in Iceland, the Fimmvorduhals hike is a legendary trail that passes between two giant glaciers, the Eyjafjallajökull glacier and the Mýrdalsjökull glacier.The Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail takes you through almost every landscape Iceland has to offer in just a single day. Enjoy the spectacular view from the hut and be glad you’re not camping in this harsh location! Be sure to study the elevation profile before deciding to walk from south to north! If you plan on sleeping in the huts, you’ll want to be prepared for the. Review of Laugavegur. Campers are allowed to use the toilet and shower facilities at the huts, but not the kitchen or any of the internal living areas. Several bus companies offer scheduled bus fares to Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk during summertime, for example Trex, Kynnisferðir and Sterna. It is one of the most famous hikes in Iceland. Fimmvörðuháls is a 16-mile long trail between Þórsmörk and Skógar. Ferðafélag Íslands publishes a very helpful Frequently Asked Questions page on the Laugavegur Trail huts here. The Laugavegur Trail is not a difficult hike and is clearly marked, making it a great introduction to multi-day hiking in Iceland or for your first solo hike. There are several factors that impact the challenge of this hike, including the distance covered in each day (see our itineraries for more on this), the weight of your backpack (it will be much larger if you choose to camp), the direction you hike in (there is significantly more uphill walking if you trek from south to north), and the weather and trail conditions. Add in these two things and we promise you’ll sleep much more soundly!Â. For the complete list of what to pack for the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls Trails be sure to check out our full packing/kit list here. However, storms, snow cover, fog, and other issues can make it frighteningly easy to lose your way. Just get the right clothes and footwear and break it in before you hit the road. We hiked from Laugavegur (Landmannalaguar) to Fimmvorouhals pass over 4 nights and 5 days. A soak in the hot springs at Landmannalaugar is a must! amzn_assoc_asins = "B012RQBWF6"; We hiked the Laugavegur from north to south and we’d certainly recommend traveling in this direction if you want to avoid some very long climbs and increase the chances of having the wind at your back.  If you decide to walk from south to north, expect a more challenging trek and plan for longer days on the trail. Day 2: Hrafntinnusker – Álftavatn. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; No matter when you go, expect cold, wet, and windy conditions for a least some parts of your trek and pack accordingly. There is a network of mountain huts along the trail that provide walkers with stopping points at regular intervals. Upon leaving Þórsmörk you’ll quickly have a river-crossing to navigate. As you near Emstrur you’ll have the option to take a quick loop trail to view the beautiful canyon formed at the confluence of the Markarfljót and Syðri-Emstruá Rivers – a highly recommended detour! He had some WEATHER. Pick your digital guide for under $20 below: A helpful trail sign near a difficult section of the Fimmvörðuháls. We have found that these two small things make a huge difference when it comes to getting a good night’s rest. The campsites do not require any advance reservations and cost 2,000 ISK per night. For a great pair of rain pants (that are also excellent for wearing around camp), we recommend Marmot’s comfortable, flexible Precip pant. The Laugavegur Trail is relatively well-marked. For every nature-loving hiker the tour is in some luck with the weather an absolute must and an unforgettable experience. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; There is another river crossing at this point, so be prepared to get your feet wet. You’ll continue upwards and the landscape will begin to change from the lush green hills to a barren, volcanic landscape. The Laugavegur Trail offers the best of Icelandic trekking. Challenging Trail With Stunning Views The Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail (24 - 30 km) between Skógar and Þórsmörk is one of the most traversed trails in Iceland and offers a challenging trek in versatile terrain, with beautiful views over the South Coast of Iceland and the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve. amzn_assoc_asins = "B07G1MWHNR"; The Laugavegur Trail is the most popular multi-day hike in Iceland, and for good reason! Sleeping arrangements are in dormitories with mattresses laid out side by side on a platform so you need to bring your own sleeping bag. Regardless of whether you are camping or staying in the huts, you need to bring all your own food with you (the outdoor adventure company will take care of this for you if you are doing the trek guided). Walk Through Fire and Ice. At around the half-way point you’ll arrive at the Baldvinsskáli Hut, where you can stay if you’d like to break the Fimmvörðuháls into two days. Therefore, you’re going to want warm layers that are comfortable and lightweight. Costs: The cost of this trek depends on how you plan to undertake it. We always recommend camping as it provides an added layer of flexibility and an escape from the sometimes crowded huts! amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; BestHike.com editor Rick McCharles did the most famous trail in Iceland solo a week after hernia surgery. Laugavegur Trail Photo Gallery: Get inspired! From here, you’ll continue down the trail to a final river crossing before reaching the well-maintained hut and campground at Þórsmörk and the end of the Laugavegur Trail! amzn_assoc_asins = "B00GOAOK7Y"; amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; After about three kilometres walk you have reached the lava field (Goðahraun) which was formed during the volcanic eruption in spring 2010. Good quality sleep can be hard to come by on the trail, especially with 24 hours of daylight, but it is vital for ensuring your body recovers after long days of trekking. All of them have toilet facilities and some have shower facilities available for an extra fee, but there is no internet and nowhere to charge devices. It’s one of our all-time favorite pieces of backpacking gear. Closest Major City: Reykjavik, Iceland. Once across, you’ll wind your way up steadily with plenty of excellent views. Get up early and prepare for a long, but lovely day on the trail! Starting off in Landmannalaugar, we combine these two epic trails for 7 glorious days trekking through multi-colored hills, black sands and verdurous valleys that show off the true spirit of Iceland. If you are hiking independently, you need to purchase all food and gas for your hike in Reykjavik as there are only snacks available at Landmannalaugar. Please note that you must camp in the designated campsites! In the evenings, you will relax and rejuvenate in cozy mountain huts and enjoy delicious Icelandic meals. The easiest way to stay up to date on the weather is to talk to the wardens at the huts. Trail signs are located at all major junctions and intervals, with distances to the next hut provided in kilometers. Emily was our excellent guide. If you’re sleeping in the huts (which are heated), you can bring a lighter bag (30°F), but you’ll still need to bring your own bag as there is no bedding provided.Â. Day 2: Hvangill to Þórsmörk (17.5 miles). Day 6 of the Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls trek was the one that everyone was worried about. This 55 km long trail lies between Landmannalaugar and Thórsmörk. Take your time here and enjoy the beauty surrounding you! You absolutely need to wear sturdy shoes when crossing- no flip flops or bare feet! In clear conditions, it is easy to navigate along the trail. You’ll have the option of completing the Fimmvörðuháls Trail in a single day, or overnighting at one of the huts along the trail. Whether you are camping or staying in the huts, The Laugavegur Trail is one of the rare, wonderful places in the world where. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; Day 1: Bus transfer from Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar – hike to Hrafntinnusker Hut. All of the huts along the Laugavegur Trail cost 9,000 ISK per night, while the Fimmvörðuháls / Baldvinsskáli hut costs 7,000 ISK per night. we swear by these Mack’s silicone ones. This moderately paced itinerary will be best for the majority of walkers. Being too cold to sleep. Embark on an adventure that effortlessly combines the true spirit of this part of the country. The hike begins at Landmannalaugar – an intensely geothermal area surrounded by colourful rhyolite mountains, old lava flows, bubbling pools of mud and water, and the characteristic bright green moss of Iceland. In terms of ear plugs, we swear by these Mack’s silicone ones. How Much it Cost Us to Hike the Laugavegur Trail – Make it work for your budget! The hiking is relatively easy along a well-established trail for the most part, though if the weather is particularly bad (it is Iceland remember) it may add a little challenge. Even in the Summer, you should bring several layers of clothing with you, including a base layer, mid-layer and a quality waterproof/windproof complete outer layer. Fimmvörðuháls is a 2-day extension of the Laugavegur trail that adds even more variety into the mix. Make sure you bring enough batteries! After hiking over the fascinating terrain across Fimmvörðuháls, you will end the trek at the popular Skógarfoss waterfall. River Crossings: You will encounter several river crossings along the Laugavegur Trail. Leaving Emstrur, you’ll enjoy a nice trail with a spectacular crossing of the Syðri-Emstruá River gorge. One thing to watch out for is Iceland’s notoriously changeable weather! We booked all the accommodation in January and a lot of it was already selling out, because of this we had to hike the … The huts typically close for the season by the second week of September.Â. This eventually gives way to the black volcanic desert of Mælifellssandur where the wonderful views of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier begin. Make sure to always check with the hut wardens for the latest conditions and never attempt to hike through unsafe weather.Â, June: This is considered “early summer” in Iceland, meaning there will typically be a significant amount of snow remaining on the trail. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "tmbtent-20"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B06W2N7G1L"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls Trek to Porsmork. Iceland’s Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls Trek Itinerary. 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