Duration: 4 days

Transfer to Landmannalaugar and Trek to Hrafntinnusker (Walking time: 4-5 hr)

You will be picked up in Reykjavik in the early morning and transfer to Landmannalaugar. The drive will take about 3-4 hours, first of all along the south coast and then up into the highlands where we will spend the next few days. The journey itself is fascinating and scenic, taking us by the magnificent volcano mountain, Hekla, the most active volcano in Iceland. This volcano, said by many Europeans in the Middle Ages to be ‘The Gateway to Hell’ has erupted every 10 – 15 years throughout the last century. Landmannalaugar is where we will start the Laugavegur trail which will take us through incredibly varied landscapes all the way to Þórsmörk (Thorsmork), a tender green valley with Arctic birch forests. We will hike through the geothermal wonders which make this area so remarkable, admiring the incredibly vibrant colours of the rhyolite mountains and the steaming hot springs. The sights include Mount Brennisteinsalda, the most colourful mountain in Iceland. On the way to Hrafntinnusker where we will spend the first night, we will see the Stórihver (meaning large spring) hot spring before crossing over into the obsidian desert, the flinty raven blackness of this area inspired the name, Hrafntinnusker, in Icelandic Hrafn means raven. The Hrafntinnusker Mountain hut where we will spend the night is in a very remote area of outstanding natural beauty. We enjoy a delicious dinner, get to know one another better and relax in the beauty and peace of nature.

Meals: L, D

The second day of your trek in Iceland begins with a nourishing breakfast before we set off hiking once again. The vibrantly coloured Reykjafjöll rhyolite mountains and the Jökultungur area are at the top of the agenda today. Geothermal activity has turned these craggy gullies into burnt, and sometimes vivid yellows and reds over time, these colours contrasting dramatically with the soft pale sand-toned peaks around them. The top of Jökultungur is a marvellous place to enjoy stupendous views over the whole Fjallabak (behind the mountain) area and Álftavatn, the lake close to the mountain hut where we will be accommodated for the night. To get there we have to cross a river on foot, this is usually a very exciting experience for overseas hikers who have often never tried this. Then we will relax with a great dinner and enjoy the beautiful vistas which surround us.

Meals: B, L, D

After a good night´s sleep and an energizing breakfast, we are ready to set off again. We begin by wading across another stream as we proceed onto Mælifellssandur and into volcano country. We will pass the Stórasúla and Hattafell volcanoes on our way to Emstrur. If you are lucky, and there is good visibility, you will have, absolutely outstanding views of two very famous volcano mountain glaciers, Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull. These ominous twins have delivered some awesome reminders of the power of nature, Eyjafjallajökull is the volcano whose eruptive power sent ash soaring to 30,000 ft severely disrupting air traffic in 2010, and Mýrdalsjökull shrouds the much-feared and capricious Katla under its ice cap. On our way to Botnar, a green oasis in the midst of a black sand desert area, we will see Markarfljótsgljúfur, a stunning 200 metre deep canyon fashioned by a glacial river. Accommodation will be in this area.
We enjoy our final evening together with dinner and enjoy the spectacular scenery in the gentle light of the evening.

Meals: B, L, D

After our final breakfast together at the mountain hut, we leave the Emstrur area and continue along the trail to Þórsmörk. As we go through the Almenningar, a picturesque gorge by Mount Einhyrningur (the Unicorn Mountain), we will still have a great view of the glaciers as we advance towards Þórsmörk. As we get closer the landscape and nature will change, a few trees begin to appear here and there, setting the tone for the characteristic dense birch forest for which Þórsmörk is famous. You can now celebrate your completion of the world-famous Laugavegur Trail!

One final highlight, on the way back to Reykjavík you will get a glimpse of the elegant waterfall, Seljalandsfoss!

We will arrive back in Reykjavik at around 21:30. Drop off is available at Miklabraut 101 Orkan gas station (by Kringlan shopping mall), Reykjavik Campsite and at the City Hall on Vonarstræti. Taxis and local bus services are available from these points.

Meals: B, L