This will allow you to see your precise location, as well as the overall trail map, next stopping point, and more, all without using cell service. Make sure to always check with the hut wardens for the latest conditions and never attempt to hike through unsafe weather.Â. While the two trails are technically separate, they can be easily combined into a longer, 48-mile hike. Everything from sizzling hot springs and volcanoes to icy white glaciers. Many newer packs come with one built in, but if your doesn’t, check out this Sea to Summit one. Add in these two things and we promise you’ll sleep much more soundly!Â. In the short Icelandic summer, this path is gone by many people. Pick your digital guide for under $20 below: The 50+ page guide contains resources you won’t find anywhere else, including: We truly believe this is the best guide available for the Laugavegur.  Pick up your guide below and if your not satisfied for any reason we’ll give you a full refund! Those continuing on the Fimmvorduhals Trail will also be able to charge at the Skogar campground or hostel. The hut and campground at Emstrur offer exceptional views! The easiest way to stay up to date on the weather is to talk to the wardens at the huts. amzn_assoc_linkid = "f27d1790a992ba2f93fc55b08e67010f"; No matter the time of year that you hike the Laugavegur, it is very likely that you’ll be wearing a jacket and long pants for the majority of your trek. Laugavegur is very easy trail - just some uphill/downhill and a few shallow rivers to cross. 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. Cross the 34 miles (55km) from Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork, where you can choose to continue on to Fimmvörðuháls Pass, another 15 mi (25 km) trek. The “traditional” direction to hike is from north to south, but don’t expect to have the trail all to yourself if you go in the opposite direction. You can still expect to encounter lots of snow on the Laugavegur in July! From here you’ll walk through a flat, desert-like landscape before reaching the Emstrur Hut and Campground with its spectacular views. Be sure to read our Laugavegur Trail Logistics article to prepare for all of the practical aspects of your trek! There are huts and campsites all along the hike after maximum 15 km of distance. 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. #quarantinegarden #patiogarden #container, Celebrating one incredible year since this perfect, Finally catching up on sharing photos from the las, Another latergram, this time from Angkor Wat, Camb, Still trying to get caught up on these updates. Huts along the Laugavegur Trail are 9500kr (US$68) per night per person, while campsites are 2000kr (US$14) per night per person. Day 4: Álftavatn to Landmannalaugar (13 miles). With the exception of the restaurants at Alftavatn and Thorsmork (at the hut operated by Volcano Huts), there is nowhere to get a hot meal along the Laugavegur trail. If you want more, a 16-18 km hike from Thorsmork to Fimmvorduhals is a great addition to the Laugavegur trail. Our downloadable Guide to Trekking the Laugavegur Trail is ultimate resource to help you plan your perfect trip. Leaving Þórsmörk, you’ll hike steeply uphill while taking in beautiful views of the surrounding glaciers. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; You’ll find only a very limited and very expensive inventory of supplies for sale at some of the huts along the trail. From here you’ll continue uphill until reaching the high-point between the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull Glaciers before starting a long, steep, and at times exposed descent towards Þórsmörk. The Laugavegur trail is Iceland’s most famous and most visited hiking trail and often receives international acclaim for being one of the world’s best trails. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; If you plan on sleeping in the huts, you’ll want to be prepared for the. The Laugavegur Trail opens up otherworldly landscapes, where you’ll witness all kinds of weather conditions and discover unique geological formations. You’ll have the option of completing the Fimmvörðuháls Trail in a single day, or overnighting at one of the huts along the trail. The mountain huts along the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls Trails provide basic communal sleeping quarters (bring your own sleeping bag), cooking facilities (you’ll need to bring your own food), bathrooms and showers (with the exception of Hrafntinnusker, which does not have showers) and are staffed by very knowledgeable wardens. Walking poles are really helpful too Read more: Check out our Trip Report to get the full scoop on what the Laugavegur was really like! He, Guide to Camping on the Tour of Mont Blanc, Guide to Hiking from Aspen to Crested Butte, Guide to Camping on the West Highland Way, Guide to Camping on the Walker’s Haute Route, The Ultimate Guide to the Coast to Coast Walk, The Complete Guide to Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park, The itineraries provided later in this post. This post explains how to set your phone up to work as a GPS for the Laugavegur Trail.Â. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Campers are allowed to use the toilet and shower facilities at the huts, but not the kitchen or any of the internal living areas. This will allow you to see your precise location, as well as the overall trail map, next stopping point, and more, all without using cell service. From here you’ll embark on a long and steep downhill to the Álftavatn Hut and campground with spectacular views of its namesake lake! Typical Iceland! (sturdy sandals or other water shoes work best). 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. If you’re interested in walking the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls Trail from south to north, the following is a basic 4-day itinerary. As you climb to Fimmvörðuháls there are spectacular views back down into the Þórsmörk valley, and you cross some of the youngest soil on the planet (less than 10 years old!). The scenery is spectacular and changes dramatically over the 4 days that most hikers take to complete the trek. Leaving Hrafntinnusker you’ll enjoy a gentle downhill trail before a short-climb leads to excellent views. From here you’ll have a short walk before reaching the hut and campground at Emstrur. Water from streams and at the huts is safe to drink and the highest elevation is around 900m. If you are camping, make sure you pack a sleeping bag that is rated to 15° Fahrenheit or less. Sunshine and snow in the same day? Fimmvörðuháls is a 2-day extension of the Laugavegur trail that adds even more variety into the mix. Skógar is accessible for all cars, all year round. Be prepared for lots of these! The trail finishes at the spectacular Skogafoss Waterfall – an apt finale to a wonderful walk! One thing to watch out for is Iceland’s notoriously changeable weather! It is imperative that hikers check the weather conditions before setting out. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; This includes transportation and more delicious food than you can possibly eat. 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. Guided tours where you stay in huts and only carry a day pack (the rest of your luggage is transported for you) typically cost around USD$2,300. We have found that these two small things make a huge difference when it comes to getting a good night’s rest. Pick your digital guide for under $20 below: A helpful trail sign near a difficult section of the Fimmvörðuháls. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; For a great pair of rain pants (that are also excellent for wearing around camp), we recommend Marmot’s comfortable, flexible Precip pant. As you climb to Fimmvörðuháls there are spectacular views back down into the, valley, and you cross some of the youngest soil on the planet (less than 10 years old!). amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; If you want to hike Iceland’s famous Laugavegur Trail but want to do it in comfort, the Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls Combo Tour offered by Icelandic Mountain Guides is a fantastic option. Elevation Gain: 1450 meters (4758 feet). It’s one of our all-time favorite pieces of backpacking gear. Most of these are run by Ferðafélag Íslands (FI), which is the Icelandic Touring Association. Weather updates are usually posted outside, but you can also ask the warden for more information. This route tak Read more es you by vast glaciers, around crater lakes, and across deserts of black sands, in an array of landscapes that look like they belong to another planet. Starting point . The starting point is normally by the fabulous and famous waterfall Skógafoss, and ends in the beautiful green valley Thorsmork. Get up early and prepare for a long, but lovely day on the trail! Optional Day 5: Þórsmörk to Baldvinsskáli Hut (7.5 miles). Our downloadable Guide to Trekking the Laugavegur Trail is ultimate resource to help you plan your perfect trip. The Laugavegur Trail connects the Landmannalaugar hot springs to the Þórsmörk (pronounced Thorsmork) river valley. Reviewed October 1, 2019 . If you’re planning to stay in the huts along the Laugavegur Trail advance bookings are essential as the huts fill up quickly! Reviewed October 1, 2019 . You can take as much time as you need to complete the hike and can be picked up from any of the three main access points on the Laugavegur: Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, and Skogar (for those also completing the Fimmvörðuháls). When to Go: July – mid-September should be fine in most years. Trekking Iceland – Laugavegur Trail – Fimmvörðuháls to Skógar » Trekking Iceland – Laugavegur Trail – Þórsmörk to Fimmvörðuháls. 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. 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. You’ll begin your walk on the Fimmvörðuháls Trail in Skogar and climb steadily past a beautiful landscape of waterfalls and rushing rivers. Therefore, someone carrying camping gear and hiking northbound in two days will have a much different experience than someone staying in huts, heading southbound, and completing their trek in four days. Start: Landmannalaugar. Completing the Laugavegur Trail in 2-days with the option of adding the Fimmvörðuháls Trail on the third day is the fastest way to complete the walk. Make sure you bring enough batteries! 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. You catch a bus from the BSI terminal in Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar. 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. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Keep in mind that snow crossings and/or inclement weather can impact your hiking pace. It is the area between the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers in the south of Iceland. What happened during my Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trail solo hikes. amzn_assoc_asins = "B00GOAOK7Y"; We don’t recommend camping here as the conditions can be quite rough. Without sturdy footwear, you will greatly increase your chances of losing your balance and putting yourself in a situation that is unpleasant at best and very dangerous at worst. Continuing on you’ll soon have the option for a short detour off the trail to view the confluence of the Markarfljót and Syðri-Emstruá Rivers – we highly recommend checking them out! We did this independently and booked huts about 5/6 months in advance. We always recommend camping as it provides an added layer of flexibility and an escape from the sometimes crowded huts! amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "tmbtent-20"; Leaving Emstrur, you’ll enjoy a nice trail with a spectacular crossing of the Syðri-Emstruá River gorge. Via Reykjavik Excursions: The Highland Bus runs only during summer months (approx. The weather in Iceland can be extremely harsh. amzn_assoc_linkid = "638fe58ff3737bc0586ea1d0a0ef693a"; Accommodations: Huts or self-supported camping. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "tmbtent-20"; With the most difficult sections of the Fimmvörðuháls Trail out of the way you’ll be able to enjoy the dozens of spectacular waterfalls along the route. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; 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). Climbing steeply out of Þórsmörk, the trail winds steadily uphill before passing between the two glaciers- Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull.  You’ll also witness firsthand the volcanic remnants of the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano and the youngest mountains in the world. amzn_assoc_linkid = "a6511f692a41c2e5269bf32fe276a1d8"; Another thing that can derail your rest and recovery on the Laugavegur? Even though the sun stays up all night in the peak summer season, the temperature still drops significantly at night. Continuing on from Hrafntinnusker you’ll enjoy a gentle downhill leading to a short but steep climb before a long descent to the hut and campground at Álftavatn, approximately 13-miles into your walk. Trail to Skogar ( 15 miles ) be quite cold, especially in the designated campsites one very section... Before coming to the Þórsmörk ( 17.5 miles ) ISK per night descent. 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