Iceland's Laugavegur Trek

After a Flybus transfer to our hotel we begin with a briefing from your

leader, usually at 1830. Here you will have an outline of the the week ahead

and the chance to ask any questions.

We transfer up to the unmistakable Landmannalaugar Mountains. The drive will

take approximately 4 hours as we head through the south of Iceland, up the

Thjorsardalur valley towards Mt Hekla, an enormous volcano which in centuries

gone by has been responsible for enormous destruction. Here we turn into the

Highlands and the black volcanic desert of the Fjallabak area. The Fjallabak

Nature Reserve is one of the most popular areas in Iceland for trekking with

a landscape like nowhere else, from black volcanic plains to multicoloured

rhyolite mountains. At the heart of all this are the Landmannalaugar

Mountains where we pitch our camp before having lunch.



Typically most trips begin the Laugavegur trail today, however, we take the

opportunity to enjoy a daywalk in these unique surroundings.



Our afternoon walk heads to the top of Blue Peak and across the black

Laugahruna lava field. The hot pools originate in this lava field, which was

created in 1477, the last known eruption in the area. 



This area is believed to be the southern end of the Bardarbunga volcanic

system. The last eruption in the Bardarbunga system was a fissure eruption in

the northern end of the system from 2014 to 2015. Some 150 km north of

Landmannalaugar, it was the largest eruption in Iceland for over 200 years

though luckily did not have the same impact on air travel as the more famous

Eyafjallajokull eruption of 2010. 



Our guide will prepare the evening meal in our mess tent, though group

members are expected to pitch in and help with food preparation and washing

up.

For the next two days we cross the Torfajokull volcanic area (rhyolitic

stratovolcano). An area formed by series of subglacial volcanic eruptions

which today are most commonly found in Iceland or in Antarctica. The area

consists of rolling rhyolite hills with numerous hot springs and sulphur

vents and is the largest rhyolitic area in Iceland.



We start by crossing the Laugahraun lava field to the slopes of

Brennisteinsalda, known for its photogenic spectrum of colours. We take a

short but very worthwhile detour to the top.



En route we pass the Storihver hot spring, cross the high plateau and enter

the Hrafntinnusker area. Here steam rises from the hundreds of vents,  and

our route passes numerous hot springs along the way. 



From Hrafntinnusker and across the Torfajokull Massif. The route meanders

southwards and we hike past steaming hot springs and boiling mud pools before

we start dropping down Jokultungur to the black volcanic plains vest of the

Myrdalsjokull glacier. The view is spectacular on a clear day with

Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers in the foreground and the black

volcanic landscape between. We enter to a totally different landscape made up

from Palagonite ridges and peaks with black volcanic plains and big glacier

rivers all around. Our aim for the day is Alftavatn lake (Swan lake) where we

pitch our tents once more.

We head further south towards Myrdalsjokull ice cap across the black volcanic

landscape. There are several rivers in this area, the largest are bridged

however the smaller ones are not. We make a detour just before we make it to

our destination of the day, Emstrur. We head west for the Markarfljotsglufur

canyon. The Markarkfljot glacial river has cut this canyon nearly 200m deep

and it is worth a visit. After the Markarfljostgljufur canyon we have a short

distance to Botnar in the Emstrur area, a small green oasis in the black

volcanic desert.

We start the day by crossing the bridge over the Emstrur River on our way to

Thorsmork. We hike along the western edge of the Myrdalsjokull Ice Cap and

leave the pitch black volcanic area. Vegetation increases slowly and

eventually we get to the lush Birch covered area of Thorsmork (Thor's

woodland). Thorsmork valley is a beautiful place with its magnificent

glaciers, river and wind-swept mountains. This area has been a local walkers'

favourite for decades and it’s not hard to see why. We hike across the

Thorsmork valley and over the Krossa glacial river (by bridge) and to our

camp in Basar.

Today we pack up ready to head back to Reykjavik. We board the bus and drive

to the capital for our final night. Before getting to Reykjavik we go for a

hike on Solheimajokull, an outlet glacier extending from the Myrdalsjokull

icecap. We explore this wonderland of ice sculptures, crevasses, and long,

narrow ridges. We strap on the crampons and get the ice axes before making

our way up this massive ice flow. After the glacier walk en-route to

Reykjavik we stop at Skogarfoss and Kvernufoss, two particularly photogenic

waterfalls. On arrival in Reykjavik we can check in and then head out for our

final meal together. The leader will be on hand to recommend or book a local

restaurant for the group.

Those wishing to spend extra time in Reykjavik will find it time well spent

as this busy city has plenty to offer, from the Harpa Concert Hall to the

many restaurants and cafés, not forgetting the geothermal baths, a key part

of Icelandic culture.