Trekking on your own in Iceland

50 km about 1h 

Pick up and transfer from the Keflavik international airport to your Reykjavík accomodation. Settle into your guesthouse, have dinner and enjoy the night at your leisure. 

180 km about 4h driving and 4h of walking 

Depart by bus for Landmannalaugar through the southern countryside. You’ll drive along the expanses of black sand and ash that surround the strato-volcano Hekla, which in the Middle Ages was considered to be one of the gates to hell. Arrive at the Landmannalaugar campsite around noon. You can opt to climb Bláhnukur, the mountain that dominates the valley and wields a magnificent view of the rhyolite mountain chain. At the peak, a map will allow you to orient yourself and become familiar with the mountains of the region. At the end of the day relax with a bath in the nearby river’s hot waters.

Staying the night in a mountain hut. 

12km about 4- 6h

You’ll head due south to begin the mythical “Laugarvegur trek” going through lava fields and small gorges before heading up to the highlands in an environment of multicolored mountains, hot springs and solfataras. Arriving at the end of the day at Hrafntinnusker’s hut. You are at an altitude of 1000 meters, and on another world.

Staying overnight in Hrafntinnuskers hut. 

16km about 6h

From Hrafntinnusker you’ll go up and down the roller coaster of the Jökultungur ravines with their hundreds of hot water springs and little turquoise reservoirs that emit white smoke. Surprising splashes of colour dot this dramatic landscape. On the horizon, you will see the Myrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. Soon Alftavatn, “Swan lake” will appear, and the valley of Hvanngil. You’ll follow this path across landscapes of green tundra until you arrive at the old stables of Hvanngil.

Staying overnight in the mountain hut at Hvanngil 

12km about 5h

You’ll go by the foot of Storasula’s surprisingly green volcanic cone before reaching the black sand of the Maelifellssandur desert. Then it’s off to another ancient volcano, this time with a very characteristic shape, Hattfell or “hat mountain,” whose different shades of green contrast stunningly with the black sand of the desert. Arriving in the Emstrur you may even come across some adventurous sheep! Before arriving at the mountain hut in Botnar, you’ll discover the impressive Markarfljot canyon that cuts deeper than 200 metres into Hattfell’s southern flanks.

Staying overnight at the botnar hut in Emstrur, with its magnificent location in front of the Myrdalsjökull glacier

16km about 6h

You keep descending following verdant valleys and crossing little mountain passes until the Emstrur ravine; the glacier tongues of Myrdalsjökull come here to melt several kilometres up. As you descend, the vegetation becomes progressively more abundant and the first dwarf birch trees announce your arrival in the forests of Thor. Thorsmörk. Your arrival in the glacial valley and the white birch forests is enchanting after the desert crossing the day before. The comfortable mountain hut is definitely a welcome sight!
You’ll find the food supplies we have left for you in your mountain hut.

Overnight in Thorsmörk’s hut. 

14km about 6-7h

Set off for the longest leg of your trek, during which you will cross a pass at a height of 1078 meters dissecting the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. A feat that difficult weather can make very tricky. Half way up, detour on the plateau of Morinsheiði to walk on top off the cliffs, which give you a beautiful view on the Glaciers. The slope becomes pretty steep and snowfields more common. At the pass, before Fimmvördurhal’s hut, you will discover the fields of dark lava and the reddish craters from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in spring 2010. Close to the hut, if the weather is clear, you will have a view on the ocean as a reward.

Staying overnight in Fimmvordurháls’s hut 

13km about 4h of walking and 180 km of road. about 3h 

You will now follow the river Skoga across grassy hills staying on a well marked path. At the end of this hike, a surprise awaits you: the Skógafoss waterfall. At a height of 60 metres take in the sound of its deafening roar.
If you still have time you can go visit Skogar’s folk museum (entrance fee).
In the beginning of the afternoon you will board the bus back to Reykjavík along the southern coast.

Dine at your leisure and stay overnight in your guesthouse in Reykjavík

50km about 1 h 

Transfer to Keflavik international airport