6-Day Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls Trek in Huts
By combining two of Iceland’s best-known trekking trails, you get an unbelievable seven-day trek through incredibly diverse landscapes. From the famous geothermal area of Landmannalaugar to the volcanic landscapes of Fimmvörðuháls. This path takes us through it all; over multi-coloured hills and black sands deserts, alongside small gullies and great canyons, through verdurous valleys, between glamorous glaciers, and past wonderful waterfalls. This is a memorable hike littered with contrasts giving you a chance to absorb the true spirit of this remarkable country. Accommodations will be provided in comfortable mountain huts and all luggage will be transferred along the trail except for the last night where we carry a light backpack to a hut hardly accessible by vehicles. Trekking: 6 daysWalking per day: 4-7 hoursTotal walking distance: 78 km. (48 miles)Altitude: 200-1100 m. (650-3600 feet)Maximum Ascent: 900 m. (3000 feet)Day 1: REYKJAVÍK - LANDMANNALAUGAR - HRAFNTINNUSKERWe take the regular public bus from BSI bus terminal, that during the summer months drives the mountain tracks that lead to Landmannalaugar, passing by the Hekla volcano and other volcanoes in the Dómadalur area. Arriving in Landmannalaugar at noon, we have a lunch and then head south into the mountains. The trail takes us past small gorges, steaming hot springs and yellow mountain ridges. We will arrive in the late afternoon at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut, where we will stay the night.Day 2: HRAFNTINNUSKER - ÁLFTAVATNFrom Hrafntinnusker we descend down in the gullies of Jökultungur with hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools. Fascinating views to the south to the Álftavatn area (Swan Lake), and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. In the afternoon we arrive at Álftavatn hut where we stay the night.Day 3: ÁLFTAVATN - EMSTRURWe pass at the foot of the green conic volcano of Stórasúla before entering the black deserts of Mælifellssandur. Heading towards another ancient and verdurous volcano, the Hattfell, we enter the Emstrur region where farmers used to graze their sheep in summer. Before arriving at the Botnar hut where we stay the night, we visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon cut almost 200 m down into the rocks south of Hattfell.Day 4: EMSTRUR - ÞÓRSMÖRKWe continue up and down through the small valleys and gullies of Emstrur, where the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier rises only a couple of kilometers away. At the end of the day, the vegetation starts to grow thicker and higher as we descend into Þórsmörk’s (the woods of Thor) green valleys filled with arctic birch forests and colorful flowers. We cross the river Krossá on a footbridge entering the magic landscapes of Goðaland, the abode of the Gods. Nesting at the foot of two glaciers this is a wonderland of ridges and cliffs covered by a multitude of flowers and grasses, certainly fit for gods and humans alike. Even the elves have made themselves at home here. We spend the night in the Básar hut.Day 5: ÞÓRSMÖRK - FIMMVÖRÐUHÁLSWe climb up the hills leading to the pass of Fimmvörðuháls, walking along the Kattarhryggir ridges with views to the impressive mountain of Útigönguhöfði up to Morinsheiði heath. At the end of the Morinsheiði plateau we enjoy the view of the lava stream that flowed down from the Fimmvörðuháls volcano in March and early April 2010. As we gain height above Morinsheiði we come to the lava and then to the two craters Magni and Móði that erupted prior to the main Eyjafjallajökull crater. We head back to Þórsmörk with the magnificent view over the glaciers and this beautiful valley for our celebration barbeque dinner and night in Básar Hut.Day 6: ÞÓRSMÖRK VALLEYWe spend the last day in Þórsmörk, the hiker’s paradise, where we have an abundance of choices between various paths. For example, we can visit the Sönghellir cave (“Song cave”), climb up the small mountain of Valahnúkur from where the magnificent views can be enjoyed, or hike into the beautifully carved canyon Stakkholtsgjá. This oasis between the mountains is also an ideal place to relax and just enjoy nature. Return to Reykjavik in the afternoon.
