Laugavegur trail & Fimmvörðuháls pass

The classical route
Laugavegur trail is one of Iceland's best known hiking routes and often member of top-ten-hikes-in-the-world. It´s very unique and offers diversity and new experiences in the landscape every day. The bright colors of the mountains in Landmannalaugar and the geothermal activity is a wonderful start of our 5 day trek. On the way we experience the power of the nature through the volcanic black sands, bubbling thermal pools, the contrasts in the bright green moss and the arctic fauna with a view over the glaciers. On our last day we will visit the lava field a long with Magni and Móði, two new craters formed in the eruption in 2010. On the pass we will have the famous Eyjafjallajökull on one hand and Mýrdalsjökull on the other. While descending to our final destination, Skógafoss we will enjoy the view and power of no more than 22 waterfalls. 
This is a trip of a lifetime!
Tour Summary

Length:  5 days / 4 nights

Time: July & August 

Distance: 80 KM / 2500 VM

Style: , trekking.
 
Highlights
  • Landmannalaugar
  • Geothermal pools
  • Glaciers
  • Markarfljóts canyon
  • Þórsmörk
  • Fimmvörðuháls

Itenerary  

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 1
Landmannalaugar - Hrafntinnusker
The first day of our journey. We start the day by taking a bus to Landmannalaugar where we have refreshments before heading off. 
First we walk over a lavafield called Laugahraun and then up to the plateau alongside Brennisteinsalda. There the views are wonderfull and worthy of a stop to drink in beauty of the landscape.
We continue on the plateau which has been cut by rivers because the rock is rather soft. We stop at Stórihver for more views and possibly a bite of food before we continue to Höskuldsskáli at Hrafntinnusker where we stay for the night. Part of the route can be covered with snow.
Distance: 12km
Elevetaion +470m
Day 2
Hrafntinnusker – Álftavatn
We head south over the meadows west of Reykjafjöll towards western Kaldaklofsfjöll where we go up a ridge between Kaldaklofsfjöll and Jökulgil. Our path takes us through canyons until we reach Jökultunga where amazing views over the entire way and we can see the three glaciers, Tindfjallajökull, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull.
The way down is bit steep and rocky. Once down we reach Grashagakvísl which is a river we may have to wade. From there the rest of the route is easy on the foot.
Distance: 12km
Elevation: -490m
Day 3
Álftavatn – Emstrur
Our day begins with going east towards Hvannagil where we wade a river named Brattahálskvísl. From Hvannagil we head to a bridge that takes us over Kaldaklofskvísl and just south of it is Bláfjallakvísl which we have to wade. From there we head towards Innri-Emstruá where we cross a bridge over the river. If the weather is dry but windy there‘s a chance of blowing sand. We go between Útigönguhöfðar south towards Botnsskáli in Emstrur.
Distance 15km.
Elevation: -40m
Day 4
Emstrur – Þórsmörk
Our day starts with us going east as we have to go around Syðri-Emstrugljúfur, a canyon that almost reaches Entujökull. We go towards a bridge that crosses Syðri-Emstruá and follow Langháls until we reach the meeting point for Markarfljót and Syðri-Emstruá. From here we go south and we‘ll find two canyons named Slyppugil and Bjórgil. After we get out of Bjórgil we hike through land that is believed to have been a forest centuries ago.
More landscape changes await us as we get to Úthólmi south of Ljósá. There we find the last uphill part of the way called Kápa. Once over we find a river called Þröngá which we have to wade. Now the last part of our journey takes us through a forest of birch towards Skagfjörðsskáli. The last part of the hike is a nice change as we walk in a foresty area.
Distance 15km
Elevation: -300m
Day 5
Þórsmörk – Skógar
The final day of our trip starts by taking us through Strákagil towards Heiðarhorn were we ascend to a plateau called Morinsheiði. Once we‘re across the plateau we reach Heljarkambur and Brattafönn which we have to ascend to continue our journey. Once up we reach Goðahraun, which has one of the newest lavafields in Iceland as well as Magni and Móði. They are craters from wich the lava flowed that we see here. We continue our hike towards Baldvinsskáli which is about half way to Skógar. We then hike south towards Skógá where we follow the river in the canyon. The canyon has many beautiful waterfalls on the way. Once we reach the end, the magnificent Skógarfoss awaits us along with our bus back to Reykjavík.
Distance: 25 km
Elevation: 1100 (-1390) 

General informatoin

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Equipment list& advices