Iceland Landmannalaugar trekking

8 days

Small Group. Minimum 6 and Maximum 12

Islandia

Medium Difficulty

Information

The best trekking in Iceland and one of the best nature routes in the world, the incredible Laugavegur route. Trekking circuit in a small group and with an expert Spanish-speaking guide. Our route is more complete than the classic trekking by incorporating the stage of waterfalls and volcanoes from Fimmvorduháls to Skóga r. We will also be able to contemplate the recent and spectacular volcanic eruption of Fagradalsfjall, since everything indicates that it will continue to be active for months.

The Landmannalaugar trek runs through the famous Icelandic Highlands, between the top of the Eyjafjalajokull volcano and the Mýrdallsjokul l glacier . On its way we can contemplate the most varied and spectacular landscapes that the interior of Iceland offers: glaciers, volcanoes, fumaroles, the ocher tones of the burned earth, incredible natural hot springs, the green meadows coexisting with the omnipresent lava standing out among the perpetual ice. and the striking colors of rhyolite and the various minerals of Iceland.

The last day we reserve to see the volcanic eruption in Fagradalsfjall . A unique and exceptional phenomenon in which we can see with our own eyes one of the greatest spectacles of nature. It is a spectacular eruption of small volcanoes with rivers of lava that began in March, and according to geologists, it can last a long time due to the amount and activity of the magma that it expels.

Planned itinerary

Departure dates

Prices

Includes/Does not include

More information

Accommodation and meals

the guide

Day 1. Flight from Spain to Keflavík

Flight from Madrid or Barcelona to Keflavík. Transfer by Flybus from Leif Eriksson International Airport to the accommodation. Direct flights from Spain are night flights, arriving at dawn. Overnight in hostel/apartment near Keflavík.

Day 2. Fagradasfjall volcano trek – Landmanalaugar

In March 2021, a volcanic eruption took place near Reykjavik. In the area of Fagradalsfjall, on the Reykjanes peninsula, the land opened up and small volcanoes emerged from it that began to release lava slowly but steadily. We will trek through the lava fields of the Fagradasfjall volcano, exploring the new geography created, the different craters and the recent lava fields.

After the trekking, we set off for Landmannalaugar by van or bus, where we will arrive in the afternoon, with time to bathe in the famous thermal river and explore the surrounding lava flows.

Overnight in refuge in the Landmannalaugar region.

Day 3. Landmannalaugar – Hrafntinnusker – Álftavatn

We start the walk on foot, surrounded by countless obsidian remains, a clear example of the constant volcanic activity of this island. On the way we will pass through fields of fumaroles , perpetual snow and rhyolite hills. We continue our march and head towards the incredible landscape of Alftavatn. We will walk between snowy mountains and streams caused by the melting of the numerous snowfields that will come our way. We look out onto an idyllic balcony, from which we can see the green meadows and mountains around Lake Alftavatn. To finish our journey today we will have to cross a simple stream, ideal to give a well-deserved rest and thus relax our muscles. Night in shelter.

Route: 22 km.
Approximate time: 8-9 hours
Accumulated slopes of ascent 900 m.
Descent slopes 960 m.

Day 4. Álftavatn–Emstrur

We start from the idyllic Alftavatn to enter an inhospitable desert of black sand , through which our walk will run throughout this day. We will leave the impressive Entujokull glacier on the left, while on the right we are flanked by mountains such as Hatafell from where elves, hidden people and other characters from the rich and presumably not so unreal Icelandic mythology may be watching us. We will visit the impressive canyon near the refuge. Night in shelter.

Route: 16 km.
Approximate time: 6-7 hours
Ascent slopes 200 m.
Descent slopes 300 m.

Day 5. Emstrur–Thorsmork

We begin the day running through the magical-looking hills of the Emstrur area to, in a few moments, cross a narrow bridge between the two walls that form the gorge of the Fremri-Emstruá river, melting of the Entujokull glacier. This is the only possible point to cross it for kilometers around. Little by little, the desert landscape gives way to the greenery of the Thorsmork valley (which translates as "Thor's forest"), undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Iceland, where we can admire the glacial tongues descending to the valley of Thor, as well as the meltwater joining the flow of the Markafljót River. We will advance along a path that sometimes gets lost until we reach the valley. Night in shelter.

Route: 15 km.
Approximate time: 6-7 hours
Ascent drop 360 m.
Descent drop 575 m

Day 6. Thorsmork–Fimmvörðuháls

On this day we will depart from the majestic Thor valley to head towards what is possibly the most inaccessible refuge of the trek, that of Fimmvörðuháls . We will go through impressive green hills and narrow paths, on the way to the pass that gives its name to the refuge to which we are heading. At this pass, where the Mýrdallsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull glaciers meet , we will see the great Atlantic Ocean for the first time, the goal of our trip. Night in shelter.

Route: 11 km.
Approximate time: 6-7 hours
Ascent drop: 1,000 m.

Day 7. Fimmvörðuháls – Skógar – Reykjavík

As a culmination, we will walk most of the day through descending terrain admiring the 24 waterfalls that the Skógar River offers us, from the softest and calmest to the most powerful and mighty, ending with the famous Skógafoss, an impressive waterfall with a drop of 62 meters. .

After the transfer to Reykjavík we will enjoy time to get to know the Icelandic capital. Laugavegur Street, with its outdoor shops and Icelandic wool sweaters, cafes and breweries, brings together virtually all of Reykjavík's shopping and entertainment. Also, in the port, we can taste fresh fish and visit the Harpa building, a concert and conference center formed by a network of glass hexagons. It is also worth a walk through the upper area of the city, where we will lose ourselves among charming wooden houses with small gardens. Nearby is the Hallgrímskirkja, often referred to as "Reykjavík Cathedral" due to its size, although it really isn't.
Transfer to Reykjavik. Free dinner in the city. Night in hostel.

Route: 14 km.
Approximate time: 5-6 hours
Descent drop 1,100 meters

Day 8. Flight from Reykjavik to Spain

L Travelers with direct flights will be able to enjoy the morning in the Icelandic capital.
Transfer or flybus to the airport. Return flight.

The route may be modified due to the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, this technical sheet corresponds to a normal scenario. If there were any changes, such as the need to do a PCR, or any other requirement, it would be reported immediately.

This route must be considered as an expedition, where unforeseeable circumstances may occur, such as bad weather. It preserves all the components of adventure and discovery present in our trips. The itinerary can be done both in the direction described in the file, and in the opposite direction. The order of the activities may not coincide with the one exposed.

Departure Dates 2022

From June 30 to July 7

From July 7 to 14

From July 14 to 21

From July 21 to 28

From July 28 to August 4

From August 4 to 11

From August 11 to 18

From August 18 to 25

From August 25 to September 1

From September 1 to 8

From September 8 to 15

Price: 2,395 euros + Airport Taxes.

Price Includes:

Flight from Madrid or Barcelona to Keflavík, roundtrip
Checked luggage, 20kg. per adult
3 nights accommodation in a hostel in Keflavík
4 nights of accommodation in a shelter according to conditions
All breakfasts and meals on route days
All dinners except those specified in 'Does not include'
Provisioning in the shelters
All trekking stages including Fimmvorduháls – Skógar
Transfers to the beginning and end of the route
Airport transfers or Flybus on route days according to program
Accompaniment and assistance of an exclusive Spanish-speaking mountain guide
multi-adventure travel insurance

Price DOES NOT include:

Air taxes and air ticket management expenses (between €180 and €260)
Meals on flight days and dinners in Reykjavík/Keflavík
Transfers to/from the airport outside the dates of this Iceland route or those of the airport in case of a combined trip Iceland-Greenland
Expenses derived from adverse weather, flight delays or incidents with luggage
Any assumption not specified in the 'Includes' section

Small Group

Our groups are usually 7 or 8 travelers, and a maximum of 12. Our style is almost familiar, flexible, with an atmosphere of collaboration and participation as if it were a group of friends, eager to have fun.

Physical condition

No special physical conditions are required to carry out this trip; it is enough to have good physical shape and want to make a route in a natural environment.

Type of trip and level

Expedition trip. Medium level. The trekking has a medium level, being able to be more demanding with unfavorable conditions of wind, rain, etc. The routes will be carried out along paths that vary from a good layout to practically disappearing. In the stages of days 6 and 7 we will advance through some stretches of snowy terrain.

Before the start of the route, we have prepared food deposits in all the shelters that we will find on the route. Thanks to this system, you don't have to carry all the food for the trip in your backpack and the level is much smoother. Even so, it is convenient to be used to walking carrying the backpack on your back.

Climate, temperature and daylight hours

Summer temperatures are quite pleasant. Although the weather is usually good, from experience we know that it is unpredictable and can be very changeable, so it is convenient to be prepared for rain or wind in a cool environment, with temperatures that range approximately between 8ºC and up to 15ºC on sunny days.

June 20-22 daylight hours. July 22-18 daylight hours. August 17-14 hours of light. September 14-11 daylight hours.

The trekking days

The scheduled stages are designed for an initiation level, with the exception of days 6 and 7, which are intermediate level. During the route we will be able to carry out in a simple way various activities that represent the spirit of the island such as: doing a multitude of trekking in different terrains, crossing rivers, crossing lava fields, bathing in natural hot springs, walking through ash fields...

The days range between 5 and 9 hours of daily walking at a gentle pace, with frequent stops. The guide will adapt the pace depending on the group and the weather conditions. Although the weather is usually good, the weather is unstable and it is advisable to be prepared for rain or wind.

Every day, after the route and if the weather permits, the guide will take an optional walk around the refuge. During all the nights of the crossing we will stay in the different shelters that are on the way, so we will not take tents with us. A warehouse with provisions for the day awaits us in each shelter, so that we do not have to carry the week's provisions on our backs. In this way, the trekking will be carried out carrying only the personal material and the day's picnic in the backpack. The weight of the backpack for trekking usually ranges between 8 and 10 kilos, including the sleeping bag.

Although it completely depends on what each traveler decides to take with them, in order to make the trip more comfortable, it is important to reduce the luggage to what is necessary, avoiding carrying useless things. Do not carry bulky books. The weight must not exceed 12 kilos in any case and, if the equipment is optimized, it can go down to 8 kilos.

The ways

Almost all the routes will be carried out on roads, although the terrain is varied: loose rocks, stone and volcanic sand, tundra, rivers and streams. The slopes are moderate, ascending up to a maximum of 1000 meters in a single day (see approximate distances and slopes in the TRIP PLAN). It is necessary to pay attention to the river crossings and follow the instructions of the guide, since there are places that can be complicated and others that are easy and safe.

The accommodations

In all shelters and hostels it is necessary to use the sleeping bag. We recommend that the bag has a comfort temperature of 5º to 10º C.

On route days we will sleep in mountain shelters that have a fully equipped kitchen, as well as toilets with running water except on day 2 and day 6. We will find individual hot water showers in three of them, day 3, day 4 and day 5 ; These showers are paid for but are included in the price of the trip. We will sleep in double bunk beds and, sometimes, depending on the available space, we will be able to make individual use of them. The rooms are common and mixed, being able to accommodate from 4 to 32 people per room.

feeding

Our organizer makes a provisioning in the shelters for all the outings, with which it is not necessary to carry food during the trekking, only the picnic of the day. However, for vegetarians or those who need a certain diet, we recommend bringing a specific product that you think is necessary for the trek, since all the food has been transported to the shelters beforehand. In these portages we include some foods for vegetarians and others gluten-free, for coeliacs.

During the days of excursion, during the day we will have a picnic-type diet and at night we will cook in the shelters with meals proposed by the guide and that he will prepare in collaboration with the travelers.

This type of adventure travel involves a minimum of team spirit and collaboration on the part of the traveler.

Here is a list of the foods that we can find along the route:

Breakfast: coffee, tea, infusions, cocoa, powdered milk, biscuits, bread, jam, muesli and cereals, butter, porridge.

Food (picnic type): assorted cured meats, preserves, chocolate, nuts, biscuits, cereal bars, assorted breads...

Dinner: dishes prepared in the shelters trying to have a varied diet such as rice, pasta, couscous, canned meat and fish, fruit in syrup, chocolate...

common tasks

This adventure has a spirit of collaboration, camaraderie and teamwork, in which we value above all good humor, a good atmosphere and tolerance towards colleagues. The guide will direct all the common operations but the activities will be done by everyone. Some tasks such as loading the vehicle on transfer days, preparing the food, washing the dishes, cleaning the shelter or other necessary tasks, will be carried out equally by all the participants, including the guide.

The mission of the guide is to show the way to the group through the route, guide trekking and activities, coordinate common tasks such as food preparation, ensure the safety of its participants and solve any incidents that may arise. , being able to change the route if it deems it necessary. The knowledgeable guide of the area will speak Spanish. He will show us the country and will coordinate the stewardship and the kitchen with the collaboration of all.