Laugavegur to Skogar Backpack
Reykjavík, Iceland
5.0 (4 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Glaciers & Stunning Views
- Lava Field from 2010
- Cozy Mountain Huts
- World Class Trails
- Colorful Landscapes
- Hot Springs & Thermal Features
- Big Waterfalls & Rivers
- Guides Choice Trip
Description
This amazing Iceland Hut-based Backpacking Trip combines the two most iconic hiking trails in Iceland: the famous Laugavegur Trail and the Fimmvordurhals mountain pass trail. These trails are iconic for good reason – they feature the best of Iceland on an adventurous, stunningly beautiful trek through classic Iceland landscapes!
The Laugavegur-Skogar Backpack begins at the Laugavegur Trailhead in Landmannalaugar, where we head out across colorful mountains, geothermal features, obsidian lava fields, green mossy hills, black sand deserts and the lush birch forests of the Thorsmork Valley. We will be trekking adjacent to 2 major Icelandic icecaps : Myrdalsjokull and the famous Eyjafjallajokull. From the Thorsmork valley, we continue hiking south, up and over the Fimmvordurhals mountain pass, until we reach an amazingly fresh lava field that was created in March, 2010!
As on all Iceland treks, the weather can be relatively harsh (windy, cold and rainy usually mixed with some sunshine and calm conditions as well). The huts are communal and rustic, and provide wonderful refuge from potentially bad weather in the evenings. Join us and prepare yourself for a very authentic Icelandic hiking experience! Give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) to learn more or book your spot today!
$200 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
On this trip the single supplement includes single rooms in the hotels we stay at before and after the trek. Once on our trek we will not have the ability to put guests in single rooms. Please be prepared to share rooms, huts, teahouse accommodations..etc. with other guests and hikers once we’re on the trek. Different sexes will never be asked to share a room unless they are traveling together or we are in communal lodging with several people in one room.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4
Our difficulty ratings are based on a scale of 1-5, tours with a rating of 1 being least difficult, tours with a rating of 5 being most difficult
- Backpack Weight:
- 30-35 pounds
- Daily Hiking Distances:
- 3-11 miles
- Most Elevation Loss:
- 3300 feet
- Most Elevation Gain:
- 2950 feet
- Quality of Trails:
- The trails on this trip are well-trodden dirt and rock paths.
- Additional:
- This trip has some long days of hiking (11-14 miles), and two days with significant elevation gain/loss (2950 ft gain, and a 3300 ft loss).
Participants should:
- be active and healthy
- regularly exercise vigorously
- be comfortable hiking, biking, running, or swimming for several hours without many breaks
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Iceland hike a solitude 2. You can expect to have as much as an hour of solitude at a time while hiking.
BOOKING FLIGHTS
For our Iceland treks you will need to fly into Keflavik International Airport on Day 1, no later than 3 P.M. Your guide will rendezvous with you at our hotel (we provide a shuttle voucher for transport from the airport to the hotel). An orientation meeting and accommodations are included on Day 1. Your return flight should be scheduled anytime for the final day of the tour or later.
Flights to and from Keflavik Airport are the guest’s responsibility. Multiple airlines operate flights into Keflavik from many U.S. and European international airports. Some of the primary U.S. departure cities include Denver, Portland, Boston, Washington DC, San Francisco, New York and Minneapolis. The duration of nonstop flights is 6-9 hours.
Your flight on the final day of the trip can depart at any time.
Minimum of 2 Guests
We require a minimum of 2 guests to confirm this trip. If a trip date is not confirmed yet, you can register and will be notified when the trip is officially confirmed. We recommend not making final travel arrangements until your trip meets the minimum number of guests and is confirmed.
In most cases, if a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 45 days before the departure date.
Private Trips
Traveling in perfect company is a wonderful thing! With our private trip offerings you can book a trip exclusively for your group. Whether it’s with family, friends or colleagues, private trips are a fun and enriching way to explore the outdoors.
Private trip pricing is based on a sliding scale, depending on the number of people in your party. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax and national park fees (where applicable) or guide gratuity. Give us a call at 800-715-HIKE to get the ball rolling!
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2
- 3 People: Rate x 1.5
- 4-5 People: Rate x 1.3
- 6-7 People: Rate x 1.2
- 8-10 People: Rate x 1.1
- 11-12 People: Rate x 1
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsItinerary
DAY 1
On this Iceland hiking tour, we provide you with a shuttle voucher to get from Keflavik International airport in Reykjavik, Iceland to tonight’s hotel. After checking into your hotel room (included), you are free to explore the capital city on your own. Reykjavik’s city center is small and you can travel everywhere on foot. Your guides will designate a time to conduct the pre-trip orientation meeting. The orientation meeting is time to ask questions, meet other expedition members, check over gear, and review the itinerary. Icelandic weather can be cold and rainy so be sure to follow the gear list closely! After the orientation meeting, your guide will make suggestions for fantastic dinner spots in Reykjavik, as dinner is on your own this evening.
NOTE: If your flight lands in the morning, your hotel room will not be ready for you to check in. However, you will be able to store your luggage and start your city exploration.
DAY 2
- Driving Duration: 4 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 2-4 miles
- Elevation Gain: minimal
- Trekking Duration: 1-2 hours
This morning your guide will pick you up at the hotel and transport you to the local bus station. From the bus station, you will have a 4-hour ride through the beautiful Icelandic country side. You will have amazing views of the famous Hekla volcano and journey into the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. We will arrive at the stunning and busy Landmannalaugar around mid-day, where lunch will be served and we will check into our rustic mountain hut. After check in, we will begin our first half-day hike. We will be immersed among colorful peaks and valleys, geothermal features and lava fields. Once we return from the hike, we will have time to soak in the geothermal hot creek which runs close to our hut. After we soak, we will enjoy the delicious dinner prepared by your guides. Typical Icelandic food consists of tender mountain lamb, delicious fish and lots of potatoes. Make sure you let us know if you have any dietary restrictions. After dinner, your guides will brief you on the plan for the next day and then the remainder of the evening is free for your enjoyment. Feel free to have another soak in the hot creek or take a stroll around the encampment. In June and July, it does not get dark in Iceland, so make sure to bring a ‘buff’ or scarf to aide in your sleeping.
DAY 3
- Hiking Mileage: 7-9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1600 feet
- Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours
This morning after a delicious breakfast we will begin our trek. We will encounter multi-colored mountains, obsidian lava fields and geothermal features. The scenery today is unique to Iceland and usually surprises people by how “unearthly” it looks. Depending on our weather, we may have views of Mt. Hekla and several icecaps.
Our hike will eventually lead us to the obsidian dome where the Hrafntinnusker Mountain Hut is located. Don’t worry if you can’t pronounce it, we’ll teach you! The Hrafntinnusker hut is extremely rustic but chances are you will be thankful to have a roof over your head.
DAY 4
- Hiking Mileage: 7-10 miles
- Elevation Loss: 1600 feet
- Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours
This morning we will have a nutritious breakfast, pack our gear and begin our day’s trek. We start the day hiking across the Hrafntinnusker plateau with wide open views of geothermal formations, hot springs and mud pools. Depending on the month, we may be hiking in snow. Reaching the edge of this plateau, the view opens up to green plains and moss-covered hills. There are two classic mountain huts we can choose from for tonight’s stay, both offering a welcome rest, big dinner (prepared by your guides), and good night’s sleep.
DAY 5
- Hiking Mileage: 8-14 miles
- Elevation Gain: 900 feet
- Trekking Duration: 7-9 hours
After a delicious breakfast, we will begin our trek out of the mountains and across a black sand desert. Soon enough the glaciers and moss of the lush mountains we’ve been in will disappear and we will be hiking across an amazing desert of black sand. This afternoon we have the option – if weather and conditions permit – to hike along the Makarfljotsgljufur, a very impressive canyon, while being exposed to the neighboring icecaps. We can also enjoy a day hike to Makarfljotsgljufur and the ice caps after we’ve arrived at our hut if energy and time allow. We will be staying in the Botnar huts in the valley of Emstrur.
DAY 6
- Hiking Mileage: 10-11 miles
- Elevation Loss: 1000 feet
- Trekking Duration: 8 hours
This morning after breakfast, we leave the Emstrur Valley after a steep descent and a bridge crossing. We will witness amazing basaltic columns, green mossy gorges and views of the large glaciers. Eventually, we descend into a Birch forest with lush vegetation all around. We finally come to our mountain hut accommodation for the night at Langidalur in Thorsmork, where the view is absolutely stunning.
DAY 7
- Hiking Mileage: 7-9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2,950 feet
- Trekking Duration: 8 hours
This morning after breakfast we will depart for the day. We begin today’s trek by crossing the Thorsmork Valley. Then we begin to ascend the Fimmvordurhals Pass, which lies between 2 ice caps. As we go up ridges and traverse plateaus, the views get increasingly more dramatic. The two neighboring glaciers, Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull, have carved a maze of gorges and valleys in the landscape. We will soon reach the edge of the 2010 volcanic eruption, where lava flowed down into the gorges. It’s even still steaming in places! We will keep ascending to the two recently created volcanic craters, Magni and Modi. After pondering the magnitude of the volcanic forces around us, we will continue trekking until we reach our small, rustic mountain hut for the night. We will cap off this amazing day with a hearty dinner and much deserved night of sleep.
DAY 8
- Hiking Mileage: 7-8 miles
- Elevation Loss: 3300 feet
- Trekking Duration: 8 hours
Assuming good weather, we will wake up to a spectacular view of the ocean. After breakfast, we will pack up and begin descending from barren mineral plateaus to greener, vibrant hillsides. Overlooking the south coast of Iceland we still feel the presence of the magnificent glaciers behind us. Eventually, we will reach Skoga creek and follow it until we reach the village of Skogar. There are many waterfalls along the way making the last day of our trek extremely beautiful and rewarding. Once in Skogar, we can relax in the café and wait for the bus to transport us back to Reykjavik. In Reykjavik, we will check into our hotel rooms (included), and your guide will make suggestions for where to dine this evening, as dinner is on your own.
DAY 9
Today is the final day of the Wildland Trekking, Laugavegur to Skogar trek. We will ensure you get on the proper Flybus Shuttle for departure to Keflavik International Airport. If you are remaining in Iceland, please let us know. We can help you arrange extra activities in Iceland. Thanks for choosing Wildland Trekking!
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however occasionally trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to: extreme weather, political or bureaucratic obstacles, earthquakes, fires, flooding and more.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- A detailed trip packet that takes the guesswork out of your travel, training, packing, and preparing for the trip
- Access to our Adventure Consultant team 7 days a week
- Transportation for the duration of the tour starting on Day 1 and ending on the day you depart
- Lodging before and after the trekking portion of the trip and mountain hut reservations and accommodations on the trek
- Sleeping pads and sleeping bags
- Use of a day pack and trekking poles
- All meals from breakfast on Day 2 through lunch on the last day of the trekking portion of the trip
- Professional, certified Wildland Iceland hiking guides
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite phone
- You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and kids to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Wildland Trekking hiking trip after your first one!
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Flights to/from Iceland
- Dinners in Reykjavik
- Trip insurance that includes medical coverage and at least $200,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage (strongly encouraged)
- Bar bills, drink bills, extra snacks, telephone bills , wifi bills and other personal expenses (shopping/ laundry)
- All expenses due to unavoidable events e.g. flight cancellation, personal illness, strikes, etc. (we recommend trip insurance coverage for these variables)
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (Oboz hiking shoes and boots recommended)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Gratuity for guide(s) and crew (industry recommendation is 10-20% of total trip cost; please tip your lead guide and they will distribute responsibly to the crew. USD or local currency is acceptable.)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
MEALS: WHAT TO EXPECT
This Iceland hiking tour features a combination of in-town meals and meals prepared by your guide. Most meals are prepared on the trail by your guides.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We can often accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee, and in some countries may be more difficult to accommodate than others. Please inquire with us for more information about the specific trip you’re interested in.
GEAR WE PROVIDE
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Backpacks
- Trekking poles
- Sleeping bags, sleeping pads
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Satellite phone
WHAT GEAR TO BRING
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are two 1-liter water bottles per person and basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
WHAT CLOTHES TO BRING
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with detailed guidance about what clothes to pack (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, and our recommended clothing system. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
Trip Logistics
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
WHERE DO WE MEET?
Wildland Trekking will provide a Flybus voucher for you to exchange for a ticket to the hotel when you arrive at the International Airport in Reykjavik, Iceland. After checking in the hotel rooms, you are free to explore the capital city on your own. Reykjavik’s city center is small and very walkable. Your guide will contact you approximately 45 days before your trip begins to answer any questions you have and coordinate a time to conduct the pre-trip orientation meeting.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Your safety is our top priority. This trek is led by professional hiking guides along with additional support staff. All of our guides are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and all tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
In the interest of your safety, it’s important to refer to the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date recommendations on immunizations before your trip.
GUIDES
This trip is led by expert, local Wildland guides. Our approach to international travel is to combine the best of two worlds: the dialed-in details, professionalism and consistency Wildland trips are known for; and the cultural immersion and intimate regional knowledge that only locals can provide. To excel with this approach, we vet and hire the best local guides, welcome them into the Wildland family and train them to meet our standard of excellence with every aspect of a trip. But along with managing logistics and safety, your guides will teach you about the area’s history and culture, and provide a level of familiarity and intimate detail only locals can.
Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
GUIDE WORKING PARAMETERS
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
GROUP SIZE AND AGE RESTRICTIONS
The standard group size on this hiking tour is 12 guests and 2 guides. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
TRIP INSURANCE
For your protection, we strongly recommend the purchase of field evacuation, repatriation, and medical trip insurance. International travel is expensive, and the modest cost of trip insurance is a sound investment in an uncertain world.
If you wish to purchase trip insurance, we recommend IMG/iTravelinsured. They are one of the world’s leading providers of travel insurance.
For information on recommended IMG/iTravelinsured policies please click here.
For even greater information, or if you simply prefer communicating with a real, live person, feel free to contact our exclusive agent Michael Bennett. Michael will help you identify the best product for your needs, and there is no cost associated with his assistance. You may contact him at:
Email: WildLandTrekking@EasyToInsureME.com
US by Phone: 877-305-9083
Direct/International by Phone: 702-448-3664
If you already have insurance or wish to purchase from anyone other than IMG/iTravelinsured, we recommend careful consultation with the provider to ensure appropriate coverage. This is because many providers have a number of policy exclusions.
If you secure an insurance policy please bring a copy of it to provide to your guides at the orientation meeting.
WEATHER IN ICELAND
The weather in Iceland is generally cool, and the country has what is considered a temperate climate. The relatively warm North Atlantic Current makes Iceland’s temperatures more temperate than many places of similar latitude. It can be quite cool, rainy and windy in the summer, so being prepared with the proper rain gear and warmth layers is critical.
The average temperatures and precipitation in Iceland are:
| Average Iceland Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||
| Month | Hi | Low | Wet Days | |||
| June | 54° F | 45° F | 15 days | |||
| July | 60° F | 50° F | 15 days | |||
| August | 57° F | 48° F | 16 days | |||
| September | 52° F | 43° F | 18 days | |||
Accommodations
FOSSHOTEL RAUÐARÁ
2 NIGHTS
In central Reykjavík, this premier hotel is easy walking distance to the main shopping district, many great restaurants, and a wonderful city park.
ICELAND MOUNTAIN HUTS
6 NIGHTS
Iceland’s mountain huts offer cozy, dry, warm shelters with rustic, communal accommodations and dorm style sleeping. Amenities range from hut to hut and at most include hot water, showers or electricity.
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Trip Reviews
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- HIGH - LOW
Russell P.
Fantastic
Both guides were fantastic and well prepared. Some of the stories could have been shorter but most enjoyed them. Michael shared a lot of his fantastic geology knowledge. Antwan with is mythology tales. Both guides kept everyone engaged even with the large difference in age. going off the trail made all the difference and the great meals.
Kenny K.
Highly Recommended
Wildland and it's guides place a premium on its customers experience while backpacking cross-country. That is not always the case with other outfitters. This was my second trip with Wildland and my first out of the country. The guides were well prepared and knew the area well enough to take advantage of some uncharacteristically nice weather. The value added from their knowledge of local geology, names of features, Icelandic history and mythology was incredible.Let's talk food. The meal plan was fantastic. I've never eaten so well out of a pack. Wildland is highly recommended and I can't wait to plan my next trip with them!
Joanne H.
Excellent Trip Leaders
Michael and Antoine were excellent leaders. They were always attuned to the needs of all members of our 7-person group. Michael's extensive knowledge of the geology of the area was exceptional. Antoine's storytelling abilities and deep understanding of Iceland's history and lore kept us engaged as we traveled those many ups and downs on the trek. he is a gifted, caring teacher. THE FOOD WAS AWESOME! Wildlands should pair up these 2 guides again. Participants on other Iceland treks would be delighted!
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