The trail “Laugavegurinn” is one of the most popular and most travelled hiking trails in Icelandic wilderness. It is equally popular with domestic and foreign hikers. This is not without a reason as the trail offers a great variety of landscape. Mountains in almost every colour of the rainbow, great glaciers, roaring hot springs, big rivers and lakes. Generally the hike lasts four days and the starting point is Landmannalaugar (altitude approx. 600 meters).
1. day: Landmannalaugar-Hrafntinnusker
Distance 12 km, estimated walking time 4 – 5 hours. Elevation increase 470 meters. From the hut in Landmannalaugar (75 persons, GPS 63°59.600 – 19°03.660) the trail goes through a rough lavafield “Laugahraun”. From there on up the slopes of “Brennisteinsalda” and to the plateau. The view offers an incredible spectrum of colours. After 3 – 4 hours you arrive at “Stórihver”, a hot spring and almost the only green spot visible in the first day. In most years the rest of the trail from “Stórihver” to “Höskuldsskáli” hut is covered with snow.
2. day: Hrafntinnusker – Álftavatn
Distance 12 km, estimated walking time 4 – 5 hours. Elevation decrease 490 m. The first part of the trail takes us through a valley with some small ravines but be careful as they may be filled with snow. If the visibility is good a walk up to the top of mountain “Háskerðingur” (1281 m) will reward your with a breathtaking view. Soon we leave the colourful rhyolite mountains and enter an area with dark palagonite mountains and glaciers. You will also notice a considerable increase in vegetation. The trail down the “Jökultungur” is rather steep but leads down to a friendly oasis on the banks of river “Grashagakvísl” a fine place to rest for a while. From there on the trail to the two huts by the lake “Álftavatn” is on flat land.
3. day: Álftavatn – Emstrur (Botnar)
Distance 15 km., estimated walking time 6-7 hrs., elevation decrease 40 m. The trail takes us over the ridge “Brattháls” into “Hvanngil” ravine, wading across the river “Bratthálskvísl”.
4. day: Emstrur (Botnar) – Þórsmörk
Distance 15 km., estimated walking time 6-7 hrs., elevation decrease 300 m. First we have to go around the canyon of “Syðri – Emstruá” and there is a very steep path down to the bridge. Then a walk through the area known as “Almenningar” with crossing of among other rivers “Þröngá”. After crossing “Þröngá” a 30 minutes walk takes to the nearby hut or to the bus station. Birchwood and all kinds of plants a welcome change after the desert.
