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Highlights
Journey across the Laugavegur Trail on this 5-day self-guided trek
Trek through black deserts, deep orange canyons, and across yellow ridges. Get your camera ready!
Practice your Icelandic pronunciation with glacier names like Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull.
Hike on sections of the trail that was named one of the best in the world by National Geographic.
Visit the bubbling geothermal area of Iceland packed with hundreds of hot springs and mud pools.
Do you want to trek the Laugavegur Trail in 2026? Laugavegur is a bucket-list destination and one of the best trails in Iceland! The legendary Laugavegur Trail isn’t just a hike — it’s a journey across one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. A true bucket-list adventure, the 5-Day Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking tour is an iconic route that showcases the very best of Iceland’s raw, untamed beauty.
While many travelers experience Laugavegur on a guided tour, a limited number of self-guided spots are available for those who crave freedom on the trail. Imagine setting your own pace, lingering longer at sweeping viewpoints, and walking in rhythm with the land — no fixed schedules, just you and the wilderness. You’ll receive a comprehensive information package to confidently navigate the route, along with convenient luggage transfers between huts — allowing you to focus fully on the adventure unfolding step by step.
As you hike into the Icelandic wilderness, be prepared to observe unique land formations and otherworldly views full of volcanoes, mineral pools, and geothermal activity, deep canyons and caves, and black-sand deserts. If you’re an adventure-seeker longing to explore Iceland’s most iconic trail at your own pace, the self-guided Laugavegur Trek is an unforgettable choice.
For guided options on the Laugavegur Trail, you can check out the Guided Laugavegur Trek, as well as the Guided Laugavegur and Fimmvorduhals Trekking Tour.
Do you want to trek the Laugavegur Trail in 2026? Laugavegur is a bucket-list destination and one of the best trails in Iceland! The legendary Laugavegur Trail isn’t just a hike — it’s a journey across one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. A true bucket-list adventure, the 5-Day Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking tour is an iconic route that showcases the very best of Iceland’s raw, untamed beauty.
While many travelers experience Laugavegur on a guided tour, a limited number of self-guided spots are available for those who crave freedom on the trail. Imagine setting your own pace, lingering longer at sweeping viewpoints, and walking in rhythm with the land — no fixed schedules, just you and the wilderness. You’ll receive a comprehensive information package to confidently navigate the route, along with convenient luggage transfers between huts — allowing you to focus fully on the adventure unfolding step by step.
As you hike into the Icelandic wilderness, be prepared to observe unique land formations and otherworldly views full of volcanoes, mineral pools, and geothermal activity, deep canyons and caves, and black-sand deserts. If you’re an adventure-seeker longing to explore Iceland’s most iconic trail at your own pace, the self-guided Laugavegur Trek is an unforgettable choice.
For guided options on the Laugavegur Trail, you can check out the Guided Laugavegur Trek, as well as the Guided Laugavegur and Fimmvorduhals Trekking Tour.
Read more
Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Bus to Trailhead and Trek to Hrafntinnusker
Welcome to Iceland! Start your journey at the bus station in Reykjavík to board the public bus to Landmannalaugar. On the ride, you’ll see your first glimpses of supernatural Icelandic landscapes with peaks and volcanoes. Take a lunch break at the trailhead, then begin your journey on the Laugavegur Trail. The route will lead you past small canyons, hot springs, and vivid mountain ridges. Reach your first mountain hut in Hrafntinnusker by the late afternoon, cook your dinner, and settle in for the night.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 12 km, 4–5 hours, 470 m of ascent
Meals: None
Day 2 Trek to Álftavatn Lake
Get an early start, prepare your breakfast in the hut, then set out for the day. Today’s trek leads you through the gorges of Jökultungur, filled with several steaming hot springs and mud pools. Following your map, you’ll come upon a spectacular viewpoint and catch sight of the impressive Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. Arrive at the lakeside hut in Álftavatn by the late afternoon. Explore this gorgeous remote lake as the sun sets, then settle into your dorm for the night.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 12 km, 4–5 hours, 490 m of descent
Meals: None
Day 3 Black Desert and Hike to Emstrur
Rise early, maybe catching the sunrise over Álftavatn lake as you enjoy breakfast. Today’s trail demonstrates the various terrain comprising Iceland. Start at the base of a vibrant green volcano as you hike into the black deserts of Mælifellssandur. Before reaching the hut for the night, take a slight detour to visit Markafljót Canyon, reaching 200 m in depth. Arrive at the Botnar hut in the Emstrur region and take a well-earned rest.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 15 km, 6–7 hours, 40 m of descent
Meals: None
Day 4 Trek Emstrur to Þórsmörk
Prepare yourself a hearty breakfast, then head out for a big hiking day. Hike through vast gullies and undulating hills of the Emstrur region with views of glaciers nearby. As you complete the trekking loop, you’ll enter dense birch forests and striking valleys of alpine flowers. Arrive at the hut and congratulate yourself on completing the 54-km loop of the Laugavegur Trail!
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 15 km, 6–7 hours, 300 m of descent
Meals: None
Day 5 Explore Þórsmörk and Departure
Enjoy your last morning in Þórsmörk, taking some time to explore the surrounding trails. Choose from options like the Sönghellir Cave, renowned for its echoes, or climbing a small mountain to reach magnificent views. In the afternoon, depart on the public bus to return to the bus station in Reykjavík, then continue onto the next leg of your journey. Arrival at Reykjavik Central bus Station at around 19:30.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided tour in Iceland is always run as a fixed-departure tour and the price is fixed.The prices below are per person:
Start
Finish
Duration
Spaces Left
Price
Fri, Jul 3
From Reykjavik
Tue, Jul 7
to Reykjavik
5 Days
Sold out
ISKkr175000
Fri, Jul 10
From Reykjavik
Tue, Jul 14
to Reykjavik
5 Days
5+
Spaces left
ISKkr175000
Sun, Jul 26
From Reykjavik
Thu, Jul 30
to Reykjavik
5 Days
Sold out
ISKkr175000
Sun, Aug 2
From Reykjavik
Thu, Aug 6
to Reykjavik
5 Days
1
Spaces left
ISKkr175000
Fri, Aug 14
From Reykjavik
Tue, Aug 18
to Reykjavik
5 Days
Sold out
ISKkr175000
Fri, Aug 21
From Reykjavik
Tue, Aug 25
to Reykjavik
5 Days
Sold out
ISKkr175000
Fri, Aug 28
From Reykjavik
Tue, Sep 1
to Reykjavik
5 Days
Sold out
ISKkr175000
Fri, Sep 4
From Reykjavik
Tue, Sep 8
to Reykjavik
5 Days
3
Spaces left
ISKkr175000
Accommodation on the Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour
This tour is based in traditional mountain huts. The huts are basic but do provide running water, flushable toilets or outhouses, and fully-equipped kitchens. All of the huts are heated, some have electricity and some have hot water. They have bunk rooms with single and twin beds, participants have to be prepared to share a bunk with other travelers from the group. You can choose to bring your own sleeping bag or rent one from the tour company.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Single rooms are not available on this tour as mountain huts only have shared dormitories.
What’s included in the Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour?
Meals
Meals are not included on this tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 4 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Tickets for public transportation are included for transfers at the beginning and end of the trek to and from Reykjavík. Luggage transport during the trek is included too.
Also Included
- Detailed information package with self-guided walking route, notes, and maps
- 1x Transfer of luggage item per person (18kg) between huts
Not included
- Meals
- Sleeping bag
- Shower in mountain hut (payable directly at huts)
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Anything not mentioned as “included”
Optional Extras
- Sleeping bag rental
- Hiking poles
- Extra nights in Reykjavík
- How hard is the Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Iceland?
- Are meals included on the Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Reykjavík to start this tour?
- Is the Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour in English?
- Where does the Self-Guided Laugavegur Trekking Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Iceland?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Iceland?
- When is the best time to travel to Iceland for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. You should be comfortable hiking for up to 7 hours and sleeping in remote mountain huts during the tour.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Meals are not included on this tour.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
You can reach Reykjavík by plane from many major European and North American airports. You will make your own way to the bus station in Reykjavík to start the tour.
Yes, the tour information provided is in English.
The tour ends in Reykjavík, where you will make your own way to the airport.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Iceland for trekking is from June to September when the weather is mild.
Customer Ratings
Icelandic Mountain Guides are a boutique adventure tour company that has been sharing the best of Iceland’s beautiful wilderness since 1994. Their passion for nature and adventure drives them to provide quality, fun and educational experiences for their guests. They are also committed to the environment, carbon neutralizing all of their day tours.
