I have decided to make my way to Iceland in July to have a bash at the Laugavegur hiking trail. The Laugavegur or Laugavegurinn (as it’s sometimes known) hiking trail is 55 kilometres long and is the most popular route through the wild Icelandic Highlands, one of last truly untouched wilderness areas left in Europe.
There are supposed to be very few places in the world that offer such diverse landscapes and scenic views for the through hiker. On the trek I’ll encounter colourful rhyolite mountains, huge and rugged glaciers, screaming hot springs, rivers of every shape and size, peaceful lakes, narrow ridges, immense waterfalls, deep canyons and panoramic views out across the North Atlantic Ocean.
I’m hoping this trek offers a little bit of everything for me. I’ll be away for a week and will be camping along the trail at night. There will be Jeep assisted back-up as the group will be made up of somewhere between 4-12 fellow hikers and adventure seekers. I really can’t wait to get going and I’m really looking forward to writing up my trip reports for the blog upon my return, hopefully backed up with some immense photography to help illustrate the adventure.
A rough outline of expected distances and destinations can be seen below:
Rough itinerary:
Day 1: Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar
Day 2: Landmannalaugar – Álftavatn 24 km
Day 3: Álftavatn – Emstrur (Botnar) 16 km
Day 4: Emstrur (Botnar) – Þórsmörk 15 km
Day 5: Þórsmörk – Reykjavík
JAMES HANDLON 
Well that picture is definitely enticing! I might have to put that trip on a bucket list. I hope it goes well for you.
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Yes I can’t wait to go! Need to save some money now I’m committed!
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That sounds like a great adventure James. I am looking forward to see some pictures and your personal account of your travels. It seems to me as well as I have to add it to my “to hike list”.
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Yes, I think it should be on every hikers ‘bucket list’. Hopefully when I return my trip report will convince you to make it happen either this year or next. Let me know in a couple of months time if you do. Cheers James.
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Great tour! I did it last year (photos on my blog, sorry, just german) and we added the trek from Pörsmörk to Vik over the glacier where the vulcano errupted in 2010. So impressive, the former lava was still warm! I really recommend adding it. Have fun, stay safe!
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Thanks, I’ll check the photos out on your blog (no need to understand German with photos luckily) they are a common language. Yes I too want to add a little extra challenge onto the end of the hike too, possibly an ascent of one of the volcanoes if it’s possible or similar.
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