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Southern Iceland: the Laugavegur and a group trip: a still from my film

Southern Iceland · July 2022 · Solo

Southern Iceland: the Laugavegur and a group trip

94.5 KM · 3 DAYS · 2,707 M

3 days alone from Landmannalaugar over Fimmvörðuháls to Skógafoss.

Watch the film 34:54 · 389K views

At a glance

Where
Southern Iceland
Distance
94.5 km (58.7 miles)
Days
3 walking days, one way
Climbing
About 8,880 ft (2,707 m) up and 10,780 ft (3,285 m) down
Season
Late June to early September; the huts are staffed then
Route
Landmannalaugar to Skógafoss
When I went
July 12 to 14, 2022, solo
Relief map of the Laugavegur Trail route: 3 days drawn in red with numbered day starts, labelled Landmannalaugar, Skógafoss, Hámundur and Hvanngil.
Day 1Day 2Day 3Highest 3,440 ft (1,049 m)

Elevation, start to finish: highest 3,440 ft (1,049 m), lowest 30 ft (10 m).

My GPS recording on a relief map. The numbers are where each day starts. The GPX files come with the guide.

Everything I made about it

The films

Photos

  • Rhyolite hills and snow south of Hrafntinnusker, Day 1.
    Rhyolite hills and snow south of Hrafntinnusker, Day 1.
  • The trail across the black sand below the mountains, Day 2.
    The trail across the black sand below the mountains, Day 2.
  • Gorges, snow and moss above Heljarkambur, on the climb to the pass, Day 3.
    Gorges, snow and moss above Heljarkambur, on the climb to the pass, Day 3.
Þórsmörk and the braided Krossá riverbed at the end of Day 2, with the Eyjafjallajökull ice cap behind.
Þórsmörk and the braided Krossá riverbed at the end of Day 2, with the Eyjafjallajökull ice cap behind.

The guide · 47-page PDF + GPX files · 2027 season edition

Do it yourself

3 days alone from Landmannalaugar over Fimmvörðuháls to Skógafoss.

  • All three days
  • My GPX files
  • The huts and campsites
  • The river crossings
  • Getting there and home

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Look inside the guide

Free sample

Try Day 2 free

The whole Day 2, Hvanngil to Þórsmörk page from the guide as a PDF, plus my camping packing list: the 42 things I carry, with a note on each, and this route's own list on top. Both come by email. You'll also get my emails about new guides and trips, a few a year.

Gear on this trip

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What I carried in 2022

  • Packmy Hyperlite pack
  • Tenta small green NEMO tentI stayed in my tent the whole time on the trail, which saves money.
  • Stovea small gas stoveMy own dinner at Hvanngil and ramen at Emstrur.
  • Shoestrail runnersThere were so many water crossings, and I kept my shoes on.
  • Camp shoesblue and orange camp shoes
  • Layersa dark rain jacket, an orange insulated jacket and a beanie

Filming kit

Music in this films

All music

What I'd take now

My current kit

Everything I use, in Tools

Europe bundle

This guide is in Europe Hiking Guide Pack: 11 guides for $39. Or all 62 guides for $59.

Short answers

How many days does the Laugavegur take?
Most people walk the Laugavegur in four days, sleeping in the huts, and add Fimmvörðuháls as a fifth. I did it in three in July 2022, about 20 miles a day: two days from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk and one over Fimmvörðuháls to Skógafoss, 58.7 miles on my GPS.
How hard is the Laugavegur trail?
It's low and not technical: you just have to do the miles. The river crossings are the hardest part; I had cold water up to my waist at one point. The other thing is the weather: wind, rain and sometimes snow and hail. Pick a good forecast window.
Can you wild camp on the Laugavegur?
No. The trail crosses protected land where overnight stays are only allowed in huts and at designated campsites, so you camp at the huts and pay per person. I camped at Hvanngil and at the Volcano Huts in Þórsmörk. In 2027 an FÍ campsite is 3,600 ISK a person and a hut bed 18,000 ISK.
Do you need to book the Laugavegur huts?
Yes. FÍ, the Iceland Touring Association, expects hikers to have confirmed hut or campsite bookings before they start, and it only books the huts north to south, from Landmannalaugar toward Þórsmörk. Book and pay online at fi.is.
When is the best time to hike the Laugavegur?
FÍ says the trail is open on average from June 25 to September 15, and that July and August are the most reliable. In 2026 it opened on July 2, with considerable snow between Landmannalaugar and Álftavatn. I went July 12 to 14, 2022, and walked in snow on the high section and on the pass.
Is Fimmvörðuháls safe to hike?
Check before you go. In late August 2026 FÍ, Útivist and the local rescue team warned against hiking Fimmvörðuháls because glacier retreat had opened ravines and crevasses between the two huts on the pass, and FÍ then marked a detour. There's also no water on the glacial pass, so fill up before the climb.

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