Tour Overview
Duration
4 days
Walking distance
40 km
Difficulty
Moderate
Accommodation
Sleeping bag - huts
Group size
Min 5 persons
Group size
Max 15 persons
Minimum age
14 years
Season
Summer
Starting point
Reykjavík
Departure
08:30
Pick up
Yes
Drop off
Yes
Tour departures dates 2025
7.Jul. 2025
14.Jul. 2025
28.Jul. 2025
11.Aug. 2025
25.Aug. 2025
1.Sept. 2025
15.Sept. 2025
25.Sept. 2025
Tour departures dates 2024
9.Jul.24
17.Jul.24
23.Jul.24
31.Jul.24
6.Aug.24
Price from
1.860
Tour description
After pickup in Reykjavík, the course is set for Landmannalaugar, a place that is well known for its colorful mountains, hot springs, and beautiful lava fields. Short hiking is optional for those who are willing to wear down their hiking boots as we stop for 2 hours in Landmannalaugar.
Our guide will offer a tour through the Laugahraun Lava to the mountain Brennisteinsalda and back to Landmannalaugar through the Grænagil Canyon.
This trek is 4,5 km and not technically complex. We will observe bubbling rivers, geothermal hot springs, beautiful lava, and colorful mountains.
Relaxing in the hot spring at Landmannalaugar is an option before we continue the journey.
Landmannalaugar is in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. It is a protected wilderness area that is known for its rugged and dramatic landscapes, geothermal features, colorful rhyolite mountains, and pristine wilderness.
From Landmannalaugar the tour continues in our 4×4 bus as we drive the F208 mountain road to Lake Langisjór and the Peak Sveinstindur. F208 is a challenging mountain route only suitable for 4×4 vehicles. It takes us through some of Iceland’s most stunning and rugged landscapes in the highlands and offers access to various natural attractions.
The trek begins at Lake Langisjór by hiking to the top of the Peak Sveinstindur. The view from the top is spectacular. The view stretches over the breathtaking valleys and mountains. The hike continues from Peak Sveinstindur to a cabin by the river Skaftá where the first night will be spent.
The first day’s hike will be around 4-5 hours long. The starting destination at the bottom of Sveinstindur is around 600 meters above sea level and the top is 1090 meters. The elevation is therefore 5-600 meters.
Langisjór is a large lake southwest of the glacier Vatnajökull. It is part of the Vatnajökull National Park. The lake is 27 square kilometers, 20km long and 2km wide, at its widest. The altitude is 662m above sea level.
East of Langisjór is the mountain range Fögrufjöll in which many rock formations lead into the water and into the fjords and bays. By the southern end of the lake is Sveinstindur, a mountain named after Sveinn Pálsson, a physician and naturalist from the town of Vík. Sveinstindur is 1092m above sea level. The hike is relatively easy and hikers with little to no experience can get to the top with an increase of 400m in altitude. The view from the top is unique, it is said that in case the weather is good enough, a person should be able to see a view that stretches a quarter over Iceland.
From the glacier Öræfajökull in the east, and the two glaciers Langjökull and Hofsjökull in the west. The view stretches over all Langisjór Lake additionally, an unforgettable sight to see. To the right of the lake is the mountain range Fögrufjöll with numerous lagoons between heights and peaks.
East of Fögrufjöll runs the glacier river Skaftá, which has historically crashed with catastrophic floods. The floods originate in Skaftárkatlar, which is a geothermal area underneath the icecap of the Glacier Vatnajökull.
From the east of the Skaftá river, one can see the crater Laki, where the lava from Laki crater flooded in the lowlands in 1783 – the third largest lava flow on earth since the last Ice Age.
On the second day of the trek, we leave the mountain hut at Peak Sveinstindur after breakfast and prepare our lunch pack for the day. We set the course to Skælingar hut. The trekking goes along side of the river Skaftá and through the valley Hvanngil. The second day of the hike is in a fabulously colorful landscape.
In Skælingar there is an old cabin that belong to the farmers in this part of Iceland. One of many such cabins in Iceland that were used in the autumn in the sheep round-up, when farmers collected sheep from the Highland. In Skælingar there are many amazing lava formations from the Laki eruption, that are beautiful scenery making the place strange and exotic. In Skælingar, the most adventurous hikers will be able to bathe in a cold mere.
The third trekking day starts with a trek to the mountain Gjátindur from the top of which a magnificent view of Iceland can be seen. From Gjátindur is a good view over the Eldgjá fissure wich is a 70 km long canyon.
Eldgjá is a fissure created by eruptions that took place in the year 934. The fissure is 60 km long and forms a canyon that extends from the mountain Gjátindur to the glacier Mýrdalsjökull in the southeast. We will observe the fissure and take a good look at the waterfall Ófærufoss.
The total lava flow from the Eldgjá eruption is estimated to be around 19 km3. That makes the Eldgjá eruption the most volumetric lava flow from one eruption in historical time. The origins of the Eldgjá eruption are from the Katla volcano system. At the end of this day trekkers will reach Hólakjól Highland Centre and mountain lodge with a little more luxury than the previous two huts on this trek.
The last day of this expedition we give us time to look at the at an amazing waterfall that is hidden close to Hólaskjól Highland Center. After breakfast we drive to the main road, number 1 on the South Coast. Our first stop will be in the village Vik where we will have lunch and visit the Lava show. Our next stop will be on the Black beach and then we head for the waterfall Seljalandsfoss and finally to Reykjavík City.
What you can expect to see and experience
Landmannalaugar, Lake Langisjór, Peak Sveinstindur, Laki lava field, Eldgjá Lava field, Skaftrá river, Vatnajökull glacier, Highlands of Iceland from top of Sveinstindur peak, peak Uxatindar, Skælingar, Eldgjá fissure, Ófærufoss waterfall, Hólaskjól Highland Centre, Village Vík, The Black Beach, Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Tour briefing
Included
- Pickup and drop off in Reykjavík City
- Tour to Landmannalaugar with a two hour stop before we continue to Lake Langisjór where the trek begins.
- Professional guide
- The trek is supported. All luggage is transported between huts and the trekkers travel light during the day.
- Food and lunch pack for the day during the trek.
- Accommodation in mountain huts during the trek.
- Facility fee in Landmannalaugar.
- South Coast tour back to Reykjavík with a Black Beach stop.
Not Included
- Soft drinks
- Alcohol beverages
What to bring
- Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
- At least two sets of shirts
- Wool or fleece thermal mid layer.
- Hiking pants
- Waterproof and breathable pants and jacket
- Wool hat
- Gloves
- 2 to 3 pairs of hiking socks
- Waterproof hiking boots.
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Sport shoes - to wear when not hiking
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen & aftersun
- Travel sack for your baggage that is transported between cabins
- Day-back pack 25 - 40L
- Wading shoes for crossing rivers
- Health supplies and precription medicine
- Water bottle 1-2L
- Towel
- Swimming gear
Day 1
Reykjavík – Landmannalaugar – Peak Sveinstindur
Day 1: Reykjavík – Landmannalaugar – Peak Sveinstindur
The tour starts in Reykjavík. We pick up at Reykjavík bus stops and most hotels in Reykjavík. The pickup starts at 8.30.
After pickup in Reykjavík the course is set for Landmannalaugar, a place that is well known for its colorful mountains, hot springs, and beautiful lava fields. Short hiking is optional for those who are willing to wear down their hiking boots as we stop for 2 hours in Landmannalaugar.
Our guide will offer a tour through the Laugahraun Lava to the mountain Brennisteinsalda and back to Landmannalaugar through the Grænagil Canyon. This trek is 4,5 km and not technically complex. We will observe bubbling rivers, geothermal hot springs, beautiful lava, and colorful mountains.
Relaxing in the hot spring at Landmannalaugar is an option before we continue the journey.
Landmannalaugar is in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. It is a protected wilderness area that is known for its rugged and dramatic landscapes, geothermal features, colorful rhyolite mountains, and pristine wilderness.
From Landmannalaugar the tour continues in our 4×4 bus as we drive the F208 mountain road to Lake Langisjór and the Peak Sveinstindur. F208 is a challenging mountain route only suitable for 4×4 vehicles. It takes us through some of Iceland’s most stunning and rugged landscapes in the highlands and offers access to various natural attractions.
The trek begins at Lake Langisjór by hiking to the top of the Peak Sveinstindur. The view from the top is spectacular. The view stretches over the breath-taking valleys and mountains. The hike continues from Peak Sveinstindur to a cabin by the river Skaftá where the first night will be spent. The first day’s hike will be around 4-5 hours long. The starting destination at the bottom of Sveinstindur is around 600 meters above sea level and the top is 1090 meters. The elevation is therefore 5-600 meters.
Day 2
Sveinstindur hut and Skælingar hut
Day two starts off by a walk alongside the river Skaftá and by the valley Hvanngil and mountain Uxatindur. The second day’s hike can be expected to be around 18km in a fabulously colorful landscape. The views are a momentous part of the trip and are unforgettable. The hike’s destination for day two is Skælingar, where the most adventurous hikers will be able to bathe in a cold mere.
In Skælingar there is an old cabin that one’s belonged to the farmers in this part of Iceland. One of many such cabins in Iceland that were used in the autumn in the sheep round-up, when farmers collected sheep from the Highland.
One such place is the wonderful world of unusual lava formation at Skælingar. A place where everything is calm and quiet but a place that looks strange and exotic. In Skælingar there are many amazing lava formations from Skaftáreldar that are beautiful scenery.
The day’s trek is around 18 km long. We can expect the trek to take 8 hours.
Day 3
Skælingar hut – Hólaskjol Highland Centre
This day starts with a trek to the mountain Gjátindur from the top of which a magnificent view of Iceland can be seen. From Gjátindur is a good view over the Eldgjá fissure wich is a 70 km long canyon. The trail continues down Gjátindur into the lava canyon and to the infamous waterfall Ófærufoss – a popular destination for a lunch break before continuing the trail to Hólaskjól Highland Center. The group will have barbecue dinner in the evening and spend the night in a cabin in Hólaskjól.
The day’s trek is around 18 km long, estimated to be 8 hours.
Eldgjá is a fissure created by eruptions that took place in the year 934. The fissure is 60 km long and forms a canyon that extends from the mountain Gjátindur to the glacier Mýrdalsjökull in the southeast. We will observe the fissure and take a good look at the waterfall Ófærufoss.
The total lava flow from the Eldgjá eruption is estimated to be around 19 km3. That makes the Eldgjá eruption the most volumetric lava flow from one eruption in historical time. The origins of the Eldgjá Canyon eruption are from the Katla volcano system.
Day 4
Hólaskjól Higland Centre – Reykjavík
After breakfast there is time to look at an amazing waterfall that is hidden close to Hólaskjól Highland Center. From Hólaskjól Highland Centre we drive to the main road, number 1 on the South Coast. Our first stop will be in the village of Vík where we will have lunch. Our next stop will be on the Black beach and then we head for the waterfall Seljalandsfoss and Reykjavík. Estimated arrival time in Reykjavík is around 17.00.