Hiking Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail

The Laugavegur Trail is one of Iceland’s most popular multi-day treks, and for good reason. The scenery along the trail is otherworldly – from Martian red rocky landscapes and black volcanic ash mountains, to lush moss-filled valleys, waterfalls, river crossings and rainbows. The southern interior hike stretches for 55 km from Landmannalaugar to the valley of Þórsmörk, and can be done in three or four days with stays in huts or in your own tent.

The weather is famously moody, shifting in minutes from whiteouts, sleet or gale-force winds to bluebird skies. Despite its popularity, hikers are typically on their own, encountering others only briefly along the trail, or in the huts at the end of the day. These communal huts are a great way to meet like-minded people, and even create lifelong friendships. I had originally intended to continue my hike to Skógar over the Fimmvörðuháls Pass, but the bad weather rolled in and I was forced instead to get a bus back to Reykjavík.