Trek the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland: The Camping Edition
Tackle Iceland's otherworldly and legendary trek, sleeping out in the elements as you go for added wild-factor
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, English-speaking trekking guidesCamping & Guesthouse
2 nights in a Reykjavik guesthouse and 4 nights campingMeals
6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinnersTransfers
Transfers between Reykjavik and the trailhead, including luggage transfer by 4x4 between each campEquipment & Permits
Expedition tents, Thermarest sleeping mats, group mess tent, tables, chairs, cooking gear, all permits and entry feesSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
What's it like?
Trek through the multi-coloured Landmannalaugar mountains, past serene Lake Álftavatn, and into the surreal Valley of Thor
Tick off one of National Geographic's '20 Best Hikes in the World' to finish beneath the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano
Camp beside thermal rivers, epic glaciers and volcanic lakes for memorable sleep-outs and warm dips beneath Iceland’s midnight sun
Not a camper? Then check out our much-loved hut-to-hut edition of the Laugavegur Trail instead
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Reykjavik
Touchdown at Keflavik Airport and hop on the Flybus that whisks you to downtown Reykjavik. Check into your guesthouse and if you have spare time you can explore the city’s huge array of quaint bars, cafes, art museums and churches. Meet up with your fellow trekkers and guide at 18:00 for a chat through the adventure to come, then head out for dinner.
Day 2
Road trip to Landmannalaugar & warm up hike
Driving
Hiking
Grab an early breakfast then hop on the bus, settling in for a road trip through Iceland's highlands to the trailhead at Landmannalaugar. Arrive late morning, set up camp and grab some lunch before setting off for a warm-up hike in preparation for your trek. Hike up to the astonishing red and orange Ljótipollur crater, or if conditions are good you can opt for an ascent of Bláhnúkur (the 'blue mountain') to gaze over the landscape you'll be immersed in for the next week. At the end of the day grab a swim in the warm thermal waters of the Landmannalaugar River while the midnight sun lingers above. Settle in for your first night of camping in the Icelandic wilds.
Day 3
Set off on the Laugavegur Trail
Hiking
It's time to set off on one of the world’s great hikes – the Laugavegur Trail. Meander through the mesmerising rhyolite massifs toward the high plateau of Hrafntinnusker, into the heart of a vast caldera. This landscape is unlike anything else with a stunning array of pastel colours in one of the most active geothermal areas on earth. The area is dotted with countless fumaroles (pools of sulfurous mud), lava fields, crystal-clear lakes and pristine ice caps stretching as far as the eye can see. Descend from the caldera to the south through a series of hidden valleys nestled at the base of the Tindfjöll glacier, catching glimpses of the massive Myrdalsjökull glacier cap. Wind up your first day on the trail at Lake Álftavatn, where you'll set up camp for the night and tuck into dinner.
Day 4
Lake Álftavatn to the Myrdalsjökull glacier
Hiking
Unzip the tent and peer out at the lakeside setting, fuel up on coffee and breakfast and set off through the black desert of Emstrur. Pass a series of huge, lonesome, conical green mountains contrasting against the volcanic backdrop – this section of the trail is like nowhere else. At certain times in the summer the trail here gets interrupted by glacial rivers that you'll need to wade through. It's a chance to bond further with your fellow trekkers and show some teamwork, as these river crossings are definitely a group effort. Make your way around the Hattafell cone and eventually reach your campsite while gazing at the majestic Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
Day 5
The Thorsmörk Valley
Hiking
You'll have settled into the rhythm of life on the trail by now, waking under canvas before packing down camp and prepping for the day ahead. Trekking further on from Emstrur, you'll reach the impressive canyon of the Markarfljót this morning with roaring water flowing 200m below you. The trail runs along this immense gorge decorated with basalt sculptures for a while before continuing south towards Thorsmörk. Little by little the landscape softens and takes on the appearance of an alpine cirque. You'll reach the cheerful valley of Thorsmörk (Thor's Woods) as you hike the final stretch among Arctic birches and birdsong to the banks of the Krossa River. Set up camp in another beautiful spot for your final night sleeping out in the Icelandic elements.
Day 6
The final stretch of the Laugavegur Trail
Hiking
Pack down camp one last time and set off for the final stretch of the Laugavegur Trail through the surreal setting of 'Thor’s wood'. Meander on further between the black canyons veined with fluorescent green and volcanic rock formations sculpted by wind and sea spray, flanked by the steel-coloured rivers and the sparkling ice cap of Myrdallsjökull. The landscape the past few days has been otherworldly, so soak up the last of this truly unique trek ahead of the finish line where you'll reluctantly hop in the van for the return drive to civilisation, arriving in Reykjavik in the early evening. Enjoy some creature comforts at the hotel and head out to toast the end of an epic trek with a beer and a bite downtown.
Day 7
Bid farewell in Reykjavik
Your adventure comes to an end today. Check out of the guesthouse this morning and either explore some more of the land of fire and ice, or head back to the airport in time for your flight home.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Each day will start with a hearty breakfast of muesli, porridge, crispbread and fillings, eggs and bread accompanied by plenty of tea and coffee. Every morning you'll prepare and carry a picnic lunch for the day which will consist of salads and sandwiches with salmon and cold meats, fruit and cakes, among other options. Dinner is prepared and eaten together after reaching camp at the end of each day. Your guide will seek to introduce you to the little-known gastronomy of Iceland and will ensure a regular supply of vegetables and fruits. Some of your host's favourite dishes are leek fondue with shrimp, salmon en papillote and sweet potatoes, leg of lamb with mustard, salmon pasta, pilsur (Icelandic hot dogs), dhals and stews. You'll also try skyr (local yoghurt) and kleinur (Icelandic doughnut).
This is a participatory camping expedition, so your help with food prep is much appreciated, particularly in the evenings. The whole group works as a team to cook dinner, it creates a great atmosphere as you reflect on the day's adventures together.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for – please just request this on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Reykjavik
Before and after the trek you'll stay in one of a selection of 3-star hotels dotted around the centre of Reykjavik. Depending on availability it'll be either Aurora Guesthouse, Alba Guesthouse, Hotel Klettur or Hotel Cabin. They are all similarly located, just a stone's throw from bars and cafes in the heart of Reykjavik. You'll stay in twin-share rooms as standard, with private bathrooms.
On the trek
During the trek, you’ll camp at sites along the Laugavegur Trail located near the mountain refuges that punctuate the route. The campsites have toilet facilities, and hot showers may be available for a fee of around £3/€4/$4 per shower at the huts. Camping along the route allows you to enjoy the spectacular landscapes around you and offers a bit of space and calm outside of the hustle and bustle of the mountain huts. Your host will provide you with a Simond MAKALU T3 three-person tent for two people to share, as well as an individual self-inflating Thermarest mattress. The camp is set up around a large mess tent which has a communal table and chairs where you'll share the stories of the day with a good meal. The assembly of the mess tent and individual tents is carried out by the group as a whole – this is all part of the adventure!
Upgrades
For solo travellers wanting their own space, there is the option to upgrade to a private room for the two nights in Reykjavik and a solo tent for the four nights of camping if you would like to do so. Please note, this is subject to availability and accommodation can be tricky to secure in Iceland, so please request this at the time of booking and your host will do their best to confirm. See Optional Extras for prices.
This trip has been rated as Challenging
You'll need to have good fitness levels for this trek. You'll be hiking for 5-7 hours each day on five consecutive days of hiking. The route isn’t overly technical and doesn’t reach high altitudes, so beginner hikers will be fine – providing you have good fitness levels and a pair of broken-in hiking boots! The camping on this trip adds another layer to the adventure: Iceland is a place known for its harsh elements and fickle weather. This adventure is best enjoyed with a come-what-may attitude towards whatever the Icelandic weather gods throw at you. Remember there is no such thing as bad weather – only bad clothing... In short, ever-changing and awesome. It is sometimes a bit rocky but very accessible for those used to hiking over uneven terrain. You will need to cross rivers almost every day and the water level can fluctuate due to seasonal conditions – from stone to stone to get to the other side, to full-on wading. Neoprene socks and sandals or neoprene shoes (beach shoes) are the best choice to bring along and trekking poles might also come in handy. Your guide can provide you with advice. For those bringing their phone, connection can be unstable and you might need to hike up the nearest hilltop to find a network. There's no WiFi on the route, but you might be able to connect to 4G in certain places along the trail.
We've written a detailed guide to hiking the Laugavegur trail with plenty of information on what to expect. The day-by-day itinerary in the guide is based on our shorter hut-to-hut edition but you'll do the exact same route from Day 3 to Day 6 on this camping edition after your warm-up hike on Day 2.
What will I need to carry?
During the trekking days, you'll only need to carry a small daypack (approximately 30 litres) containing personal belongings, extra clothing layers for changeable weather, your packed lunch and water. Your main bag is transported between each camp spot by 4x4 vehicle, along with the group camping gear and food supplies.
As the old Icelandic saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes”. Icelandic weather is famously fickle so you’ll need to prepare for anything – from balmy all-day sunshine in the mid-twenties, to wind, rain – and everything in between! This is all part of the adventure, but be sure to pack good waterproofs in case the rain gods come calling. You're also advised to bring dry bags, including something to keep your sleeping bag dry, in case it gets wet during the pack down and luggage transfer each day. Remember that in Iceland summer means nearly 24 hours of daylight, so don’t forget your eye mask!
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Reykjavik accommodation
Flexible – arrive any time on Day 1
Ends
Reykjavik city centre
Flexible – depart any time on Day 7
Transfers
At Keflavik Airport you'll need to hop on one of the frequent Flybus services operated in connection with all arriving flights at Keflavik Airport. You can buy a ticket in advance on the Flybus website or at the Flybus desk in the Keflavik terminal: tickets cost £20/€24/$27 each way. The bus is very easy to find, right outside the arrival terminal – just look for signs for Flybus. Your host will provide details on where you need to get off the bus and how to find your hotel in the pre-departure information you are sent prior to travelling to Iceland. There is a group briefing at 18:00 to chat about the adventure ahead, before everyone heads out for dinner in Reykjavik.
On Day 7 you can grab any Flybus from the various hop-on points around the city, to get back to Keflavik Airport in time for your onward flight.
Travel options
There are regular direct flights to Iceland from airports across the UK, Europe and North America.
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What do I need to bring?
Bags
- Small backpack to trek with (25-30 litres)
- Main luggage (approx. 60 litres) - maximum 15kg; must be a soft bag, no hard cases please! This will be transferred for you from camp-to-camp
- Waterproof liners for both packs
- Drybag or waterproof bag for your sleeping bag
Clothes
- Hiking boots (worn-in, waterproof and with ankle support)
- Long-sleeved thermal tops/breathable wicking layers (wool or synthetic)
- T-shirts
- Fleece jacket or similar
- Lightweight hiking trousers/shorts (quick-drying, e.g. softshell)
- Waterproof jacket with hood (windproof and breathable, e.g. Gore-Tex or similar)
- Waterproof trousers (windproof and breathable, e.g. Gore-Tex or similar)
- Gaiters (optional, but recommended for June/early July departures)
- Lightweight down/synthetic fill jacket
- Lightweight gloves (wool or synthetic)
- Underwear
- Hiking socks (2-3 pairs, wool or synthetic)
- Buff or neckscarf
- Swimwear (for thermal pools)
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Something to sleep in
- Sandals/beach shoes/old trainers for crossing rivers, and a pair of neoprene socks
- Clothes and shoes/sandals for the evenings at camp
Other
- Sleeping bag, 3-4 season with a comfort rating up to -5°C
- Sleeping bag liner (optional)
- Inflatable pillow and pillow case
- Eyemask
- Walking poles (optional but recommended, with rubber tips to protect the environment)
- Reusable water bottle x 1 litre (bring 2 of these if you have room)
- Headtorch (especially for late August departures)
- Universal travel adapter
- Power bank or solar charger (small solar cells tend not to work too well in Iceland so a power bank is preferable)
- Spare camera batteries
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Earplugs
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks
- Cards or travel games for evenings at camp
Double room in Reykjavik
Payable Before Departure
Double room in Reykjavik
… Per Night
Single room in Reykjavik
Payable Before Departure
Single room in Reykjavik
… Per Night
Optional Private Room and tent upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room and tent upgrade
…
Optional private tent upgrade (for camping nights only)
Payable Before Departure
Optional private tent upgrade (for camping nights only)
…
Laugavegur Trek
A week after returning from the trip I am still dreaming of Iceland. The trip did not disappoint in any way. So difficult to encapsulate in a review - multi coloured mountains, volcanos, lava, glaciers, flowers, trees, snow, sunshine, rain, rainbows, rivers, streams, boulders, black sand and the stunning, stunning views in all directions, the list goes on. An overwhelming sense of being close to nature and in the wilderness and 100's of photos.
Out of this world!
It’s difficult to put into words how great this trip was. The trail itself & the scenery were on a difficult scale.. absolutely stunning varied landscapes & felt so vast. Loved the fact that we were camping too, waking up to incredible views.
Steven, our guide, was just awesome. He worked incredibly hard but made it look easy.. always calm & checking in regularly with everyone individually. The food & snacks were plentiful & the evening meals he cooked were amazing. If you do the trip this summer you’ll be incredibly lucky to have him as your guide.
And last (but definitely not least), the group on the trip were brilliant. A mixture of solo travellers & couples which just clicked, creating a positive & cohesive team feeling. Such good fun, everyone got involved & helped each other out & there was a lot of laughter.
The combination of the group, Steven & the scenery made this an unforgettable experience.. can’t recommend it enough.
Great trip of a lifetime with amazing scenery
The camping edition of this trek was great - a good way to enjoy the amazing scenery even more. It was very well organised all the way through. It was good to have a warm up hike and stay the night in Landmannalaugar so we could sit in the hot springs in the evening. The trek was 3 days of wild remote countryside with lots of variety. There is also a nights camp and a half day hike at the end so you don't have to rush off - with stunning scenery. Our guide Steven was excellent - very knowledgeable, with a good sense of humour and always watching out for everyone. He planned and cooked some amazing meals on the camp cooker and there were always lots of tasty snacks to keep us going! An all round great trip with a bunch of fun like-minded people. Would certainly recommend it over the Hut version.
Amazing!
Iceland is such an incredible country. This trip was one we will remember forever! MBA ensured that we were prepared and that everything went very smoothly. From prepping a kitlist, to before and after trip lodging, and throughout our Trek we were spectacularly taking care of. Our local guide, Steven, was knowledge, personable, and overall lovely. I highly recommend doing this Trek to experience this otherworldly location!
Book this trip.
There are few words which encompass the scale of the scenery on the Laugevegur trail. Every single corner revealed another breathtaking sight, and the nature of the landscape changed hour by hour. It was the most diverse and awe inspiring walk I’ve ever done. I leave Iceland with a rested mind, a restored soul…and around 7000 photographs. Stephen, our guide, was simply wonderful. Calm, super fun, and a fantastic cook. Meals were waaaay beyond the quality expected for a camping through-hike. You’ll be in great hands if you are trekking with him this summer.
Do not worry about booking alone-the group bonded rapidly, and we had so much fun both during the hikes, and at camp. Bring some group card games for chilly nights in the group tents.
Do have a relatively good level of fitness-the first day is a long walk (15miles, rather than km as the website says!) with climbs and descents. Neoprene shoes or crocs are ideal for the river crossings (which are really fun!). Minor practical suggestions-no need for a headtorch…it’s light 24/7, and our guide had lunchboxes for us, so save yourself the space. We didn’t need water purification tablets-there was fresh (glacial temperature!) drinking water at all the huts.
In summary, do it. It’s the trek of a lifetime!
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 113kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
As the Icelandic Tourist Board explains in this video, it's confined to the Reykjanes Peninsula and not affecting travel at all. Iceland is open for business and perfectly safe.
If the hotel in Reykjavik does not have enough space to store your luggage then it is possible to store it in the luggage lockers at BSI Central Station (the departure point for the bus to Landmannalaugar). Your host will offer some guidance, but this is best done on the evening of Day 1 as you'll have an early start on Day 2 to catch the bus to Landmannalaugur. On Day 6 you'll return to BSI Bus Terminal, where you can collect your excess luggage before transferring back to your hotel in Reykjavik.
Alternatively, there are four other centrally located places in Reykjavik where you can store luggage. Speak to your host about the options, or you can pre-book here.
Tipping is welcomed but not mandatory in Iceland and should be at the discretion of each individual. It's important to note that tips do not serve as a substitute for fair wages; the guides on this trip are paid well and receive excellent care from your host. If you find yourself pleased with the services provided by your guide, we suggest a tip in the range of £30-£40 per person for the whole trip, which equates to 5000-6600 ISK. If you feel you received average or subpar service there is no expectation to leave a tip.
The tap water in Iceland is safe to drink and you'll be able to fill up from the taps at the mountain refuges located close to each campsite that you'll stay at. There are also natural water sources to fill up from along the route – your guide will provide guidance on this, but we recommend bringing along water purification options if you wish to do this. Have a read of our guide to the best water filters for adventurers.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
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DEPARTURE DATES
Sunday • 4th August 2024
to Saturday • 10th August 2024
Sunday • 11th August 2024
to Saturday • 17th August 2024
