You may have heard of the Inca Trail, Camino de Santiago and the Appalachian Trail, all popular overnight treks with their own merits. But did you know that Iceland has its own world class hike? It’s called the Laugavegur and it’s only a three hour drive from Reykjavik to the most common starting point, the stunning area of Landmannalaugar. From there it’s 55 kilometers to Thorsmork, home to one of Iceland’s most beautiful forests.
- Take the boots off again! Crossing rivers is commonplace on the Laugavegur trail.
I was lucky enough to make the journey a few weeks ago, completing it in two days that were gruelling, but that I would not change for the world. Day one featured epic climbs, surreal lava fields, bubbling geothermal areas and a most-welcome warm hut at the end of the day. Day two was much flatter, but filled with river crossings and an ash storm that tested my inner Bear Grylls. And I have never seen so many rainbows in my life. One literally followed us for four hours taking on different shapes and levels of brightness.
Ash storm!
The hike should be done between mid-May and mid-September and is best undertaken with a guide. Many Reykjavik-based companies can provide personal guides or you can join a larger group to save money. And if you want to extend the hike, consider the Fimmvordurhals hike which is a one day challenging hike from Thorsmork to Skogar via the infamous Eyafjallajokull, where the ground is still steaming from the 2010 eruption. Happy trails!
When in doubt, hike towards the rainbow!
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