Laugavegur

The Laugavegur in Iceland is a stunning trek that spans 80 kilometers and typically takes about 5 days to complete. This popular route offers an array of breathtaking landscapes, from geothermal hot springs and multicolored rhyolite mountains to vast lava fields and pristine glacial rivers. Hikers will experience the raw beauty of Icelandic nature, including vibrant green valleys, black sand deserts, and snow-capped peaks. Each day on the trail brings new and unforgettable scenery. You can see our outdoor maps page to find all the specific maps of Iceland.

Starting at Landmannalaugar, famous for its hot springs and colorful mountains, the trek concludes at Skogar, known for its spectacular Skogafoss waterfall (you’ll find more information on how to get to the starting point of the itinerary later on this page). Along the way, trekkers will traverse the verdant Thorsmork valley and witness the contrast between the lush landscapes and the rugged highlands. The route offers a unique glimpse into Iceland’s diverse natural beauty, with each segment presenting a different aspect of the country’s geology and ecology.

Points of interest along the Laugavegur Trail include the stunning Alftavatn lake, the Thorsmork valley or waterfalls like Skogafoss. Outonome.com can assist trekkers in preparing for this adventure by providing detailed itineraries, including information on campsites, refuges, and resupply points, as well as offering customizable planning tools and downloadable GPX tracks.

You can use this Map of the Laugavegur with its steps to help you find your way around and prepare for your autonomous adventure. You can also activate your geolocation and locate yourself on the map, or press the waypoints to obtain information on the selected step.

A GPX (GPS Exchange Format) track is a file format used to record GPS positioning data, such as waypoints and tracks recorded during a hiking or trail activity, for example. It can be used to plan a hike, follow an existing route or share location information with others.

The Laugavegur GPX track, for example, follows the classical Laugavegur itinerary and includes all steps, such as: Landmannalaugar, Thórsmörk (Básar), Skógar, Fimmvörðuháls, Álftavatn, Brennisteinsalda, Háalda, Fimmvörðuskáli, Hvanngil, Skógafoss… Outonome.com offers you the Laugavegur track for free. Simply enter your email address in the field below and you’ll receive it immediately !

As the Laugavegur is not a loop, it can have 2 different starting points, depending on which way you do it. Here’s everything you need to know about how to get to the starting point of the Laugavegur and how to get back, in the normal way or in the inverse way:

First of all, here are several websites of Icelandic transport companies that can help you organize your trip to the Laugavegur: Strætó, Iceland ByBus.

• How to get to Landmannalaugar (start for normal way) : To reach Landmannalaugar from Reykjavik, you can take a bus managed by Iceland ByBus, which operates a daily service from June 10 to September 15. The bus route is Reykjavik – Selfoss – Hella – Landmannalaugar. The journey begins at 7:15 AM in Reykjavik and arrives in Landmannalaugar around noon. The trip costs approximately 13,900 ISK (around $100) per person. Alternatively, you can drive, but the last 50 kilometers on the F208 track require a 4×4 vehicle due to rough terrain and river crossings.
• How to get back from Skо́gar (end for normal way) : From Skógar, located on Iceland’s main ring road, you can easily return to Reykjavik. Several bus lines cover this route, with a travel time of about 2 hours. The cost of the bus ride ranges from $60 to $80. Another option is hitchhiking, which is relatively easy on this well-traveled route.
• How to get to Skо́gar (start for inverse way) : Starting your trek in Skógar is straightforward, as it is accessible by road. From Reykjavik, you can take a bus or drive the 2-hour journey along the main ring road. Bus services are frequent and well-connected, although they can be pricey, ranging from $60 to $80.
• How to get back from Landmannalaugar (end for inverse way) : To return from Landmannalaugar, you can catch the Iceland ByBus service that departs Landmannalaugar at 6:00 PM and arrives in Reykjavik around 9:30 PM. The journey takes approximately 3 hours, including a stop at Hella. Alternatively, you can drive back, but ensure your vehicle is suitable for the rough F208 track conditions. Hitchhiking is an option, though it may be more challenging because the vehicles are often full of people, supplies, and other items, as families typically travel to Landmannalaugar for their vacations.

Take a look at our photos taken on the Laugavegur to make you salivate while you wait to walk it, or even to make you want to do the route!

Here you’ll find more topics related to self-guided travel and the Laugavegur, in greater detail, exploring other possibilities, letting you discover new things about it and other ways to complete this itinerary !