Self-Launched Laugavegur Trail Hut-to-Hut Trek, Iceland
6 days · Iceland
Much Better Adventures charges £1,295
No-markup version: ~£510 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Iceland's legendary Laugavegur Trail is one of the world's great hikes — and you absolutely don't need a guided group to do it. This self-launched version follows the same 55km route through Landmannalaugar's multi-coloured rhyolite mountains, steaming hot springs, black lava deserts and glacial valleys, finishing beneath Eyjafjallajökull at Þórsmörk. You'll book your own mountain hut bunks directly through the Icelandic Mountain Guides or Ferðafélag Íslands (FI), catch the public Reykjavik Excursions bus to the trailhead, and stay in budget guesthouses in Reykjavik at either end. All costs are approximate estimates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Reykjavik
Reykjavik
Fly into Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and take the Flybus or Strætó public bus into central Reykjavik (~£20 one-way). Check into a budget guesthouse or hostel near the city centre — there are plenty of well-rated options in the Laugavegur street area. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Reykjavik: walk up to Hallgrímskirkja church, browse the harbour, and grab dinner at one of the city's many casual spots (try a Noodle Station bowl for ~£12 or a Bæjarins Beztu pylsa hot dog for under £5). Pick up any last-minute trail snacks from Bónus supermarket.
🚌Flybus from KEF to Reykjavik BSÍ terminal (~£20) or Strætó Route 55 (cheapest option, ~£5 but less direct)
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in central Reykjavik (e.g. Kex Hostel, Loft Hostel, or Reykjavik Downtown Hostel) — dorm from ~£35/night, private twin from ~£70/night
- →Arrive at KEF and take Flybus or Strætó bus to central Reykjavik (~£20)
- →Check into a central budget guesthouse or hostel
- →Explore Reykjavik on foot: Hallgrímskirkja, Old Harbour, Laugavegur shopping street
- →Stock up on trail snacks from Bónus supermarket
- →Dinner at Noodle Station or similar budget eatery
Bus to Landmannalaugar & First Day on the Trail
Landmannalaugar → Hrafntinnusker
Rise early and head to BSÍ Bus Terminal by 06:30. Take the Reykjavik Excursions (RE) Highland Bus to Landmannalaugar — book in advance on re.is as seats fill fast in summer (~£55 one-way). The bus journey takes around 4–5 hours through dramatic highland terrain. Arrive at the geothermal hub of Landmannalaugar, have lunch, and take a dip in the famous natural hot spring before hitting the trail. The first section climbs steeply through sulphur vents, yellow and red rhyolite ridges and obsidian fields before descending to Hrafntinnusker hut. Book your hut bunk directly with Ferðafélag Íslands (fi.is) well in advance — huts sell out months ahead. Dinner is cooked communally or bring your own lightweight trail meals.
🚌Reykjavik Excursions bus BSÍ → Landmannalaugar (~£55, book at re.is)
🛏Hrafntinnusker Mountain Hut — mixed dorm bunk, book via Ferðafélag Íslands (fi.is), ~£40/night pp
- →Take Reykjavik Excursions Highland Bus from BSÍ to Landmannalaugar (~£55)
- →Soak in the Landmannalaugar natural geothermal hot spring (free)
- →Hike Stage 1: Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker (~11km, 4–5hrs, 590m ascent)
- →Pass sulphur vents, obsidian fields and multi-coloured rhyolite ridges
- →Overnight at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut (book via fi.is, ~£40/night dorm)
Hrafntinnusker to Álftavatn (Swan Lake)
Hrafntinnusker → Álftavatn
After breakfast in the hut, set off on the second stage of the Laugavegur Trail. Descend through Jökultungur, a landscape of steaming hot springs, boiling mud pools and vivid mineral colours. The trail then sweeps south, opening up vast views across black volcanic plains towards the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. The day's hiking is largely downhill. You'll arrive at Álftavatn ('Swan Lake') hut, beautifully situated beside a turquoise glacial lake. This is a popular overnight stop, so pre-booking is essential. Shower available at this hut for a small fee (~£2).
🚌On foot along the Laugavegur Trail
🛏Álftavatn Mountain Hut — mixed dorm bunk, book via Ferðafélag Íslands (fi.is), ~£40/night pp
- →Hike Stage 2: Hrafntinnusker to Álftavatn (~12km, 4–5hrs, net descent 615m)
- →Traverse Jökultungur with its steaming hot springs and mud pools
- →Enjoy panoramic views towards Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers
- →Arrive at Álftavatn and relax by the glacial lake
- →Overnight at Álftavatn mountain hut (book via fi.is, ~£40/night dorm)
Álftavatn to Botnar (via Ancient Volcanoes & Black Deserts)
Álftavatn → Emstrur (Botnar)
Today is the longest and most varied day of the trek. Skirt the base of the green conic volcano Stórasúla and cross several rivers (waterproof boots and/or trekking poles essential). The trail then transitions into the vast, eerie black sand desert of Mælifellssandur — a truly otherworldly landscape. Continue past the ancient volcano Hattfell and into the greener pasturelands of the Emstrur region. Take a short side-trip to the dramatic Markarfljót canyon, sliced nearly 200m into the rock. Finish at Botnar hut for the night. Pack a hearty lunch — resupply options are zero between huts.
🚌On foot along the Laugavegur Trail
🛏Botnar (Emstrur) Mountain Hut — mixed dorm bunk, book via Ferðafélag Íslands (fi.is), ~£40/night pp
- →Hike Stage 3: Álftavatn to Emstrur/Botnar (~15km, 6–7hrs)
- →Multiple river crossings — poles and waterproof gaiters recommended
- →Cross the black sand desert of Mælifellssandur
- →Side-trip to Markarfljót canyon viewpoint (~200m deep)
- →Overnight at Botnar/Emstrur mountain hut (book via fi.is, ~£40/night dorm)
Botnar to Þórsmörk & Bus Back to Reykjavik
Emstrur → Þórsmörk → Reykjavik
The final and most dramatic stage of the Laugavegur Trail. Hike through the undulating valleys and gullies of Emstrur, with Mýrdalsjökull glacier looming close. The trail descends steeply into the birch forest haven of Þórsmörk ('Valley of Thor'), finishing in the shadow of Eyjafjallajökull — the infamous volcano. Celebrate completing one of the world's great hikes! From Þórsmörk, take the Reykjavik Excursions bus back to Reykjavik (~£55, book in advance at re.is — this is a 4WD highland bus through river crossings). Return to your Reykjavik guesthouse for a well-deserved shower and dinner out.
🚌Reykjavik Excursions Highland Bus from Þórsmörk → Reykjavik BSÍ (~£55, book at re.is)
🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in central Reykjavik — same as night 1
- →Hike Stage 4: Emstrur to Þórsmörk (~15km, 6–7hrs, 1352ft ascent/2251ft descent)
- →Finish the Laugavegur Trail beneath Eyjafjallajökull volcano
- →Explore Þórsmörk valley — birch forests and glacial rivers
- →Take Reykjavik Excursions bus from Þórsmörk back to Reykjavik (~£55)
- →Celebratory dinner in Reykjavik
- →Overnight at budget guesthouse/hostel in central Reykjavik (~£35–70)
Explore Reykjavik or Head Home
Reykjavik
Check out of your accommodation and make the most of your final hours in Iceland. Options include a visit to the iconic Blue Lagoon geothermal spa (book in advance at bluelagoon.com, ~£55–80), a whale watching tour from the Old Harbour (~£60, bookable via GetYourGuide), or simply wandering the colourful streets of Reykjavik. When ready, take the Flybus from BSÍ terminal back to Keflavik Airport (~£20).
🚌Flybus from BSÍ terminal to KEF (~£20)
- →Optional: Blue Lagoon geothermal spa (~£55–80, pre-book at bluelagoon.com)
- →Optional: Whale watching from Reykjavik Old Harbour (~£60 via GetYourGuide)
- →Explore Reykjavik's street art, cafes and galleries at leisure
- →Take Flybus back to Keflavik Airport (~£20)
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£510 | £1,295 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £785 per person (61%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£510
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Laugavegur Trail Hut-to-Hut Trek, Iceland cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £510 per person for 6 days in Iceland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £1,295 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £510 — a saving of roughly £785 (61%) per person.
How long is the Iceland trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through Iceland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a hiking, adventure, backpacker trip through Iceland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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