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4 Day Laugavegur Trekking Tour | Camping in Tents

4 days, 3 nightsGroup: Small group, up to 14 peopleModeratePick-up in ReykjavíkAge 15+July to August
Hiker looking over the coloured valley at LandmannalaugarThe rhyolite mountains at LandmannalaugarHikers on the trail below a red peakHiker looking down over a green highland valley
Braided glacial river in Þórsmörk

This Laugavegur camping trek is a 4 day guided hike from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, sleeping in tents at three highland campsites, with meals and luggage transfers included.

LandmannalaugarHrafntinnuskerÁlftavatnEmstrurÞórsmörk
  • The full Laugavegur trail from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk in 4 days
  • Three nights in tents at the Landmannalaugar, Álftavatn and Emstrur campsites
  • A soak in the natural hot spring at Landmannalaugar on the first evening
  • Obsidian fields, black sand desert, glacier views and the Markarfljót canyon
  • Guided throughout, with meals included and your main bag carried by a support vehicle

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Pick-up in ReykjavíkPick-up between 7:00 and 7:30 in the morning from Reykjavík City Hall, Hallgrímskirkja church or Reykjavík Campsite, with later stops in Selfoss and Hella.
2The rhyolite mountains at LandmannalaugarDay 1: Reykjavík to LandmannalaugarDrive into the highlands, then a warm-up hike of about 8 km through the Laugahraun lava field and the Grænagil gorge to the Bláhnjúkur volcano.
The rhyolite mountains at LandmannalaugarHiker looking over the coloured valley at LandmannalaugarThe warm bathing stream at Landmannalaugar

You drive into the highlands to Landmannalaugar, the start of the Laugavegur trail, and take a warm-up hike of about 8 km through the Laugahraun lava field and the Grænagil gorge, with a climb towards the Bláhnjúkur volcano. It takes 4 to 5 hours. You can end the day in the natural hot spring before the first night in the tents.

Distance · about 8 kmWalking time · 4–5 hours
Read our Landmannalaugar guide →
3Hikers on the trail below a red peakDay 2: Landmannalaugar to ÁlftavatnThe longest day of the trek, over the obsidian fields of Hrafntinnusker and past the Jökultungur geothermal area to the lake at Álftavatn.
Hikers on the trail below a red peakSteaming hot spring beside the trailHiker looking down over a green highland valley

The longest day of the trek, about 24 km and 8 to 9 hours, with around 900 m of ascent. The trail crosses the obsidian fields of Hrafntinnusker, passes the Jökultungur geothermal area and descends to the lake at Álftavatn, with a river crossing on the way. You camp at Álftavatn.

Distance · about 24 kmWalking time · 8–9 hours
Read our Landmannalaugar guide →
4Group crossing the black sand desertDay 3: Álftavatn to EmstrurAcross the black sands of Mælifellssandur with glacier views, ending near the Markarfljót canyon.
Group crossing the black sand desertGreen cone-shaped mountain above a lakeHikers wading across a river on the Laugavegur trail

A flatter day of about 15 km and 6 to 7 hours, with another river crossing early on, then across the black sands of Mælifellssandur with glacier views, ending near the Markarfljót canyon. You camp at Emstrur.

Distance · about 15 kmWalking time · 6–7 hours
5Braided glacial river in ÞórsmörkDay 4: Emstrur to ÞórsmörkThe last stretch of the trail down into the Þórsmörk valley, then the highland bus back to Reykjavík.
Braided glacial river in ÞórsmörkHikers in the birch wood at ÞórsmörkIcelandic sheep on the trail

The last stretch of about 15 km and 6 to 7 hours, losing around 300 m of height on the way down into the Þórsmörk valley, where the trek ends. From there a highland bus takes you back to Reykjavík.

Distance · about 15 kmWalking time · 6–7 hours
Read our Þórsmörk guide →

About the Laugavegur camping trek

This Laugavegur camping trek is a guided 4 day hike on Iceland's best-known trail. You start at the coloured mountains of Landmannalaugar and finish in the valley of Þórsmörk, with an English-speaking guide all the way and three nights in tents at campsites along the route.

The days are not equal. Day one is a warm-up walk of about 8 km around Landmannalaugar, with time for the natural hot spring afterwards. Day two is the long one: about 24 km and 8 to 9 hours on your feet, with around 900 m of ascent. Days three and four are about 15 km each. You wade across rivers on the way, so river crossing shoes are on the packing list.

Camping here means sleeping in a tent and bringing your own sleeping bag. Meals are eaten together in a large shared tent, and everyone helps the guides to prepare them. The campsites have toilets and tap water, showers are paid on site, and there is very little electricity, so a power bank is useful.

The route is the same trail that the hut tours follow, and your main bag is carried between camps in the same way, so you walk with a day pack only. The difference is the night. In a hut you sleep in a shared bunk room indoors. On this tour you sleep in a tent, which is simpler and puts you closer to the highland weather. The group is kept to 14 people at most.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost
  • Special diet meals
  • Single tent
  • Hiking boot rental
  • Hiking pole rental
  • Sleeping bag rental
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers rental
  • Rental package with hiking boots, poles, waterproof jacket and trousers, and a sleeping bag

Included

  • Tent accommodation, nights 1–3
  • All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 4
  • English-speaking trekking guide
  • Transport to and from the trail
  • Luggage transfers between campsites

Not included

  • Sleeping bag and travel pillow (bring your own)
  • Breakfast on day 1 and dinner on day 4
  • Campsite showers (paid on site)
  • Single tent for solo travellers (optional extra)
  • Special diets such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free (a supplement applies)

What to bring

  • Waterproof hiking boots
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Thermal underwear, warm hat and gloves
  • Sleeping bag and travel pillow
  • River crossing shoes
  • Swimsuit and towel
  • Sunglasses
  • A day pack of 25 to 40 litres
  • A water bottle of 1 to 2 litres
  • A waterproof duffel bag for your main luggage (one bag, up to 20 kg)

Good to know

  • 4 days, 3 nights in tents at the Landmannalaugar, Álftavatn and Emstrur campsites, with meals eaten in a large shared tent
  • Minimum age 15, difficulty rated moderate, with river crossings on the route
  • Runs only in summer, in July and August. The 2026 season is over, and bookings are open for July to August 2027
  • Maximum group size of 14, with an English-speaking guide throughout
  • Free cancellation up to 14 days before the start. If you cancel between 14 days and 48 hours before, 50% is charged. No refund within 48 hours of the start.

Questions people ask

How fit do we need to be?

You should be comfortable walking 6 to 9 hours a day for several days in a row. The second day is the hardest, at about 24 km with around 900 m of ascent. It is a real trek, not a casual walk.

Do we carry our own luggage?

No. You carry a day pack with your lunch, water, rain gear and river crossing shoes. Your main bag, one per person and up to 20 kg, is moved between campsites by a support vehicle. A waterproof duffel bag is better than a suitcase because luggage can get wet.

What is the camping like?

You sleep in a tent each night and bring your own sleeping bag. Meals are eaten together in a large shared tent, and everyone helps to prepare them. The campsites have toilets and tap water, showers are paid on site, and there is very little electricity. Solo travellers can add a single tent as an extra.

Can we do this outside summer?

No, this tour runs only in July and August. Bookings are open for the 2027 season.

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From249,990 ISKPer person

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