We depart from Reykjavík after breakfast at 07:00 am (pick up routes begins at 06:30 am), heading towards the Highlands of Iceland. Today will be a relatively calm day as we travel to the Landmannalaugar campsite. Upon arrival, we will set up our tents and have time for an easy first trek to get accustomed to the terrain and enjoy our initial hiking experience.

Distance: 11 km
Ascent: 402 m
Descent: 380 m
Duration: 4-5 hours

Landmannalaugar

The real adventure begins! After an early breakfast and packing up our tents, we will start our hike. Today, we will cover the longest distance, trekking through the Laugahraun lava field and ascending towards the geothermal area of Stórihver. This section offers panoramic views of the valley, and on clear days, you can see the surrounding glaciers.

Hrafntinnusker

As we ascend, the landscape changes dramatically. We will reach Hrafntinnusker, known for its impressive deposits of black obsidian. Hrafntinnusker also houses the Höskuldsskáli mountain hut, but we will continue our route. In this area, snow and ice formations can remain even during the summer, creating an almost surreal landscape.

Jökultungur

The trail from Hrafntinnusker to Álftavatn begins with a descent into the Jökultungur valley, known for its beautiful mountain formations and colorful sediments. Here, you will find streams and small lakes, and the flora changes as you descend, with more vegetation and wildflowers.

Álftavatn

The section ends at Lake Álftavatn, surrounded by mountains and a serene landscape. Álftavatn, meaning “Swan Lake,” is where we will camp and relax after the hike. The view of the lake with the mountains in the background is one of the highlights of the route.

Distance: 24 km

Ascent: 629 m

Descent: 692 m

Duration: 8-9 hours

Álftavatn

The hike from Álftavatn to Emstrur begins in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Álftavatn, surrounded by mountains and green meadows. This spot is perfect for enjoying a peaceful sunrise before starting the hike.

Crossing the Brattháls River

The route continues towards the Brattháls river crossing, where you will cross the Kaldaklofskvísl river. Here, the panoramic views of the valley and surrounding mountains are stunning. It’s a great spot to stop and take photos of the spectacular landscape.

Hattafell and Mælifellssandur Desert

After crossing the river, the hike takes you through the black sand desert of Mælifellssandur. Along the way, you will pass near Mount Hattafell, a solitary mountain rising above the desert landscape, offering a striking contrast.

Markarfljót Gorge

Before reaching Emstrur, the route skirts the impressive gorge of the Markarfljót river. This deep and steep canyon offers dramatic views and is one of the highlights of this section of the hike.

Emstrur

The day ends at the Emstrur campsite, located in a more arid area but with spectacular views of the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. Here you can rest and prepare for the next stage of the hike.

Distance: 15 km
Ascent: 260 m
Descent: 258 m
Duration: 4-5 hours

Emstrur

From the Emstrur campsite, the hike begins with a descent into the valley, crossing small streams and tundra landscapes. The transition from the black sand desert to greener areas is remarkable.

Crossing the Fremri-Emstruá River

One of the challenges of this stage is crossing the Fremri-Emstruá river, which can be which can have risen quite high depending on the time of year. It is important to be cautious when crossing this river.

Alnus Forest

As you advance, you will notice a change in vegetation, entering an area with more tree cover. This forest of alders (Alnus) provides shade and a different environment from the open landscapes of the previous stages.

Thórsmörk Valley

The Thórsmörk valley is known for its stunning views and dense vegetation. Here, green mountains, glaciers, and rivers create a dreamlike landscape. It is one of the most beautiful places on the entire hike.

Distance: 16 km
Ascent: 214 m
Descent: 482 m
Duration: 6-7 hours

Crossing the Krossá River

From the Langidalur hut, the trail stretches a couple of kilometers until reaching the pedestrian bridge that crosses the Krossá River. Once on the southern bank, you will enter Goðaland, where a dense forest of willows and birches thrives under the shelter of the Strákagil canyon.

Kattarhryggir Ridge

From here, the path ascends through Kattarhryggir along a well-marked but somewhat challenging trail, especially for those with vertigo. This section leads to a natural balcony offering one of the most spectacular views in Iceland.

Morinsheiði Plateau

The views from the eastern edge of Morinsheiði are truly breathtaking. From here, you can admire the Mýrdalsjökull glacier with the Katla volcano towering above it.

Magni and Móði

After crossing the Morinsheiði plateau, we will traverse Heljarkambur, a narrow ridge equipped with a chain for support, and continue over Brattafönn Hill. Goðahraun is the perfect spot to observe the volcanic cones formed during the 2010 eruptions that disrupted air traffic across Europe. All that remains is to retrace our steps back to the starting point.

Distance: 11 km
Ascent: 228 m
Descent: 304 m
Duration: 4-5 hours

Before leaving the highlands and returning to civilization, we will spend the morning walking and further exploring this “land of Gods” to take with us one last memory of a

remote territory shaped by the forces of nature.

With each landscape more spectacular than the last, Thórsmörk offers visitors numerous trails for all skill levels, making it an ideal destination for hiking and trekking

enthusiasts.

Once we return to Thórsmörk, we will be picked up at the camp and transferred to Reykjavík, marking the end of our journey.

Tindfjallahringur í Thórsmörk

Distance: 10 km

Ascent: 500 m

Descent: 500 m

Duration: 4-5 hours