Reykjavík: 6-Day Holiday Package Laugavegur Hike Women-Only

Over 4 days and 3 nights, explore Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail from Reykjavík. Your journey begins with travel into the highlands and a start on the Laugavegur route, continues with daily hikes through rhyolite mountains, black deserts, and geothermal areas, and concludes with your final hike into Þórsmörk.

Stay in mountain huts and travel on foot with a professional English‑speaking guide. Transportation, accommodation, meals, and included activities such as guided multi‑day hikes are arranged as part of the itinerary.

Simply arrive in Reykjavík on your selected date and follow the program. Book your return flight for after the tour ends on Day 4. This guided holiday is suitable for travelers in normal health who enjoy multi‑day hiking and remote landscapes.

Day 1: Reykjavík - Landmannalaugar

Your adventure kicks off at the BSÍ bus terminal in downtown Reykjavík at 06:45, where you’ll meet your highlands guide and the rest of the group. By 07:00, you'll board the public Highland Bus headed for Landmannalaugar!

The bus will make a brief stop for bathroom breaks in Hella town before arriving at the enchanting Landmannalaugar around 11:30. Once there, you'll settle into the hut, enjoy some lunch and coffee, and embark on a short "warm-up" hike to prepare for the more challenging trek ahead the next day. 

The group will follow a circular trail that winds between Bláhnúkur mountain (Mt. Bluepeak) and Grænagil canyon (The Green canyon), taking in stunning views of Brennisteinsalda mountain (Mt. Sulfur Wave), one of Iceland's most vibrant peaks. Afterward, you'll return to camp via the Laugahraun lava field, where a delicious dinner awaits, along with the chance to unwind in a nearby natural hot spring.

• Distance: 5-6 km (3.1 – 3.8 mi)

• Walking time: 3 hrs

Day 2: Landmannalaugar - Álftavatn

Rise and shine! After enjoying a wholesome breakfast and doing some morning stretches, we'll load our main luggage and food boxes into the sturdy luggage transporter and set off on our hike. For the first 12 kilometers, we'll be trekking mainly uphill, gradually bidding farewell to the colorful landscapes of Landmannalaugar as we journey into Hrafntinnusker, known as Black Obsidian Skerry, a place that feels truly otherworldly.

Hrafntinnusker has a hut and an outdoor toilet and an area to fill our water bottles.

After a nice stop at Hrafntinnusker we continue our hike and quickly start to descent down in the gullies of Jökultungur, with hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools sprinkled throughout. We'll take in the fascinating views of the Álftavatn area (Swan Lake), and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers, and arrive at Álftavatn hut in the afternoon where we'll spend the night,

• Distance: 24 km (15 mi)

• Walking time: 8 - 9 hrs

• Ascent/Descent: +470 m (1540 ft); -490 m (1610 ft)

Day 3: Álftavatn - Emstrur

Day three begins just every day on the trail, with a hearty breakfast followed by sandwich preparation for lunch. Once again, we load our luggage and food into the transporter and set off on our hike through this highland paradise.

Today, we'll be crossing two glacial rivers, the first of which is only a 30-minute walk from the hut, so be sure to pack your river crossing shoes in your daypack. 

As we make our way, we'll pass by the Hvanngil hut, where you can take advantage of the restroom facilities. Shortly after leaving Hvanngil, you'll tackle the second glacial river crossing, continuing through the stark beauty of the black desert of Mælifellssandur, surrounded by vibrant green mountains until we arrive at Emstur hut in the afternoon.

We highly recommend the optional hike to the breathtaking Markarfljót canyon in the evening—it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

• Distance: 16 km (10 mi)

• Walking time: 6 – 7 hrs

• Descent: 40 m (130 ft)

The round-trip hike to the canyon is approximately 3 km and may take between 1 to 2 hours to complete. Start and finish at Emstrur hut.

Day 4: Emstrur - Þórsmörk

The last day on the trail! Today we leave Emstrur and hike to Þórsmörk. As we go through the Almenningar gorge by Mount Einhyrningur (the Unicorn Mountain), we will still have a great view of the glaciers as we advance towards Þórsmörk. As we get closer to the landscape and nature change, a few trees appear here and there, setting the tone for the characteristic dense birch forest for which Þórsmörk is famous. Our accommodation will be in a simply magnificent location to spend a night, beneath the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. You can now celebrate your completion of the world-famous Laugavegur Trail!

• Distance: 17 km (10.5 mi)

• Walking time: 6 – 7 hrs

• Descent: 300 m (985 ft)

Day 5: Þórsmörk: The Hikers Paradise

Þórsmörk, also known as Thorsmork, is a stunningly beautiful nature reserve located in the highlands of Iceland. It is situated between the glaciers Tindfjallajökull to the north and Eyjafjallajökull to the south, making it a unique and picturesque valley.

Named after the Norse god Thor, Þórsmörk is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The region offers numerous hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging treks that lead to breathtaking viewpoints and scenic landscapes.

Today, you get to enjoy a full day hiking the magical Tindfjallahringur trail, or the circle of Tindfjöll mountains. This trail is a magnificent hiking trail. The views during this hike are postcard-worthy!

It does have its steep sections and sometimes narrow paths, but for the scenic rewards it offers it's worth every bit of effort, and the scenery is so good you'll hardly notice.

• Duration: 5 - 6 hrs

• Elevation: 350m/1200ft

• 12 km/ 7,4 miles

Day 6: Þórsmörk - Reykjavík

Final Day of Hiking!

In the morning, you’ll venture into a nice hiking circle next to your hut, climbing the small mountain of Valahnúkur for breathtaking 360-degree views of the entire Þórsmörk region. You’ll also explore the Sönghellir (Song Cave) and stroll through the Húsadalur hut area before heading to Reykjavík on the afternoon bus. 

You can expect to arrive in downtown Reykjavík around 18:00, where the public bus will drop you off at The Pond, or at bus stop 2.

• Duration: 3 hrs

• Elevation: 220m/720ft

• 6 km/ 3,7 miles

Please note

1. Elevation Gain: The trail has sections that involve significant elevation changes, which means you should be comfortable with uphill and downhill hiking. Some parts reach higher altitudes and sometimes it can be steep.

2. Terrain: The terrain can be rough and varies greatly, including rocky paths, muddy areas, river crossings, and volcanic landscapes. Familiarity with uneven surfaces is beneficial.

3. Weather Conditions: The weather can change rapidly, and you may encounter rain, wind, or even snow. Being physically prepared to handle adverse conditions is essential.

4. Previous Experience: Having experience in multi-day hiking, backpacking, or hiking in similar environments can be advantageous. If you have completed other long hikes, this will benefit you.

5. Training Recommendations: It’s advisable to engage in regular cardio and strength-training exercises in the months leading up to your hike. Focus on walking uphill, increasing your endurance, and practicing with a loaded backpack.

6. Food On The Trail: The lack of space and facilities in the huts make it difficult for your guide to prepare numerous complicated dishes. We can only cater to vegetarians and those with allergies.

Full packing list

Clothing and things to carry in your daypack (large enough to carry all the items listed below)

• Waterproof cover for your daypack

• Waterproof hiking boots

• Hiking pants

• Thermal top or lightweight T-shirt

• Wool socks that dry quickly

• Mid layer

• Buff or face covering

• Warm hat

• Gaiters (optional for those hiking in June month)

• Sunhat

• Waterproof gloves or mittens

• Breathable & waterproof jacket and waterproof pants (no plastic ponchos)

• Sunglasses

• Water bottle or water bladder

• Sunscreen

• River crossing shoes for day 2, 3 & 4

• Fresh food and snacks provided by Viking Women every day

• Extra fleece sweater or down jacket to put on when we stop for breaks

• Hand sanitizer

• Hiking poles (optional but recommended)

• Camera (optional)

In your luggage. We highly recommend bringing a duffel bag:

• Sleeping bag (doesn’t have to be in your luggage, just attached to it somehow)

• Travel pillow (optional)

• Underwear and socks

• Extra clothes for the trail

• Extra clothes for the huts

• Medicine

• Hygiene and beauty products

• Thermal leggings

• Towel

• Headlamp or a flashlight (for those doing the hike in August – September)

• Powerbank to charge your devices

• Earplugs and a sleeping mask

• Bathing suit

• Cash or a debit/credit card