Trekking is fun as it takes you to new places that you haven’t seen before. It also provides you with an adrenaline rush as you climb the hefty mountains. Iceland is a country that is known for its beautiful destinations. In south-west Iceland, you get the Laugavegur trek trail that starts from Landmannalaugar and ends at the Thórsmörk glacial valley. The trek lasts for 55 KM and goes through different beautiful places that everyone would love to see. Here we will present a compact guide to this trekking route so that you get excited to visit it as your next spot.
Laugavegur Trek Route
The Laugavegur trekking is regarded as one of the most scenic treks that you can be a part of. The route that you will follow will include many spectacles that you should definitely see. Most travelers wouldn’t be able to complete the trek in a single day. Common stops include Hrafntinnusker, Alftavatn, Emstrur before you finally stop at Thórsmörk. Through these routes, you go through different sceneries as well as different weathers. So, brace yourself for the beautiful journey. Along with this route, you can also add Fimmvörðuháls Hike if you have an extra day in your hand. The hike takes you through Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers and it looks spectacular. You may add more days and visit the treks that are present beyond the specified points of the Laugavegur trek. The internet is your best friend when it comes to deciding on the route. But we can say that when you pass through the rainbow colored mountains, the volcanic terrains and the other parts of the trek, you will definitely enjoy what you see in front of you.
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Cost And Duration Of Trek
The Laugavegur trek lasts anywhere from 4 to 5 days as you have to span 55 KM of different sceneries. Make sure about the accommodations and also if the trek is open. This is important as it will help you to book the tickets. The duration of the trek will really depend on the endurance of the trekker and also the weather conditions that you get. Definitely, it is a place that will challenge you because of its location. If you want to be a part of a guided tour, then do book early. They will provide you with all the information about the itinerary and also the duration of the tour.
Cost is something that is subjective to every human being. You will definitely need to spend a fixed amount of money if you are availing a tour from a tourism company. But even after that, you will need to spend extra on some things that come your way. If you are going to book things on your own, then keep Laugavegur trek huts as they can be your affordable option. Other than that you can also go camping which also helps a lot. So, do not forget to sit with your budget before you embark on your beautiful journey to the Icelandic landscapes.
Best Time To Trek
An adventure like trekking should always be planned ahead of time as it is often impossible to make it an impulse journey. So, you need to find a specific time when you are able to visit the place. For Laugavegur trekking, the summer months is the ideal time as you get daylight and you can actually enjoy trekking in good weather. The months of July and August receive the most traffic in the area. In the fall months that last till September, the huts close down but people can still camp. In Thórsmörk, the volcanic huts may remain open till October. So, do enquire about the things way ahead of time before you set on the trek. If you are a novice, then we will suggest you talk to a tour company as they often have a set plan. Do remember that the highlands often have unpredictable weather, so be prepared for it.
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Things To See While Trekking
While you are on your journey on the Laugavegur day hike, you need to set some places and things that you should experience. This will not only make your tour memorable but also provide you with stories that you can tell for ages. So, here are some things that you should see while on the trek:
1. Hot Springs, Landmannalaugar
The unique thing about Landmannalaugar has to be the hot springs that catch your attention. So, there is no way that you can miss it as most probably it will be your starting point. Do not forget to bathe at this spot as it is an experience that you may not have any time soon. The main attraction of the trekking route is that there are several active volcanoes in the area. So, along with the trek, you will be amazed to see them and the contrast with the rest of nature.
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2. Black Obsidian Rocks, Hrafntinnusker
While you are in the trek and stop at this point you will be amazed to see the shiny black rocks. The spectacular things are nothing but obsidian and they will blow your mind. Do hold some in your hand to see the contrast with the white of the snow.
3. Greenery, Alftavatn
Once you have come out of the former point you will see that there is a drastic change. Alftavatn is fertile and you will be amazed by it. Do visit the Álftavatn lake as it is strikingly beautiful.
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4. Deserts Of Emstrur
After the fertility, you will be greeted by this desert that contains black sand. The desert is endless and looks very beautiful. Do not forget to spend some time here before you finally reach the camping site.
What To Pack?
One of the biggest questions that people have before a trekking journey is the things that they need to pack. So, here are some things that we think that you should keep with you while traveling the place. One thinks that you should keep in mind is to pack light so that you have the capability to carry it on your own.
- Comfortable and breathable clothes that have the ability to leave moisture. Do pack warm clothes as a lot of the places do have snow most of the time.
- Essential things like medicines, first aid kits, toiletries.
- Hiking shoes that can be used in a lot of terrains.
- Dry foods that can become your quick snack.
- A good water bottle that can hold enough drinking water.
- Sunscreen, caps, insect repellent that will help to beat things in the environment.
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Tips
- Make yourself ready for the day as soon as you plan to go on it.
- Drink plenty of water on the trek or else you may get ill.
- Take your meals on time as it will provide you with the energy to trek.
- Make the budgeting proper as it will make things easier for you.
- Make sure that you have a proper plan before you set out on the journey.
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So, here are some of the things that you should keep in mind when you are thinking of going for the Laugavegur trek. We hope that this helps you in making the right decisions before you finally set out for your journey. So, plan an international trip and visit Iceland for this unique adventure!
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“You only get one life. It’s actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.” – Jojo Moyes
Living with this motto in mind. A little too sensitive about anything and everything, this person is writing about traveling, something that she loves and has been doing since her childhood. To her, traveling does not only mean exploring new places but new people and how different life is everywhere else. It makes her think and think, thus making her a writer. If ever, you will find her thinking hard, laughing every other second and trying passionately to bring a change in the world.