Laugavegur Trail Guided Walk

Meet your guide and group in Reykjavik early this morning (at 6.30am). We take the early bus (7am sharp) that drives along the mountain tracks that lead to Landmannalaugar, passing by the Hekla volcano and others volcanoes in the Domadalur area. Arriving in Landmannalaugar around noon, we have lunch then walk south into the mountains. The trail takes us past small gorges, steaming hot springs and yellow mountain ridges. We arrive at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut in the late afternoon. Distance: 12km/7.5mi. Ascent: 470m/1540ft.

From Hrafntinnusker we descend in the gullies of Jökultungur, where there are hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools. We'll enjoy fascinating views to the south to the Álftavatn area (Swan lake) and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. In the afternoon we arrive at Álftavatn hut, where we stay overnight. Distance: 12km/7.5mi. Descent: 490m/1610ft.

We pass at the foot of the green conic volcano Stórasúla, before entering the black deserts of Maelifellssandur. Heading towards another ancient and verdurous volcano, the Hattfell, we enter the Emstrur region, where farmers used to graze their sheep in summer. Before arriving at the Emstrur-Botnar hut, where we stay overnight, we visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon, which cuts almost 200m into the rocks south of Hattfell. Distance: 16km/10mi. Descent: 40m/130ft.

We continue up and down through the small valleys and gullies of Emstrur, where the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier rises only a couple of kilometres away. At the end of the day the vegetation starts to grow thicker and higher as we descend into Thórsmörk's green valleys (the 'woods of Thor'), filled with arctic birch forests and colourful flowers. We stay overnight in one of the huts in Thórsmörk. Distance: 19km/12mi. Descent: 300m/985ft

We spend the morning in Thórsmörk, where we walk along one of numerous paths - for example, we can visit the Sönghellir cave (a 'singing' cave'), or climb the small mountain of Valahnúkur which has magnificent views. We'll take the afternoon bus to Reykjavík, arriving at Reykjavik BSI bus terminal at 7.30 pm. Distance: 5-10km/3-6mi