The Laugavegur Trail — Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk

The Ferðafélag Íslands huts at Hrafntinnusker, Álftavatn and Emstrur are the route’s backbone, and beds go months in advance. Book early — or carry a tent and use the marked campsites beside each hut, which need no reservation.

Several fords are unbridged; the Þröngá on the final day into Þórsmörk is the biggest. Carry sandals or wading shoes, unbuckle your pack’s hip belt, and never cross alone in high water — wait or team up.

The trail effectively opens when the huts are staffed and closes when they shut. Snow can linger on the high obsidian plateau even into July, so early-season walkers should expect snowfields around Hrafntinnusker.

Seasonal highland buses run Reykjavík–Landmannalaugar and back out of Þórsmörk; there is no road link for normal cars. Book both legs when you book the huts, and treat the last bus out of Þórsmörk as a hard deadline.

The weather does the grading on this trail. Full waterproofs, warm layers, gloves and a hat belong in the pack in every month it’s open — Hrafntinnusker at ~1,050 m is often the coldest, windiest night of the trek.

Landmannalaugar’s natural hot springs sit right by the trailhead. Arrive on an early bus and soak before you set out — after that first climb to Hrafntinnusker, you’ll understand why locals linger there.