Iceland Women's Laugavegur Hike  is a 40ish-mile thru-hike from the hot springs of Landmannalauger to the lush green forests of Thorsmork in the highlands of southern Iceland! You may never be able to pronounce the name, but the adventure will be unforgettable.

Iceland Women's Laugavegur Hike is a 40-ish mile hike over 5 days across extreme environments of the southern highlands, to the forested valley of  Þórsmörk (thorsmork).  

The landscape is so varied and other worldly, you just might think you were on another planet.

Traverse rainbow, rhyolite mountains down into steaming geothermal areas that give way to bubbling mud pools surrounded by vibrant green lime colored moss. Trek through valleys of obsidian (Dragon Glass to all you Game of Thrones fans), and walk over snow, ford glacial rivers, and across an expansive lava sand desert.

Be rewarded with the feeling of accomplishment on our Iceland Women's Laugavegur Hike knowing that you achieved your goal each day! Celebrate and laugh with your adventure buddies as you sit around the table at night sharing homemade meals, and your stories at the end of each day on our Iceland Women's Laugavegur Hike.

Oh, friend….there will be stories on this epic Iceland Women's Laugavegur Hike.

All of the planning has been done for you. This trip is fully supported with pre-trip preparation and a detailed packing list. Carry only a day pack with personal gear. Hot breakfast and dinners are prepared at mountain huts each night. Luggage is transferred between huts for you. The trail  is challenging, but not impossible or technical. All you need for are to invest in a few pieces of good personal gear such as: gortex rain jacket and pants, trekking poles, hiking boots, back pack, non-cotton base layers.

Who should sign up for our Iceland Women's Laugavegur Hike ?

You must love hiking and you must be confident that you can get yourself from point A to point B each day on your own two feet. This trip is open to women who do not have any experience thru-hiking. Some mountain hiking experience carrying a backpack is recommended in various weather conditions, and you must be an active person, willing to prepare your body for the experience.

We walk 6-7 hours per day, or about 7-10 miles. Maximum elevation is 3,400 ft and is covered within the first two days of hiking. The third day is rolling with short, steep climbs. The final stretch is mostly flat with little elevation gain. The fifth day is hiking the trails around Thorsmork. The trails are foot paths with loose gravel, rocks, sand, mud, and possibly snow.. Total accumulative elevation for the hike is 6000ft over 5 days.

This is a challenging trip but not impossible. The varied terrain (loose gravel, dirt, mud, snow) steep ascents and decents, combined with the varied weather make this hike moderate to strenuous for most. 

Recommended for those that are physically active and have some experience with hiking at least 5 hours in mountainous terrain with a backpack. 

2 night in a 3-Star Hotel in Reykjavik 

4 nights in mountain huts! These huts are dormitory style, rustic, and close sleeping quarters. The huts can accommodate up to 50 people (depending on the hut) with 10- 16 people per dorm room, wing, or cabin. There will be travelers from all over the world staying at the huts as well as people camping outside the hut. 

Beds are limited and participants will have to share a mattress with another participant. There could be men and women not in our group sharing our room.

Please read this information before signing up. All participants must be willing to invest in proper outdoor clothing and prepare themselves for the trek.   Click here for the packing list and supplmental information. 

Minimum 10 / Maximum 16

To ensure an intimate and authentic experience, the group is limited to no more than 16 participants, allowing us to connect more deeply while minimizing our impact on the pristine environment.

We need 10 participants to confirm this trip, and we truly appreciate your patience as we work toward that goal. We’re just as eager as you are to confirm this adventure!

Once the trip is confirmed, you’ll receive an email with essential details, including flight booking guidelines, waivers, and tour-specific information. If we’re unable to fill the trip within 90 days of the start date, all participants will receive a full refund.

All participants must have a passport valid for travel 6 months beyond the date of departure. 

Passports/Visas:

Visit the US State Department Website for the most current requirements. Most destinations require your passport to be valid 6 months beyond your planned departure date. Check your passport now to avoid last minute stress and hassle. 

State Department Website 

Vaccinations & Travel Health:

Visit the CDC website for the most current requirements for travel and other travel health related suggestions and concerns for your destination.

CDC Website

Installments

For your convenience you can pay for your adventure in interest-free monthly installments using a checking account or credit card. 

ACH / Checking Account 

Pay zero transaction fees when you pay from your checking account.

Credit Card

Want to rack up points on your credit card? We get it. WeTravel will add a service fee to the total amount of your trip if you pay with a credit card. Credit Cards fees: 2.9% (Amex: 3.9%). This is a bank convenience fee not a fee added by Green Edventures. 

Alternate Between ACH & Credit Card

You can change your payment method at any time in your WeTravel Account

Mandatory Medical Insurance

Green Edventures does not provide medical or travel insurance in the package price. Due to the remote nature of our tours, we require that all participants have, at minimum, $250,0000 medical evacuation coverage for this program. This is for the safety of all guests. A comprehensive travel insurance policy will cover medical evacuation.

Comprehensive travel insurance is available at www.greenedventures.com/travel-insurance 

We strive to deliver a seamless and unforgettable travel experience. However, all itineraries are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to modify the advertised itinerary, including changes to the order of activities, destinations, or accommodations, guides, and trip leaders without prior notice.

In the event of changes, we will make every effort to provide alternative arrangements of equal value to ensure your overall experience remains exceptional. Your safety, satisfaction, and enjoyment remain our top priorities.

We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we work to create the best possible journey for you.

Click on link to review:

Terms & Conditions

Cancellation Policy

Upon arrival at Keflavik Airport, make your way to Reykjavik, Iceland’s vibrant capital city. Spend the day exploring its colorful streets, unique boutiques, and renowned museums like the National Museum or the quirky Icelandic Phallological Museum. Stroll along the waterfront to see the Sun Voyager sculpture or Hallgrímskirkja church, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city.

In the evening, we gather for a pre-hike meeting to go over trip details and prepare for our adventure. This is your chance to meet your fellow hikers and ask any questions about the journey ahead. Enjoy a welcome dinner in one of Reykjavik’s cozy restaurants.

Meals: Dinner | Overnight: 3-Star Hotel in Reykjavik (Hote Leifur Eiriksson or similar)

Our adventure begins with a scenic superbus ride deep into the Highlands, crossing dramatic landscapes shaped by volcanic forces. Pass bubbling hot springs, lava fields, and the infamous Mount Hekla, Iceland’s most active volcano. The offroad adventure requires the superbus to traverse gravel roads and cross a couple of glacier rivers to get to the Landmannalauger.

Arriving at Landmannalaugar, we enjoy lunch before starting our trek. Bring your bathing suit and soak in hot spring before we head off on the trek. The trail begins with a surreal landscape of black lava flows and brightly colored rhyolite hills. We climb steadily past steaming sulfur vents, marveling at the geothermal activity that heats the hot springs below. As we ascend, the views grow more spectacular, revealing the vast wilderness of Fjallabak Nature Reserve.

As we ascend a little higher, the colorful landscape turns black and white. The terrain levels out and we hike across obsidian fields and snowy trails. We will reach our first mountain hut by late afternoon.

Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles) | Active Walking Time: 4-5 hours | Elevation Gain: 470 m (1,540 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Hrafntinnusker Mountain Hut

Today’s trek is a feast for the senses. We descend into the canyon systems south of Hrafntinnusker, weaving through steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and patches of lingering snow. The dramatic contrasts of black volcanic sand and vibrant green moss create a striking landscape.

As we navigate the Jökultungur (glacier tongue)  ridges, breathtaking views of the volcanic plains and distant glaciers unfold. Descending toward Álftavatn (Swan Lake), the serene beauty of this remote glacial lake welcomes us. Surrounded by rugged green mountains, it’s one of the most picturesque spots on the trail. We settle into the mountain hut by the lake for the night. 

For those who are up for it, you can swim in the cool mountain lake under the midnight sun.
Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles) | Active Walking Time: 4-5 hours | Elevation Loss: 490 m (1,610 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Álftavatn Mountain Hut

Prepare for a day of contrasts as we traverse glacial streams and rivers (some forded on foot). The hike leads us through the lush oasis of Hvanngil, a green respite amidst the stark highlands.

Crossing the expansive black sand desert of Mælifellssandur, we pass the striking cone-shaped green peak of Stórasúla volcano. The trail continues toward Hattfell, an ancient volcano, before arriving at Emstrur. A detour takes us to the dramatic Markarfljót Canyon, carved by powerful glacial floods and plunging nearly 200 meters (656 feet) into the earth.

Distance: 16 km (10 miles) | Active Walking Time: 6-7 hours | Elevation Loss: 40 m (130 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Botnar Mountain Hut

Today’s trek takes us through one of Iceland’s most iconic landscapes. We cross two rivers, hike along the edge of Markarfljót Canyon, and descend into the lush, green valley of Þórsmörk, named after the Norse god Thor.

For the first time, the trail is surrounded by fairytale vegetation, including birch forests and delicate arctic flowers. The beauty intensifies as we approach the heart of Þórsmörk, with its glacier-capped peaks and fast-flowing rivers creating a natural amphitheater. After arriving at the mountain hut, we enjoy an evening of celebration and reflection on our incredible journey together in the highlands.

Distance: 17 km (10.5 miles) | Active Walking Time: 6-7 hours | Elevation Loss: 300 m (985 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Overnight: Þórsmörk Mountain Hut

Spend the morning exploring Þórsmörk at your own pace. Hike to the Valahnjúkur viewpoint for sweeping vistas of the surrounding glaciers or visit the mysterious Sönghellir (Song Cave), where echoes create a haunting melody.

After lunch, we board the bus back to Reykjavik, arriving in the evening. Take some time to relax before we gather for a final dinner to share memories and toast to an unforgettable adventure.

Distance: 5-10 km (3-6 miles) | Active Walking Time: 2-5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Overnight: 3-Star Hotel in Reykjavik (Hotel Leifur Eiriksson or similar)

Before concluding your Icelandic adventure, immerse yourself in the spirit of Viking bathing culture at the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is a world-renowned geothermal spa located in a lava field on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. Its milky-blue, mineral-rich waters are naturally heated and known for their skin-soothing properties, particularly silica and algae.  Relax in the warm waters, enjoy a complimentary silica mask, and take advantage of the sauna and swim up bar. 

Afterward, we transfer to Keflavik Airport for your return flight, bringing home memories of an epic expedition through Viking trails and Iceland’s untamed wilderness.
Meals: Breakfast

Note: Blue Lagoon is replacing the Sky Lagoon on the previously advertised itinerary.

Cynthia’s inaugural trip with Green Edventures was one of our Iceland Laugavegur Treks in 2023, but she has been a trip leader since 2003 for a trip to Eleuthera, Bahamas with Tara (even before Green Edventures)!

Her travel footprint reaches as far as Asia and South America. Cynthia’s passion comes with teaching Human Impact and Sustainability. She sees the hope that one person, out of 8 billion people on the planet, can influence the mindset, attitude, and actions of so many. She is always on the lookout for the next idea to reduce our ecological footprint while exploring the world.

You can read more about Cynthia here: Meet Trip Leader Cynthia Sherman