Day 0: Arrival on your own
After arrival bus transfer on your own from the airport in Keflavik to Reykjavik. Night in Reykjavik.

Day1: Reykjavík-Landmannalaugar-Hrafntinnusker
We take the regular public bus from BSI bus terminal, that during the summer months drives the mountain tracks that lead to Landmannalaugar, passing by the Hekla volcano and other volcanoes in the Dómadalur area. Arriving in Landmannalaugar at noon, we have a lunch and then head south into the mountains. The trail takes us past small gorges, steaming hot springs and yellow mountain ridges. We will arrive in the late afternoon at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut, where we will stay the night.

Day 2: Hrafntinnusker-Álftavatn
From Hrafntinnusker we descend down in the gullies of Jökultungur with hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools. 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 the night.

Day 3: Álftavatn-Emstur
We pass at the foot of the green conic volcano of Stórasúla before entering the black deserts of Mælifellssandur. 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 Botnar hut where we stay the night, we visit the magnificent Markarfljót canyon cut almost 200 m down into the rocks south of Hattfell.

Day 4: Emstrur-Þórsmörk
We continue up and down through the small valleys and gullies of Emstrur, where the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier rises only a couple of kilometers away. At the end of the day the vegetation starts to grow thicker and higher as we descend in to Þórsmörk’s (the woods of Thor) green valleys filled with arctic birch forests and colorful flowers. We spend the night in one of the huts in Þórsmörk.

Day 5: Þórsmörk Valley
We spend the day in Þórsmörk where we have an abundance of choice between various paths. For example, we can visit the Sönghellir cave (“Song cave”), climb up the small mountain of Valahnúkur from where the magnificent view can be enjoyed, or hike into the beautifully carved canyon Stakkholtsgjá. This oasis between the mountains also an ideal place to relax and just enjoy nature. We spend the night in one of the huts in Þórsmörk.

Day 6:  Þórsmörk-Fimmvörðuháls
Leaving Þórsmörk we cross the river Krossá on a footbridge entering the magic landscapes of Goðalönd, the abode of the Gods. Nesting at the foot of two glaciers this is a wonderland of ridges and cliffs covered by a multitude of flowers and grasses, certainly, fit for gods and humans alike. Even the elves have made themselves at home here. We continue up the hills leading to the pass of Fimmvörðuháls, walking along the Kattarhryggir ridges with views to the impressive mountain of Útigönguhöfði up to Morinsheiði heath. At the end of the Morinsheiði plateau, we enjoy the view of the lava stream that flowed down from the Fimmvörðuháls volcano in March and early April 2010. The lava is all set with different outlets of fuming steam and decorated with green and yellow sulfur. As we gain height above Morinsheiði we come again to the lava and then to the two craters Magni and Móði that erupted prior to the main Eyjafjallajökull crater. We cross the brand new lava just at the foot of the magnificent red craters, through places where the lava is almost glowing warm inside the fissures and cracks on its surface. After crossing safely the lava we get a view to the lava and the craters from a hill on the other side, before crossing the névés of the high pass of Fimmvörðuháls, to get to the hut between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, where we set up for the night.

Note: Because of difficult access to the Fimmvörðuháls hut for vehicles, we will send our extra luggage to the end of the trek at Skógar. Food and sleeping bags/blankets have been stored in the Fimmvörðuháls hut so we only need to carry our sleeping bag liner and toiletries for the night and a little bit of fresh food.

Day 7: Fimmvörðuháls-Skógar-Reykjavík
After a night between the two glaciers, we head down to Skógar. In the beginning, the path takes us over a desolate heath past an old hut that does not offer much shelter anymore. We come to the Skógaá River and follow the river exploring its many hidden gorges, and waterfalls all the way to the famous Skógafoss waterfall. The river and its surroundings offer great scenery. The coast seems to be within arm’s reach and you can almost feel the surf on your cheeks. Arriving at Skógafoss, we hop on the scheduled bus to Reykjavík. Arrival at Reykjavik BSI bus terminal at 19:20, where the trip ends. 

NOTE: All of the mountain huts are heated, some have electricity and some have hot water. There are bunk rooms with single and twin beds, participants have to be prepared to share a bed with a stranger.

Boots and Clothing

• Sturdy Hiking Boots – waterproof with good anle support. The boots should be made of leather (or leather and synthetic) with high cut to give sufficient ankle support. Preferably the sole should be soft but robust. GoreTex or alternative waterproof membrane is a preferable extra.
• Long sleeve shirt (thermal underwear) – Wool or synthetic.
• Light wool or fleece sweater (2nd layer).
• Trousers (2nd layer) – Strong and light material that dries quickly, e.g. soft-shell. Wind resistant and water repelling preferable.
• Jacket with a good hood – waterproof, windproof and preferably breathable material (e.g. Gore-Tex or comparable).
• Rain trousers - windproof, waterproof and breathable. Please note that full raingear is mandatory in Iceland. 
• Gloves – Wool or synthetic 2 pairs of different thickness. 
• Socks – Wool or synthetic. Two or three pairs.
• Warm hat or Balaclava – Wool or synthetic.

Other gear

• Backpack for extra clothes and food during the day. Size: 30-50 liters. Please, do not bring a suitcase!
• River shoes – – Walking sandals or old running shoes with a good grip are a good choice, along with a pair of warm socks or neoprene socks. Open sandals or flip-flops will not do the job. 
• Light Sleeping bag
• Towel – light weight and packable. 
• Sunglasses & sun protection. 
• Water container – thermos flask or water bottle 0,5 – 1L. 
• Headlamp for reading and getting around the hut. 
• Casual clothes / change of clothes for wearing in the hut.
• Personal first aid kit – including blister care. 
• Prescription medication and other personal health items.
• Toiletries; Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap etc. 
• Earplugs

Optional gear

• Walking pole(s).
• Gaiters
• Neoprene socks – highly recommended for river crossings. 
• Pen knife. 
• Sun/rain Hat or a Cap. Shorts
• Thermal mat (for lunch breaks). 
• Puffy jacket (e.g. Primaloft or down) 
• Camera, spare batteries and a memory card or films.
• Dry-bags for electronics and extra clothing. 
• Slippers for indoor use. 
• Aperitif or other heart-warming spirits.

  Should you have any questions regarding this equipment list or the equipment on our tours feel free to contact us!