Self-Launched Laugavegur Trail Hut-to-Hut Trek, Iceland
6 days · Iceland
Much Better Adventures charges £1,795
No-markup version: ~£650 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of the classic 5-night hut-to-hut Laugavegur Trail trek from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk — 55km through rhyolite mountains, obsidian fields, steaming geothermal valleys and black deserts, finishing beneath Eyjafjallajökull. Book your own Ferðafélag Íslands (Icelandic Touring Association) mountain hut beds, catch the public Strætó/Ferðafélagið bus to the trailhead, and carry your own food — same route, same huts, a fraction of the guided-group price.
Day-by-day
Arrive Reykjavik — gear check and city wander
Reykjavik
Fly into Keflavik (KEF) and take the public Flybus or Strætó bus 55 into the city (book Flybus online in advance, ~£22 one way; cheaper bus 55 is ~£12 but slower). Check into a central hostel such as Kex Hostel, Bus Hostel or a downtown HI hostel. Spend the afternoon doing a final gear check — this is your last chance to buy gas canisters, blister plasters and snacks (Bonus supermarket is the cheapest for trail food). Wander Laugavegur street, hit a geothermal pool like Sundhöllin or Vesturbæjarlaug (~£8), and get an early night. Pick up your pre-booked bus ticket to Landmannalaugar (Ferðafélagið/Strætó route, ~£75 return, book well ahead — summer seats sell out).
🚌Flybus or Strætó bus 55 from KEF to Reykjavik, ~£12-22
🛏Central Reykjavik hostel (dorm bed, ~£40)
- →Flybus transfer from Keflavik
- →Gear check and trail food shop at Bonus
- →Geothermal pool soak at Sundhöllin
Bus to Landmannalaugar and hike to Hrafntinnusker
Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker
Early start — catch the ~07:00 bus from BSI bus terminal to Landmannalaugar (4-4.5hrs, past the volcano fields of Dómadalur). Store excess luggage in the BSI lockers (~£5/day) before you go. At the trailhead, soak in the natural hot river, then set off on the Laugavegur. The trail climbs through small gorges, past sulphur vents and vivid yellow and orange rhyolite ridges, before descending to steaming hot springs and reaching Hrafntinnusker hut (1,100m — the highest and coldest hut, no showers here). Cook your own dinner and settle into the mixed dorm.
🚌Public bus BSI to Landmannalaugar, ~£75 return booked day 1
🛏Hrafntinnusker mountain hut (mixed dorm, ~£45)
- →Scenic bus through Dómadalur volcano country
- →Hot river soak at Landmannalaugar
- →Hike 7mi / 4-5hrs to Hrafntinnusker
Over Jökultungur to Álftavatn 'Swan Lake'
Hrafntinnusker to Álftavatn
Descend into the Jökultungur gullies, a geothermal wonderland of hundreds of steaming vents and bubbling mud pools. The trail turns south and opens up vast views across dark volcanic plains towards the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull ice caps. Arrive at Álftavatn hut beside the lake known as 'Swan Lake'. There are showers here (~ISK 500 for 5 mins) — a welcome luxury. Cook dinner and swap trail stories with other independent hikers in the communal kitchen.
🚌On foot — 7mi / 4-5hrs
🛏Álftavatn mountain hut (mixed dorm, ~£45)
- →Geothermal Jökultungur gullies
- →Glacier views to Mýrdalsjökull
- →Shower stop at Álftavatn
Black deserts and the Markarfljót canyon
Álftavatn to Emstrur (Botnar)
Skirt the foot of the green cone volcano Stórasúla, then tackle the first of several river crossings — start with boots off and neoprene socks, or wade carefully. Cross the black desert of Mælifellssandur and pass the ancient volcano Hattfell before entering the green pasturelands of Emstrur. Take the short detour to the dramatic Markarfljót canyon, cut nearly 200m into the rock. Continue to Botnar hut for the night — this is the last hut with a small shop and ranger presence.
🚌On foot — 10mi / 6-7hrs
🛏Emstrur/Botnar mountain hut (mixed dorm, ~£45)
- →River crossings with neoprene socks
- →Mælifellssandur black desert
- →Markarfljót canyon detour
Final stretch to Þórsmörk, bus back to Reykjavik
Emstrur to Þórsmörk
Hike the final leg through undulating valleys and gullies of Emstrur with Mýrdalsjökull looming just a few kilometres away. The trail crests, then drops down to the birch-clad valley of Þórsmörk beneath the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano — the classic Laugavegur finish line. Celebrate at the Þórsmörk hut/café, then catch the afternoon or early-evening bus back to Reykjavik (BSI terminal), where you can collect your stored luggage. Check into your guesthouse for a hot shower and a proper meal out.
🚌Bus Þórsmörk to BSI Reykjavik ~£25-30 (using return portion or separate ticket)
🛏Reykjavik guesthouse/hostel private twin or dorm (~£50)
- →Final 11mi / 6-7hrs to Þórsmörk
- →Photo stop under Eyjafjallajökull
- →Free-time evening in Reykjavik
Last morning in Reykjavik and fly home
Reykjavik
Enjoy a final Icelandic breakfast — try Skyr and a cinnamon roll at a downtown bakery. Depending on your flight time, you can squeeze in the Hallgrímskirkja tower viewpoint, a soak at the Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon (pre-book, ~£40-60), or a last wander around the harbour. Take the Flybus back to Keflavik in good time (allow 3hrs before your flight).
🚌Flybus to KEF, ~£22
🛏Check out (not included in this day's cost)
- →Hallgrímskirkja tower or Sky Lagoon (optional)
- →Downtown bakery breakfast
- →Flybus to airport
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£650 | £1,795 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,145 per person (64%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£650
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Laugavegur Trail Hut-to-Hut Trek, Iceland cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £650 per person for 6 days in Iceland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £1,795 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £650 — a saving of roughly £1,145 (64%) per person.
How long is the Iceland trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through Iceland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, backpacker trip through Iceland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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