Self-Launched Laugavegur Trail Hut-to-Hut Trek in Iceland
6 days · Iceland
Much Better Adventures charges £1,395
No-markup version: ~£560 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Iceland's legendary Laugavegur Trail is one of the world's great hikes — and you don't need a guided group to do it. This self-launched version covers the same 55km route through rainbow-coloured rhyolite mountains, steaming hot springs, black volcanic deserts and glacier-carved valleys, finishing beneath Eyjafjallajökull. You'll stay in the same iconic mountain huts along the trail and the same style of central Reykjavik guesthouse at either end. By booking your own hut permits directly through the Icelandic Touring Association (FÍ) and catching the public Reykjavik Excursions (RE) buses to the trailheads, you can shave hundreds of pounds off the guided tour price while enjoying the full experience on your own terms. Note: all cost estimates are approximate and based on current budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Reykjavik
Reykjavik
Fly into Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and jump on the Flybus (straeto.is or flybus.is) directly to central Reykjavik — tickets cost around £20 each way and connect with all incoming flights. Check into a central guesthouse or hostel such as Kex Hostel or Hlemmur Square. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Reykjavik's compact city centre — wander up to Hallgrímskirkja church, check out the harbour, and grab dinner on Laugavegur street. Head to bed early: your bus to the trailhead departs around 07:00 tomorrow.
🚌Flybus from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik BSI terminal (~£20, flybus.is)
🛏Kex Hostel or similar central Reykjavik hostel — dorm bed ~£35–45/night, private room ~£90–120/night
- →Take the Flybus from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik city centre (~£20 each way, book at flybus.is)
- →Explore Hallgrímskirkja church and the Old Harbour
- →Stroll and dine along Laugavegur street
- →Pre-purchase your return Reykjavik Excursions bus ticket to Landmannalaugar (~£55 return, re.is)
- →Store any excess luggage at BSI Bus Terminal lockers (Day 2 departure point)
Bus to Landmannalaugar & First Day on Trail to Hrafntinnusker
Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker
Head to BSI Bus Terminal by 06:45 to catch the Reykjavik Excursions Highland Bus to Landmannalaugar (departs ~07:00, journey ~4.5 hours, ~£50–55 one way). Before setting off, take a short dip in the famous geothermal pool at Landmannalaugar — it's free and a great warm-up. Then begin the Laugavegur Trail, winding through small gorges, past sulphur vents and vivid yellow-and-red rhyolite ridges before descending to steaming hot springs. Reach Hrafntinnusker hut after 12km (~4–5 hours). Check into your pre-booked mixed dorm bunk. Dinner is self-catered from supplies you've carried — pack lightweight options like freeze-dried meals, couscous and instant soup.
🚌Reykjavik Excursions Highland Bus (BSI Terminal → Landmannalaugar, ~£50–55)
🛏Hrafntinnusker Mountain Hut — mixed dorm bunk ~£60–70/night (book directly at fi.is, opens in January for the season)
- →Take the Reykjavik Excursions Highland Bus to Landmannalaugar (~£50–55 one way, re.is — book in advance)
- →Soak in the free geothermal pool at Landmannalaugar before setting off
- →Hike Stage 1: Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker (12km, ~588m ascent, ~4–5 hours)
- →Pass sulphur vents, obsidian fields and vivid rhyolite mountains
- →Check into Hrafntinnusker mountain hut (pre-book via fi.is — Icelandic Touring Association)
Hrafntinnusker to Álftavatn (Swan Lake)
Hrafntinnusker to Álftavatn
Descend from Hrafntinnusker into the Jökultungur gullies, passing hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools — one of the trail's most surreal sections. As the route turns south, dramatic views open up across dark volcanic plains towards the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. After 12km (4–5 hours, ~617m descent), arrive at Álftavatn hut beside the beautiful 'Swan Lake'. Showers available for a small fee (~ISK 500/~£3 for 5 minutes). Self-cater dinner at the hut. If the weather holds, the sunsets over the lake are spectacular.
🚌On foot
🛏Álftavatn Mountain Hut — mixed dorm bunk ~£60–70/night (pre-book at fi.is)
- →Hike Stage 2: Hrafntinnusker to Álftavatn (12km, ~617m descent, ~4–5 hours)
- →Explore the steaming hot springs and mud pools of Jökultungur
- →Enjoy panoramic views towards Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers
- →Relax and self-cater dinner at Álftavatn mountain hut
Álftavatn to Botnar via Black Deserts & Ancient Volcanoes
Álftavatn to Botnar (Emstrur)
Today's longest section (16km, 6–7 hours) takes you through the trail's most otherworldly terrain. Skirt the green conic volcano of Stórasúla, navigate a series of river crossings (waterproof boots and trekking poles strongly recommended), then cross the black volcanic deserts of Mælifellssandur — a truly alien landscape. Pass the ancient Hattfell volcano and enter the green pasturelands of the Emstrur region. Take the short detour to the jaw-dropping Markarfljót canyon, carved nearly 200m into the rock. Finish at Botnar (Emstrur) hut for the night.
🚌On foot
🛏Botnar (Emstrur) Mountain Hut — mixed dorm bunk ~£60–70/night (pre-book at fi.is)
- →Hike Stage 3: Álftavatn to Botnar/Emstrur (16km, ~6–7 hours)
- →River crossings — waterproof boots, trekking poles and neoprene socks recommended
- →Cross the black volcanic sands of Mælifellssandur
- →Detour to the dramatic Markarfljót canyon (~200m deep)
- →Check into Botnar (Emstrur) mountain hut
Final Stretch to Þórsmörk & Bus Back to Reykjavik
Botnar to Þórsmörk
The grand finale: hike the final 17km (6–7 hours, 412m ascent) through the undulating valleys and gullies of Emstrur, with Mýrdalsjökull glacier looming nearby, before descending to Þórsmörk beneath the shadow of Eyjafjallajökull. Take a moment to soak in the achievement — you've completed one of the world's truly iconic long-distance treks. From Þórsmörk, catch the Reykjavik Excursions Highland Bus back to Reykjavik (~£30–35, book in advance or at the hut — departure times vary, check re.is). Collect excess luggage at BSI Terminal. Check into your Reykjavik guesthouse and celebrate with a well-earned meal out.
🚌Reykjavik Excursions Highland Bus (Þórsmörk → Reykjavik BSI Terminal, ~£30–35)
🛏Kex Hostel or similar central Reykjavik hostel — dorm bed ~£35–45/night
- →Hike Stage 4: Botnar to Þórsmörk (17km, ~412m ascent, ~6–7 hours)
- →Trek beneath Eyjafjallajökull volcano to the finish at Þórsmörk
- →Take the Reykjavik Excursions bus from Þórsmörk back to Reykjavik (~£30–35, re.is)
- →Collect stored luggage at BSI Terminal
- →Celebratory dinner in Reykjavik city centre
Final Morning in Reykjavik & Departure
Reykjavik
Check out of your guesthouse and make the most of your final hours. Grab a coffee and pastry at a local bakery (Brauð & Co is a local favourite), browse the weekend flea market at Kolaportið if it's open, or visit the Settlement Exhibition museum. Head to BSI Terminal to catch the Flybus back to Keflavik Airport (~£20) in good time for your flight home.
🚌Flybus from Reykjavik BSI Terminal to Keflavik Airport (~£20, flybus.is)
- →Explore Reykjavik's Kolaportið flea market or Settlement Exhibition museum
- →Grab breakfast at Brauð & Co bakery or a local café
- →Take the Flybus from Reykjavik BSI Terminal back to Keflavik Airport (~£20)
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£560 | £1,395 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £835 per person (60%) | |
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.~£560
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 in Iceland cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £560 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 £1,395 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £560 — a saving of roughly £835 (60%) 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 hiking, adventure, 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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