Hiking & Trekking
One of the best ways to experience Iceland is through a guided Laugavegur hiking tour. The Laugavegur hiking trail is Iceland’s most famous hiking trail and is known worldwide for its astounding beauty and breathtaking scenery. This incredible trek is a photographer’s dream, showcasing a very colorful and varied landscape. From rainbow-colored hills and black volcanic rock to bright green valleys and snowy glaciers, the Laugavegur trail will leave you in awe of nature’s incredible beauty. Here are some of our favorite aspects of hiking the Laugavegur trail.
Europe Hiking Tours
Discover some of the most breath-taking scenery on Earth when you join us on our European hiking tours to Iceland and Switzerland. The Laugavegur Trek was selected by National Geographic for their “Ultimate Adventure Bucket List” and the Jungfrau region of the Swiss Alps is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a filming location for “James Bond” and “Star Wars” films. Hiking in an area surrounded by stunning natural beauty will be an experience you will never forget. Our hiking trips are led by expert guides and are open to hikers of all skill levels, including beginners.
Hiking Tour FAQs
Do I need Prior Hiking Experience?
No! Our hiking trips are open to all skill levels. We provide suggestions for training to prepare for the hikes as well as a detailed packing list to ensure you have everything you need. If you are unsure of your hiking abilities, the Switzerland trip may be better as there are options for luggage transportation and opportunities to take trains or gondolas.
How Far Do We Hike?
Depends on the day and the trip! The furthest distance in a day is about 11 miles (18 km), and the shortest is about 4.5 miles (8 km). There are several optional hikes on both the Switzerland and Iceland trips.
What Do We Eat?
On the Iceland hiking trips, all meals are provided. We prepare a variety of delicious backpacking meals- customers are usually pleasantly surprised by how delicious the meals are. We make a combination of Icelandic and more traditional continental meals (pastas, casseroles, etc.). If you have any dietary requirements, we can accommodate most all restrictions with prior notice. On the Switzerland hiking trips, breakfast is included every day in addition to a couple picnic lunches and one dinner. The other meals are at restaurants where you can choose what to eat.
Where Do We Sleep?
The Iceland hiking trips have the option of sleeping in tents or mountain huts (with dorm/bunk style beds) depending on the trip departure date. The tent camping trips include one night in a mountain hut. Accommodations on the Switzerland trip are more luxurious, staying at mountain chalets and hotels/inns with dorm/bunk style beds, or you have the option to upgrade to private rooms.
What Do I Do With My Luggage While Hiking?
Our Iceland hiking trips are proper backpacking trips where you will be carrying everything that you need for the duration of the trek with you. You can store luggage in Reykjavik so you can have additional items available before and after the hike. On the Switzerland trips, there are three opportunities to have your luggage transported to the next destination for an additional fee. There is one night where luggage transportation is not available and you will need to carry a small pack with the items you need for the one night stay.
What If There Is Bad Weather?
We still hike! The trip dates are chosen for times when the weather is usually at its best, but good weather can never be guaranteed. The weather in Iceland is more variable than in Switzerland, but we provide detailed packing lists to ensure you are prepared. On the Switzerland trip, there are several days when you can opt not to hike if so desired.
Which Trip Is More Difficult?
The Switzerland trip has a lot more elevation (both hiking uphill and downhill, or more appropriately “up mountain” and “down mountain”!). The distances are shorter and you are carrying less weight, but the elevation changes can be tougher especially for those with bad knees. The Iceland trip has less elevation change, but longer distances and heavier packs.