Five Reasons to Hike
Iceland's Laugavegur Trail
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.
Marvel at the Varied Landscape
Prepare to be amazed by the incredible variety and beauty of landscapes and scenery you will experience on the Laugavegur trail. Travelers will have the unique opportunity to trek past glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, lava fields, canyons, steam vents, and hot springs. From the colorful mountains of Landmannalaugar to the glistening obsidian fields near Hrafntinnusker and the glacier capped volcanoes near Þórsmörk, you will be in awe of all the natural beauty Iceland has to offer. Exploring the highlands by foot enables you to see some of Iceland’s most stunning scenery that only a fraction of visitors get to experience. The wide variety of other-worldly scenery is one of the reasons why National Geographic selected the Laugavegur Trail as on the best hikes in the world!
This Hike is Fueled by Delicious Food!
Our guides take a lot of pride in the incredible meals they create in such a remote setting. Hikers can enjoy local Icelandic cuisine with a hiking twist. Skyr parfaits, deconstructed merengue cake, and flatbread sandwiches with fresh vegetables, smoked salmon and smoked lamb are some of the Icelandic dishes we incorporate into our menu. Tasty pastas, chocolate fondue, trail pizzas, and breakfast burritos are also some of our guests favorite non-Icelandic meals we prepare as well!
Markarfljótsgljúfur Canyon
The Markarfljótsgljúfur Canyon is a highlight for many on our Laugavegur hiking tour. This canyon is 650 feet (200m) deep in some areas and extends for about 2.5 miles (4km). The canyon was created from a single flood around 2,000 years ago. The flood was caused by an eruption of nearby Katla, one of Iceland’s most infamous volcanoes. When the volcano erupted, it melted the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, creating a powerful flood that forever changed the landscape. Our guides will provide additional information about the volcano while on our tour!
Mountain Huts- Treat Yourself
Every night of the trip is unique, but each of our guided hiking tours includes one “treat night” in a mountain hut. The mountain hut is a great place to play games, drink a glass of wine (we provide it!), and reminisce about all of the amazing memories you are making in Iceland! Enjoy a little extra relaxation as you do not need to set up tents or worry about rain. Additional hut nights may be available upon request (subject to availability and an additional fee).
Hiking with New Friends
One of the highlights of our hiking tours is getting to know the other hikers and making new friends. The small group atmosphere (average group size is 8), like-minded attitudes, and fun guides often result in everyone getting along really well. From fascinating stories about other treks and travels to amusing trail games, the new friendships you make could last a lifetime- you may even see your fellow hikers on a future Carpe Mundo trip!
Laugavegur Hiking Tour With Carpe Mundo
What makes a Laugavegur hiking tour with Carpe Mundo different from other tour companies is our attention to detail and our commitment to creating quality trips. On our trips, you are not just a number or a name- you are a part of the Carpe Mundo family! Our guides go above and beyond to ensure you have the most incredible hike possible, and the small group ensures that we can more easily adapt the hiking to your preferences. Your safety and well-being is extremely important to us, which is why all of our trip leaders have wilderness medical training to provide aid and any assistance if needed.
