Landmannalaugar to Skogar Backpacking Trip in Iceland

Like most Iceland hikes, this one stays at low elevations, which at most at are a couple thousand feet above sea level. You can hike this route North to South or South to North. There are also shorter variations available for people with less time. Finally, you can camp or stay in the huts. Huts are $40/night, camping is $10/night. Huts require reservations.

I am describing the North to South itinerary here.

Day 1. Board the standard public bus that takes folks across the mountain tracks that lead to Landmannalaugar. Pass by Hekla volcano and arrive in Landmannalaugar. Then begin your hike. Hike past canyons, thermals and beautiful yellow ridges dotted with snow patches. Arrive at Hrafntinnusker mountain hut. 7.5 miles, 1540 foot ascent.

Day 2. From Hrafntinnusker hike down into Jökultungur where you'll find a variety of thermal features including hot springs and mud pots. Stunning views to the south include lakes and glaciers. Arrive at Álftavatn hut. 7.5 miles, 1610 foot descent.

Day 3. After leaving the hut, you'll pass the Stórasúlaand volcano and then hike through Mælifellssandur, which is a series of black deserts. Continue hiking past the Hattfell Volcano and then enter a historic region where Icelandic farmers grazed their sheep in the summer. Arriving at the Botnar hut. 10 miles, 130 foot descent.

Day 4. Leave the hut and hike into the small valleys and in and out of the gullies of Emstrur. As your day of hiking progresses,  you'lll notice the vegetation growing more lush and full as we drop in to "the woods of Thor", which are fertile valleys with birch forests. Spending the night at a hut in Þórsmörk. 10.5 miles, 985 foot descent.

Day 5. Leave your hut in Þórsmörk and cross the Krossá river on a bridge. Enter the other worldly landscapes of Goðalönd – the home of the Gods. Below two glaciers, this area is a maze ridges, gullies and cliffs with layers of lush grass and wildflowers. Continue your hike up a series of ascents leading to Fimmvörðuháls Pass. You pass a solidified lava flow from 2010 that came from the nearby Fimmvörðuháls Volcano. Eventually you'll arrive at the hut between two glaciers Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull. 9 miles, 3000 foot ascent.

Day 6. Today's hike takes you past an abandoned hut, then to the Skógaá River. You'll pass several waterfalls and finally come to the famous waterfall, Skógafoss. Board a bus to return to Reykjavík from Skógafoss. 8 miles, 3300 foot descent.

This trip is offered as a guided Iceland Trek by Wildland Trekking for those interested in a convenient, all inclusive experience.