Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls Hiking Tour in Iceland's Highlands - 8 days

The best time to hike in Iceland is from mid-June through early September when highland trails like Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls are accessible. During these summer months, mountain huts are open, rivers are fordable, and you'll experience nearly 24 hours of daylight. July and August offer the warmest weather and most stable conditions, though they're also the busiest months. Early June and September can provide more solitude but may have more unpredictable weather and some snow remaining on higher passes.

The Laugavegur Trail is Iceland's most famous and popular hiking route, stretching approximately 55 kilometers from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk. This spectacular trek takes you through diverse volcanic landscapes including colorful rhyolite mountains, geothermal areas, black sand deserts, and lush valleys. Many hikers extend their journey by adding the Fimmvörðuháls Pass, which connects Þórsmörk to Skógar on the south coast, creating one of the world's most dramatic multi-day hiking experiences.

Hiking difficulty in Iceland varies from easy coastal walks to challenging multi-day highland treks. The famous Laugavegur Trail is considered moderately challenging to difficult, requiring good fitness for 12-20 kilometer daily hikes over mountainous terrain. Iceland's weather can change rapidly, and trails often include river crossings, steep ascents, and exposure to wind. Highland hikes like Fimmvörðuháls are more demanding, with significant elevation gain and technical sections. Previous hiking experience and proper preparation are essential for multi-day expeditions.

While experienced hikers can tackle some Icelandic trails independently, hiring a guide offers significant advantages, especially for highland routes like Laugavegur. Guides provide safety in unpredictable weather, navigate challenging terrain and river crossings, handle logistics like accommodation and meals, and share knowledge about geology, history, and local flora and fauna. For the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails, guided tours also arrange luggage transfers between huts, allowing you to hike with just a daypack.

Essential gear for Iceland hiking tours includes waterproof jacket and pants, insulating layers, hiking boots with good ankle support, wool or synthetic base layers, warm hat and gloves, sleeping bag, and trekking poles for stability. Pack for all weather conditions even in summer. Most guided tours provide hut accommodation, so you won't need a tent. Bring a headlamp, water bottles, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a small first aid kit. Leave cotton clothing at home and stick to moisture-wicking materials.

The Laugavegur Trail is best suited for hikers with moderate to good fitness levels and some previous hiking experience. While the trail doesn't require technical climbing skills, it demands stamina for 4-7 hours of daily hiking across varied terrain including steep ascents, river crossings, and potentially challenging weather. Complete beginners should consider shorter day hikes or easier trails first to build fitness and confidence. However, with proper preparation, determination, and a guided tour providing support, motivated beginners in good physical condition can successfully complete this iconic trek.

Iceland's popular hiking trails offer mountain hut accommodation operated by organizations like the Icelandic Touring Association. These huts provide dormitory-style sleeping arrangements, cooking facilities, and basic amenities. On the Laugavegur Trail, huts are spaced approximately one day's hike apart at Hrafntinnusker, Álftavatn, Hvanngil or Emstrur, and Þórsmörk. Reservations are essential during summer months as huts fill quickly. Most huts require you to bring your own sleeping bag, and some charge separately for showers. Camping is also permitted near most huts.

Prepare for Iceland hiking tours by building cardiovascular endurance through regular hiking, running, or cycling for at least 2-3 months before your trip. Practice hiking with a weighted backpack to simulate trail conditions. Include hill training to prepare for elevation changes, especially for routes like Fimmvörðuháls. Strengthen your legs, core, and ankles through exercises like squats, lunges, and step-ups. If possible, complete at least one multi-day hike before your Iceland trip to test your gear and build confidence in your abilities.

Iceland's highland hiking offers experiences unlike anywhere else on Earth, combining active volcanic landscapes, massive glaciers, geothermal features, and dramatic geological formations. You'll trek across fresh lava fields, pass steaming hot springs, witness glaciers calving in the distance, and traverse rainbow-colored mountains formed by volcanic minerals. The midnight sun provides nearly 24-hour daylight in summer, and the remoteness of highland trails creates a true wilderness experience. The constantly changing weather and raw, untouched landscapes make every day on Iceland's trails an adventure in one of the planet's most geologically active regions.

Yes, the Fimmvörðuháls Pass section is generally considered more challenging than the Laugavegur Trail. Fimmvörðuháls involves a steep 1,000-meter elevation gain and descent in a single day, passing between two massive glaciers over exposed terrain. The trail crosses the fresh lava fields from the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption, requiring careful footing over uneven volcanic rock. Weather conditions can be more severe at higher elevations, with strong winds and potential whiteout conditions even in summer. However, the views of glaciers, craters, and dramatic landscapes make Fimmvörðuháls one of Iceland's most rewarding hiking challenges.

Our guided group tours have fixed start dates and itineraries. While it’s not possible to customize the actual tour, you can tailor your trip with extra days and activities before or afterwards.

For example, you could add a couple more days in Reykjavík at the end of your trip. Fill these with day tours or exciting activities like ice caving and snowmobiling.

On a guided group tour, you’ll learn a lot about Icelandic history, nature, and culture from experienced tour guides. You’ll find their passion for the country infectious and gain a perspective on life in Iceland from these travel experts.

Guided group tours also mean you don’t need to worry about driving yourself on unfamiliar roads. They’re a fantastic way to explore Iceland if you want to meet like-minded travelers too.

That said, guided tours are by no means the only way to experience Iceland. If you’d prefer something more customizable, you could go for a multi-day tour by bus. Or if you want to set your own pace on a road trip, it’s hard to beat a self-drive tour.

Another option is a privately guided tour. This combines the experience of a locally guided tour with the intimacy of traveling in your own private group.

In general, tipping is not as commonplace in Iceland as in some other countries. While tour guides would never expect to be tipped, they would receive them gratefully.

You can start planning your Iceland adventure right on this page. Browse the guided vacation packages above until you find the one for you.

Next, check departure dates on the tour page. Guided group tours have fixed dates and durations, although you can extend your trip with extra days in Reykjavík if you like. This would be your chance to add activities, like exploring an ice cave or bathing in hot springs.

After that, simply follow the checkout instructions to complete your booking. You’ll receive a confirmation email straight away, followed by your travel documents closer to your departure date.

Because guided group tours have fixed departure dates, it’s a good idea to book your vacation package before your flights. Once you’ve received the confirmation from Iceland Tours, you’re clear to book with your preferred airline.

That said, you might want to do a rough check for flights before you book your package to get a feel for what’s available.

Iceland is well connected to Europe and North America with daily direct flights to lots of major cities.

Carbon offsetting is already included as standard with every Iceland Tours package. We have partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to cover the carbon footprint of the tour itself, so there is nothing extra you need to do or pay.

Iceland Tours is Travelife-certified, meaning our operations are independently assessed against sustainability standards covering environmental, social, and supply chain criteria. This certification reflects a commitment to responsible travel that goes beyond carbon offsetting, including how we select local accommodation and activity partners.

Carbon offsetting for international flights to and from Iceland is not included in the tour package, but your airline may offer offset options at the time of booking, or you can arrange this through a local or national environmental fund. For more on how we approach sustainable travel, see our sustainability policy and our article on responsible and sustainable travel in Iceland.