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The total hiking distance is close to 53 km and the
route from Thorsmork to Skogar on the south coast adds 24-26 km.
The
Landmannalaugar - Thorsmork route is called „Laugavegurinn", The
Hot Spring Route, which is very appropriate. It is clearly marked between
the huts in
Landmannalaugar, Hrafntinnusker (Obsidian Skerry), on lake Alftavatn (The Lake
of the Whooper Swans) and on river Sydri-Emstrua in Fremri-Botnar.
The trail
"Laugavegurinn" is one of the most popular and most
travelled hiking trails in Icelandic wilderness. It is
equally popular with domestic and foreign hikers. This is
not without a reason as the trail offers a great variety of
landscape. Mountains in almost every colour of the rainbow,
great glaciers, roaring hot springs, big rivers and lakes.
Generally the hike lasts four days and the starting point is
Landmannalaugar (altitude approx. 600 meters) Overnighting
is in huts but you have to supply your own sleeping bag.
Those with confirmed reservations have a higher priority so
it is important to look in aðvance if you want to have a
certain place to stay.
1. day:
Landmannalaugar-Hrafntinnusker
Distance 12 km, estimated walking time 4 - 5 hours.
Elevation increase 470 meters. From the hut in
Landmannalaugar (75 persons, GPS 63°59.600 - 19°03.660) the
trail goes through a rough lavafield "Laugahraun". From
there on up the slopes of "Brennisteinsalda" and to the
plateau. The view offers an incredible spectrum of colours.
After 3 - 4 hours you arrive at "Stórihver", a hot spring
and almost the only green spot visible in the first day. In
most years the rest of the trail from "Stórihver" to
"Höskuldsskáli" hut is covered with snow. Chances of fog are
very high so even though the trail is clearly marked you
must be careful. A walk to the icecaves (approx. 1.5km from
the hut) is a must. The huts location GPS 63°55.840 -
19°09.700 and sleeps 36 persons.
2. day: Hrafntinnusker -
Álftavatn
Distance 12 km, estimated walking time 4 - 5 hours.
Elevation decrease 490 m. The first part of the trail takes
us through a valley with some small ravines but be careful
as they may be filled with snow. If the visibility is good a
walk up to the top of mountain "Háskerðingur" (1281 m) will
reward your with a breathtaking view. Soon we leave the
colourful rhyolite mountains and enter an area with dark
palagonite mountains and glaciers. You will also notice a
considerable increase in vegetation. The trail down the
"Jökultungur" is rather steep but leads down to a friendly
oasis on the banks of river "Grashagakvísl" a fine place to
rest for a while. From there on the trail to the two huts by
the lake "Álftavatn" is on flat land. There are two huts (58
persons, GPS 63°51.470 - 19°13.640).
3. day: Álftavatn - Emstrur
(Botnar)
Distance 15 km., estimated walking time 6-7 hrs.,
elevation decrease 40 m. The trail takes us over the ridge
"Brattháls" into "Hvanngil" ravine, wading across the river
"Bratthálskvísl". In "Hvanngil" are two huts, one built for
sheepherders in 1963 and one for tourists, built in 1995. A
short walk from the huts is the river "Kaldaklofskvísl" with
a bridge for hikers. On the eastern bank of
"Kaldaklofskvísl" the trail branches, one branch leading
eastwards to "Mælifellssandur" (Road F 210) but the other
one southwards to "Emstrur" and we choose the latter. Less
than one km from "Kaldaklofskvísl" another river has to be
waded and approximately 4 km further we come to the river
"Nyrðri Emstruá" but this time there is a bridge to cross
it. Soon we will be overlooking the huts in "Botnar" (40
persons, GPS 63°45.980 - 19°22.480). A fine walk in the
evening is to the "Markarfljótsgljúfur" canyon.
4. day: Emstrur (Botnar) -
Þórsmörk
Distance 15 km., estimated walking time 6-7 hrs.,
elevation decrease 300 m. First we have to go around the
canyon of "Syðri - Emstruá" and there is a very steep path
down to the bridge so be careful. Then a walk through the
area known as "Almenningar" with crossing of among other
rivers "Þröngá". It is good practice when wading to go hand
in hand and head downstream. After crossing "Þröngá" a 30
minutes walk takes us to the hut in "Langidalur" in
"Þórsmörk" (75 persons, GPS 63°40.960 - 19°30.890) Landscape
and vegetation is changing rapidly. Birchwood and all kinds
of plants a welcome change after the desert now behind us.
The
hut in
Thorsmork is
Basar huts in Godaland, in
Langidalur
Hut
Skagfjordsskáli
and
cottages and huts in
Husadalur.
Huts on Hiking Trail
Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork
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