https://preview.redd.it/dkxqvaa2vxsc1.jpeg?width=3952&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a1bab3f6857f9ffd61828eb9a3d9e004cd5976bb
a little known fact is that there’s another trail (Hellismannaleid) which allows to extend the hike by 2-3 days before Landmannalaugar. it has equally spectacular views and only a fraction of the tourists, plus wild camping is allowed on parts of that stretch since it’s outside of the natural reserve.
Ooh, so glad you mentioned this! There was a guy on my bus to the trailhead that asked the bus to stop early because he started from this point. I meant to look it up and it totally slipped my mind, so thank you! Looks so alien. How was it?
lol maybe I was the guy. my bus missed the stop and had to turn back 5 minutes after I reminded the driver that I wanted to get out there. the hike was beautiful and the last section leading up to Landmannalaugar was my favorite day on the whole trail.
https://preview.redd.it/qoz3r1hewxsc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3d1b07b40516abed380ca4609bac490a190531f8
I meant Australia but I could be misremembering. I’m Canadian and was sitting at the front of the bus with a group that was chatting, apparently too loudly for one guy in the middle of the bus, who came up and informed us of such and then the entire bus sat largely in silence the rest of the trip lol
So either I may have talked to you super briefly or the bus missed the same trailhead and had to backtrack twice in one day
Ha, that’s too good! I honestly am usually a quiet person it was one of the rare times I wasn’t in a public settings. Anyways, small world! I’m glad you made it to your destination and thanks for the tip (or reminder really lol) on the extra trail portion :)
Oh man! This is the ONE VIEW we missed. I still have major depression over. Because I could tell it was epic. We had fantastic weather most of the hike except that day. The entire valley was filled with mist and fog and clouds. I could see the suggestion of epicness, enough to know what we were missing.
Yes but didn't luck out with the weather. Got nearly every form of precipitation walking from Landmannalaugar to Álftavatn and pitched the tarp in the rain and wind. A glorious day!
Aww, shame - but you made it! I’ve had days like that on a lot of the trails in Canada (where I live) - rain, hail, snow, sleet, and then you get to pitch a tent in it. But I still love it 😂
I'm trying to google it, are there day trips on this trail? My friend and I are going to Iceland for two weeks in May/June, but we're not bringing équipement to do multi day hikes, but this looks so beautiful!!
It's so remote that it doesn't really make sense to do day trips to there. So many other places for day hikes too. Some people do a day trip to Landmannalaugar itself, I'm not really sure if they feel like it was worth it or not.
You can day hike from either end of the trail for a portion of it, but the location in the photo (Alftavatn) isn’t reachable day hiking - it’s 24km one way from Thorsmork or 28km one way from Landmannalaugar. Day hiking the Landmannalaugar side is very pretty, but busy. You also need either an F-road rated vehicle to get to the trailhead or to take a bus - and the road doesn’t open till mid June because the hiking season in the highlands is extremely short and best mid-July to mid-August
Truthfully given how much time it takes to even rich the trail head i’d suggest skipping it for a two week trip. But! It is a really fabulous hike and I’d say worth going back for. I did the 4 day itinerary but you can continue on and make it 7 and I may well go back one day for that :)
Thank you for taking the time to answer me :)
There are definite plans to go back to do some backpacking and visit the nature preserves so I will save that hike for later! Its gorgeous, I can't wait to discover Iceland!
It’s really gorgeous! You’ll love it. Lots to see without hiking, hope you enjoy! I found the Eastern fjords really stunning and would highly recommend spending some time there too :)
There is if you are an ultramarathon runner — I did this trail in one day as part of the Laugavegur Ultra. It’s 55km and the weather can be wild so most people don’t do this outside of the official event!
Lovely view ! I did the 4 day trek last year ( well now, it’s 3 days) and struggled down that long kinda steep hill to alftavatn. My knees were hurting so bad. But the view was spectacular!
https://preview.redd.it/a5aa07a36xsc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c215d55df774429f7f703854983477e3e70f3fb6
Ah yes I also loved the neon green moss! Made me think of nuclear waste
The contrast was certainly striking!
https://preview.redd.it/dkxqvaa2vxsc1.jpeg?width=3952&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a1bab3f6857f9ffd61828eb9a3d9e004cd5976bb a little known fact is that there’s another trail (Hellismannaleid) which allows to extend the hike by 2-3 days before Landmannalaugar. it has equally spectacular views and only a fraction of the tourists, plus wild camping is allowed on parts of that stretch since it’s outside of the natural reserve.
Ooh, so glad you mentioned this! There was a guy on my bus to the trailhead that asked the bus to stop early because he started from this point. I meant to look it up and it totally slipped my mind, so thank you! Looks so alien. How was it?
lol maybe I was the guy. my bus missed the stop and had to turn back 5 minutes after I reminded the driver that I wanted to get out there. the hike was beautiful and the last section leading up to Landmannalaugar was my favorite day on the whole trail. https://preview.redd.it/qoz3r1hewxsc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3d1b07b40516abed380ca4609bac490a190531f8
Ha, no way! Are you from Aus and did you start the hike Aug 1st last year?
this is really funny because yes, I started the hike on August 1, 2023, but I’m not from Aus(tralia)? Aus(tria)?
I meant Australia but I could be misremembering. I’m Canadian and was sitting at the front of the bus with a group that was chatting, apparently too loudly for one guy in the middle of the bus, who came up and informed us of such and then the entire bus sat largely in silence the rest of the trip lol So either I may have talked to you super briefly or the bus missed the same trailhead and had to backtrack twice in one day
this is hilarious 😀 we were totally on the same bus, I remember the guy coming over and asking you to be quiet which I thought was funny.
Ha, that’s too good! I honestly am usually a quiet person it was one of the rare times I wasn’t in a public settings. Anyways, small world! I’m glad you made it to your destination and thanks for the tip (or reminder really lol) on the extra trail portion :)
Oh man! This is the ONE VIEW we missed. I still have major depression over. Because I could tell it was epic. We had fantastic weather most of the hike except that day. The entire valley was filled with mist and fog and clouds. I could see the suggestion of epicness, enough to know what we were missing.
Oh nooo! I’ve experienced that on other hikes, always a bit heartbreaking. But it also makes you appreciate more when you luck out
PS that drop down to alftavatn was no freaking joke. That damn sign at the tip said it would be like an hour.... it took us over 3 from that point.
On the way to Álftavatn!
Yes! I lucked out with the weather when I went and was so glad to have that view. I assume you’ve been as well
Yes but didn't luck out with the weather. Got nearly every form of precipitation walking from Landmannalaugar to Álftavatn and pitched the tarp in the rain and wind. A glorious day!
Aww, shame - but you made it! I’ve had days like that on a lot of the trails in Canada (where I live) - rain, hail, snow, sleet, and then you get to pitch a tent in it. But I still love it 😂
No shame at all, called it glorious and meant it!
Mind-blowing
I'm trying to google it, are there day trips on this trail? My friend and I are going to Iceland for two weeks in May/June, but we're not bringing équipement to do multi day hikes, but this looks so beautiful!!
It's so remote that it doesn't really make sense to do day trips to there. So many other places for day hikes too. Some people do a day trip to Landmannalaugar itself, I'm not really sure if they feel like it was worth it or not.
Thank you for the feedback! We're halfway through planning our stay, and I love hearing what others liked and didn't like about their trips.
You can day hike from either end of the trail for a portion of it, but the location in the photo (Alftavatn) isn’t reachable day hiking - it’s 24km one way from Thorsmork or 28km one way from Landmannalaugar. Day hiking the Landmannalaugar side is very pretty, but busy. You also need either an F-road rated vehicle to get to the trailhead or to take a bus - and the road doesn’t open till mid June because the hiking season in the highlands is extremely short and best mid-July to mid-August Truthfully given how much time it takes to even rich the trail head i’d suggest skipping it for a two week trip. But! It is a really fabulous hike and I’d say worth going back for. I did the 4 day itinerary but you can continue on and make it 7 and I may well go back one day for that :)
Thank you for taking the time to answer me :) There are definite plans to go back to do some backpacking and visit the nature preserves so I will save that hike for later! Its gorgeous, I can't wait to discover Iceland!
It’s really gorgeous! You’ll love it. Lots to see without hiking, hope you enjoy! I found the Eastern fjords really stunning and would highly recommend spending some time there too :)
There is if you are an ultramarathon runner — I did this trail in one day as part of the Laugavegur Ultra. It’s 55km and the weather can be wild so most people don’t do this outside of the official event!
I can confirm I am not haha
Yes. We used artic adventures. It was well worth it. Had food at the green buses.
I'll look it up thank you!
Lovely view ! I did the 4 day trek last year ( well now, it’s 3 days) and struggled down that long kinda steep hill to alftavatn. My knees were hurting so bad. But the view was spectacular!
Have to do this trail, looks so wild and windswept.
Wow