Day 6 - Laugavegur: Hvanggil to Botnar Emstrur

Jul 31

You might think there could be no new sights to see after the last incredible five days, but you’d be wrong. This short day with gentle short rises and a wide volcanic plain gives us time to set up camp and then visit the remarkable Markarfljótsjgljúfur, a delightful short loop with views along the canyon as well as of Entujökull and Mýdalsjökull capping the mighty Katla.

Cascading stream in front of golden moss covered hills Iceland — *The day dawns dull, but it’s dry and the views – again – are fabulous.*

Map of the days hike — *Walking wise it’s pretty straightforward today.*

closeup of large pink flowers of arctic riverbeauty — *Arctic River Beauty* (*Chaemerium latifolium).*

Man with backpack wading knee deep river Laugavegur track Iceland — *Crossing from Emstrua. We meet a small group coming from the other side. Firm-soled sandals are really worth carrying on this hike. Non-absorbent ones double as camp shoes in the huts.*

Track across mossy plain with mist shrouded mountains in background

It’s astonishing what grows in these rocky soils.

an interesting Rumex form

Poa alpina

Gushing meltwater stream through harsh rocky plain — *Crossing more streams - here, glacial meltwater.*

Closeup of assorted volcanic and glacial rocks on ashy plain — *Random rocks either dropped out of a glacier or spewed out of a volcano, dunno which. So often here, we wish we knew more geology.*

Distant hiker passing through gap between mossy hill and lava formations onto ash plain — *Through a gap and onto ….*

distant hiker on track across ash plain with white track marker post in foreground — *…. Another vast ash plain, with conical hills rising abruptly from its surface.*

Hiker descending into rolling volcanic hills with low cloud on hills behind — *We commence our final long descent for the day.*

Botnar Emstrur hut nestled amongst black rolling hills — *And finally Emstrur comes into sight, nestled amongst the folds of ash.*

Back view of hiker seated beside tent — *We set up the tent and have a quick cuppa.*

Then we set off on the 2km loop to the canyon, Markarfljótsjgljúfur . We weren’t even aware of this side trip until the hut warden we paid for our campsite recommended we go.