Day 7 - Laugavegur: Botnar/Emstrur to Þórsmörk

Canyons, rivers and glaciers

More canyons on today’s 15km/9.3mi walk, with the magnificent Eyjaffjallajökull an ever-present backdrop.  Towards the end of the day, you enter lush low birch forest with a carpet of wildflowers beneath.

If the lure of hot food and showers is too much for you as it was for us, you’ll choose to divert a few kilometres extra and stay at Husadalur (Volcano Huts) instead of the more basic hut and campground at Langidalur. Faster hikers will reach Basar on the other side of the river but, in our opinion, this is too far for slower hikers.

Today is to to Porsmork but a detour to Volcano Huts at Hasduladar rather than Langidalur provides a hot shower, not to mention a bar!

Walk with Us:

I often tire towards Day 6 when hiking without a break, but we have had a rest day in Landmannalaugar and there is just so much to see. Each new vista draws you onwards.

Green edged stream with snow capped mountains in background

First, plenty of streams to cross...

…with Mýrdalsjökull as your backdrop.

The terrain is still extraordinary.

Back view of hiker lower right gazing upstream to glacier

You occasionally drop to near the water’s edge,

but Entujökull nearly always stays in view.

Hiker in foreground with other hikers and bridge over narrow canyon in background

Crossing at Fremri-Emstrua

An undulating path across the plain and you will be awed by that incredible glacier.

Closer to the glacier. Come on Helen, a freshly brewed hot coffee is calling!

A rest, looking across to Wild Boar Rock.

View down canyon of Markafljot River

You’ve been tracking alongside the main arm of the Markarfljót River all day, every now and then nearing the edge.

red pink and purple toned sedges and grasses

Beautiful grasses and sedges.

closeup of pink flowered arctic thyme growing amongst grasses

And wild thyme. It has been dotted along almost the entire trek, often on bare ground.

Winding dirt path through birch trees

After crossing a tributary, the river Þröngá, you enter a lovely birch forest.

Tents in a row on grass alongside hedge at Volcano Huts campground

We have chosen to detour via Volcano Huts, rather than going straight to Langidalur Huts. A lovely sheltered, grassy campground with...

Rock outcrop bridge and campsite at Volcano Huts Laugavegur Track Iceland

… a natural hot pool, hot showers, a spa and a PROPER RESTAURANT and a BAR!!!! It’s expensive, but we have been eating home dehydrated meals almost exclusively, so can afford to splurge!

Geoff gets his coffee and we go to bed tired but eager for the start of the Fimmvorduhals Trail tomorrow.


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Day 6 - Laugavegur: Hvanggil to Botnar Emstrur

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Day 8 - Fimmvorduhals: Volcano Huts to Baldvinsskali Hut