Day 7 - Laugavegur: Botnar/Emstrur to Þórsmörk

Jul 31

Canyons, rivers and glaciers

Back view of hiker with orange pack gazing across canyon to Wild Boar Rock Iceland — 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.

Map of the day's hike. There are a few ups and downs but its mostly down gradient. — *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...

Back view of hiker on dirt track approaching glacier — …with Mýrdalsjökull as your backdrop.

Track wending through low bare hills — 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*

Undulating dirt track across bare fells — An undulating path across the plain and you will be awed by that incredible glacier.

Hiker on track with huge cloud covered glacier in background — Closer to the glacier. Come on Helen, a freshly brewed hot coffee is calling!

Seated hiker front left gazing across plain to Wild Boar Rock Laugavegur Iceland — 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.

Smiling couple seated on grassy plain with river and snowy hills in background

Winding dirt path through birch trees — After crossing a tributary, the river Þröngá, you enter a lovely birch forest.

Woodland geranium (G. sylvaticum)

Biting stonecrop (Sedum acre)

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.*

Next day - Fimmvorduhals: Volcano Huts to Baldvinsskali Hut

Managing Health and Chronic Conditions When Multiday Hiking

Helen McKerral

Day 7 - Laugavegur: Botnar/Emstrur to Þórsmörk

Canyons, rivers and glaciers

Walk with Us:

Day 6 - Laugavegur: Hvanggil to Botnar Emstrur

Day 8 - Fimmvorduhals: Volcano Huts to Baldvinsskali Hut