All-Women Iceland Highlands Challenges Trek

Rise and shine! After enjoying a wholesome breakfast and doing some morning stretches, we'll load our main luggage and food boxes into the sturdy luggage transporter and set off on our hike. For the first 12 kilometers, we'll be trekking mainly uphill, gradually bidding farewell to the colorful landscapes of Landmannalaugar as we journey into Hrafntinnusker, known as Black Obsidian Skerry, a place that feels truly otherworldly.

Hrafntinnusker has a hut and an outdoor toilet and an area to fill our water bottles.

After a nice stop at Hrafntinnusker we continue our hike and quickly start to descent down in the gullies of Jökultungur, with hundreds of steaming hot springs and mud pools sprinkled throughout. We'll take in the fascinating views of the Álftavatn area (Swan Lake), and the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers, and arrive at Álftavatn hut in the afternoon where we'll spend the night,

Distance: 24 km (15 mi)
Walking time: 8 - 9 hrs
Ascent/Descent: +470 m (1540 ft); -490 m (1610 ft)

Day three begins just every day on the trail, with a hearty breakfast followed by sandwich preparation for lunch. Once again, we load our luggage and food into the transporter and set off on our hike through this highland paradise.

Today, we'll be crossing two glacial rivers, the first of which is only a 30-minute walk from the hut, so be sure to pack your river crossing shoes in your daypack.

As we make our way, we'll pass by the Hvanngil hut, where you can take advantage of the restroom facilities. Shortly after leaving Hvanngil, you'll tackle the second glacial river crossing, continuing through the stark beauty of the black desert of Mælifellssandur, surrounded by vibrant green mountains until we arrive at Emstur hut in the afternoon.

We highly recommend the optional hike to the breathtaking Markarfljót canyon in the evening—it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

Distance: 16 km (10 mi)
Walking time: 6 – 7 hrs
Descent: 40 m (130 ft)

The round-trip hike to the canyon is approximately 3 km and may take between 1 to 2 hours to complete. Start and finish at Emstrur hut.

The last day on the trail! Today we leave Emstrur and hike to Þórsmörk. As we go through the Almenningar gorge by Mount Einhyrningur (the Unicorn Mountain), we will still have a great view of the glaciers as we advance towards Þórsmörk. As we get closer to the landscape and nature change, a few trees appear here and there, setting the tone for the characteristic dense birch forest for which Þórsmörk is famous. Our accommodation will be in a simply magnificent location to spend a night, beneath the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. You can now celebrate your completion of the world-famous Laugavegur Trail!

Distance: 17 km (10.5 mi)
Walking time: 6 – 7 hrs
Descent: 300 m (985 ft)

Þórsmörk, also known as Thorsmork, is a stunningly beautiful nature reserve located in the highlands of Iceland. It is situated between the glaciers Tindfjallajökull to the north and Eyjafjallajökull to the south, making it a unique and picturesque valley.

Named after the Norse god Thor, Þórsmörk is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The region offers numerous hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging treks that lead to breathtaking viewpoints and scenic landscapes.

Today, you get to enjoy a full day hiking the magical Tindfjallahringur trail, or the circle of Tindfjöll mountains. This trail is a magnificent hiking trail. The views during this hike are postcard-worthy!

It does have its steep sections and sometimes narrow paths, but for the scenic rewards it offers it's worth every bit of effort, and the scenery is so good you'll hardly notice.

Duration: 5 - 6 hrs
Elevation: 350m/1200ft
12 km/ 7,4 miles

Final Day of Hiking!

In the morning, you’ll venture into a nice hiking circle next to your hut, climbing the small mountain of Valahnúkur for breathtaking 360-degree views of the entire Þórsmörk region. You’ll also explore the Sönghellir (Song Cave) and stroll through the Húsadalur hut area before heading to Reykjavík on the afternoon bus.

You can expect to arrive in downtown Reykjavík around 18:00, where the public bus will drop you off at The Pond, or at bus stop 2.

Duration: 3 hrs
Elevation: 220m/720ft
6 km/ 3,7 miles