PL 
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Whenever we return from the trip on the way back, new ideas for the next trip are created. And now in which direction we will hit depends mainly on what we have just finished doing. If it was a luxury trip, i.e. one with suitcases where we slept in a comfortable hotel room, the next one will definitely be with a backpack and under a tent. And so, returning from a holiday at the all-inclusive resort in Mexico, the idea for Iceland was born.
Iceland is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled countries on earth. This island is a range of endless landscapes changing its character almost every few kilometers. Here you will see all the wonders of nature. Starting from the aurora, through glaciers, volcanoes including the active, highest and most beautiful waterfalls, geysers, hot springs and many others. Iceland is also the only place in the world where you can observe the effect of tectonic plate movement above sea level.
If you like traveling, then you already know that to reach the most pristine places that the mother land hides within you, you need to give up all the luxuries, be patient, gather all the physical and mental strength, take your backpack and set off.
And you know that it will certainly not be easy, maybe it will be cold and it may rain, and your tent may leak, and your batteries will fall in the lamp, or unexpectedly you will end up with propane in the cylinder and you will have to continue the expedition by only with a baton and nuts.
But you're going to go, because you know you're going to have a reward at the end of the day. You will get to where the average does not reach and you will see with your own eyes what others see only in the screens of their TVs.
And if you belong to this kind of people, the Laugavegur trail is just for you.
The Laugavegur Trail
“The Hot Springs Route”
Looking through the search engine on the Internet, my attention was attracted by a certain photo with a fantastic landscape. I stopped to see what this place was and then I discovered Icelandic codd of nature. The Laugavegur trail has been recognized by the National Geographfic as one of the ten most interesting in the world, characterized by an astonishing variety of landscapes. Laugavegur is a long-distance trail that starts in the South Iceland from the village of Landmannalaguar and ends 55 km in Porsmork.
During the hike, you pass colorful ryolite mountains, green thermal pools, shiny white glaciers and gray volcanic slopes. You'll walk in the snow, cross the icy rivers, and look at the geysers. It is definitely one of the most interesting and popular hiking in Iceland and even around the world.
Where is Laugavegur and how to get there?
The beginning of the trail begins in Landmannalaugar (I have to admit that to this day I can not correctly pronounce the name of this place) away from the capital of Iceland Reykjavik by 3 hours drive. We've been jokingly calling this place L-15. L-from the first letter of the name of the place. And the number 15 from the number of letters in the name. Note that the international airport is located in Keflavik and from there to there you have 50 km.
If you are not planning to rent a car, you will be able to use public transport. The cost of a ride from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik is about $30 and takes 45 min. Then you will take a bus from Reykjavik Campside to Landmannnalaugar. The cost of the ticket ranges from $55 to $85 per person and lasts about 4 hours. After the trip in Porsmork, you can return by bus to Reykjavik. The cost of the journey is from $150 to $180 per person and lasts 3h 45 min.
I would recommend: For many years, we have been using the Rome2Rio app, which makes it easier for us to find a way to a specific place. The application is free, it is very convenient and will make it easier for you to travel.
We have spent 3 weeks in Iceland. To save time, we rent a car brand Dacia Duster (the cheapest version of 4x4). The cost of renting is $2.000 When booking a car, make sure it is a 4x4 car. The road to the park is mountainous and gravel and on the way you will be forced to cross the rivers.Avenament, for the very beginning we got some valuable tips from a lady working at the rental. Be sure to never let the door of the car out of your hands, as the eternal draft and strong pods of Iceland can pick it up and bend them by damaging the car.
In addition, always check the weather and whether the road has not been closed in the direction you are driving. The weather changes so quickly that it can surprise even the oldest Icelanders.
When is the best time to walk the Laugavegur route?
As you already know, the weather conditions do not spoil tourists visiting Iceland. Regardless of the season, the weather can change very quickly. The summer in Iceland lasts from June to August and only then can you cross the Laugavegur trail. Do not expect hot days, because the temperature in summer will not exceed 20 degrees Celsiusza.
But I have good news for you too! Can you imagine that in Iceland from May to July the sun hardly sets? Later, the day is shortened by three minutes. Which means you can wander as long as you want and the dark night won’t surprise you. That's cool, huh?
How difficult is the Laugavegur trail?
It is a very popular 55-kilometre long trail. But you will cross the mountains, volcanic lava, glaciers, you will be crossing the icy rivers, but from my point of view it is not a difficult trail. Its elevation is only 5846 ft (1781 m). At the same day, you will overcome small hills on the first day. The rest of the days are just a journey through the flat ground. If you have a little good condition and strong will, you will walk the trail even in three days. I read it from a record time for 9 hours.
We made it in three days because we were limited by time. Personally, I think 3 days is enough.
Is it possible to walk the trail without a guide?
- Yes! I guess I've never been on such a well-marked and transparent trail. You can definitely go alone. And if you know your location on the trail, just download the map on the AllTrail app... and get on the road! The trail is also very safe because of the long days that are here during the summer. Not without reason, Laugavegur enjoys great popularity among tourists wandering solo.
There are a lot of companies that will provide you with reservations in huts and transport your belongings. The cost of such an organized trip is very high. We try to stay in the budget and save money by allowing ourselves a longer stay in this country or another trip.
Accommodation on the trail
On the Laugavegur trail you can pitch a tent or buy accommodation in huts, i.e. in a shelter. If you plan to stay in a shelter, you need to make reservations for a year ahead. The prices are unimaginably high and not adequate to what you will get. In the shelter you have access to the public kitchen and dining room. You bring food with you, or it's supplying you with an agency you choose early. Hostels operated by the Icelandic Touring Association and I anticipate electricity is provided only by solar panels. Don’t forget to bring a portable charger from your home to your phone.
Bathrooms with warm water are usually in a separate building and hot water is paid separately. It costs 900 kronor ($6.50).
The Price Factor
If you are traveling by yourself:
Accommodation in the hut will cost you 13,000 kronor ($ 95). The campsite costs about 2,300 kronor ($17) you can pay on site in cash and you don’t need a prior reservation. We chose a cheaper option. We like to sleep in a tent as long as it doesn’t rain. When it rains, we also sleep in the tent because there are usually no places in the huts. You can only break the tent in designated places that are along the trail right next to the shelter.
For campers, there is a large tent called “the tent of the mess”. Here you can cook your meal, make new friends, talk and exchange experiences. At the huts you can also stock up on dry food. Don’t expect a lot of choice in the products and make sure you have cash, as on the trail except Landmannnalaugar doesn’t have internet access.
SLACL OF LAUGAVEGUR
From Keflavic to Landmannalaugar
It's an organizational day. After landing in Keflavik we go to the car rental company. Here, to our surprise, the Poles themselves work. Great, we feel at home. Despite the efficient operation, the rental process takes us an hour, because the car has to undergo a thorough inspection. Then we check the contents of the backpacks again and go to the supermarket for propane cylinders, fruits and what we do not yet have, and we will need on the trail. Iceland is very expensive, so we recommend as much of the proceeds as possible to take from home.
How to shop is only in:
NET or KRONAN – are well-known and affordable networked.
Tap water in Iceland is the cleanest water in the world. There is no need to spend money on bottled water. The road to the park is initially very friendly, while the last few kilometers we drive a mole and gravel road. Along the way, we pass the popular active volcano Hekla, which erupts about every 10 years.
After 3 hours of driving we are slowly approaching the destination. We enter the land of lava and incredibly colorful Brennisteinsalda mountains.
As we approach the end of the journey, to our surprise, the river crosses us. Not a bridge there. It just flows the river. The melting spring snow from the glaciers found an estuary, flooded the road leading to the park and decided to stay there until the summer. We may have to enter from 300 meters, but you can't drive. Evidence of this is a car standing in the middle of the river, whose disapproval of the passage failed.
Well, it got late and the power of things had to be decided. It's better if we find a parking space and stay in the car. Tomorrow we'll think about what next. As it turned out, we were not the only ones who came up with the same idea.
Landmannalaugar
In fact, I should write one sentence here. We spent the first day in the parking lot! Because that's what happened;) On the way, we had minor technical problems with the car and we had to wait “as long as it should be” – that is, we do not know? Fortunately, it only took a day. But let's ski as this incident and move on to the railways of our events
The First Day
Landmannalaugar by the Hrafntinnuskeri gora to Alftavatan Lake.
The day at this time of year lasts almost 24 hours and the sharp rays of the sun are in the hundredth to wake you up from deep sleep in the middle of the night. It is a fantastic and at the same time in the long run a burdensome experience. Anyway, it was a wonderful sunny morning, and there's 25 km ahead of us. A lot, but the day is long, and the trail is not difficult, and the car failure caused a delay of one day.
You can easily find an entrance to the trail, which is located next to the shelter. Initially, the trail will lead you under the volcanic lava field. Your attention will attract the steam coming out of the vents in the ground and the characteristic smell of sulfur floating in the air.
The video 1
You will have colored rocky volcanic mountains called “Sulfur waling”. I'm sure you'll stop here to take a picture, and maybe even a little breaks. You will walk through the snowy mountain peaks until you finally reach the Hrafntinnuskeri shelter after about four hours.
Many wanderers decide to stay here for the night. We stop for a warm meal and move on. We still have 15 km left, the area is very friendly and walks along the gorge very quickly. Finally, the trail descends to the valley towards Lake Alftavatn. It's a dream place for camp. You are surrounded by beautiful mountain landscapes around you, and you will pitch your tent by the river.
The second day
Alftavatn to Emstrur
On this day we have to walk 15 km. We will start the journey from the crossing of the Bratth?lskv?sl River and we will walk in the direction of Havanngil’s hut. Some hikers stay here for the night, but after a short break and a solid meal, we continue our journey. On this day we will go through three other rivers, fortunately the latter offers us a wooden footbridge.
Passing through the mountain river, you should take special care, because the water can be deep, certainly very cold and will have a fast current. Trekking poles are very helpful. Always unfasten your hip belt in case you get into the current and have to quickly drop your backpack. We're going towards Emstrur, green valleys turn into a volcanic desert. For most of the day we go through the black sand and pass the lava rocks.
Be prepared for a sharp drop in temperature. Always have a warm hat and winter jacket on hand. The weather is unpredictable and will surprise you. After five hours of march, we come to a small valley where we will camp our camp.
Day Three
Emstrur do Porsmork (Thorsmork)
To walk 13 km. The last day we will start with a journey towards the canyon from the fast-flowing Syari-Emstrua River. Don't worry, you won't wet your legs here, there's a footbridge on it. When you get to the canyon, you will be able to see a deep gorge where two rivers feed the glaciers come together. You will pass the gorges and you will notice that the landscape is again beginning to change to greener. And there's one more, but that's the last crossing of the river. It is quite shallow, but the current is fast and the water is ice-crinkable.
After crossing the river, you enter the Porsmork region, which means “Der Thor’s Valley”. It is a sincerely gifted with lush vegetation a land in which dwarf trees and shrubs dominate. Be careful and look at the signs. A lot of other trails and easy to confuse. You have another half an hour left and you will get to the end of your trip.
If you end your journey in Porsmork and would like to stay one more night before you return to Reykjavik you have several options. The most popular is the cottage and camping in Langidalur. But if you missed the luxury and the convenience you can stay at Volcano Huta. Here you will enjoy the swimming pool with heated water and a hot sauna.
If you have more time, you can extend your stay by another two days and take another 13 miles as you climb the Fimmvorauhals trail, which leads through two glaciers to the Skogafoss waterfall.
We end our journey and we go looking for a bus that leaves at 14:45. The ticket you need to buy online and the range is only in one place in the parking lot. Ask the driver he'll show you the place. We're going to Hell and we'll stay there tonight. The next morning we go to the bus stop of the car from the supermarket and take the bus at 9:00 a.m. to Landmannalaugar, where we left the car.
The bus from Hella to Landmannalaugar only departs once a day.
What to pack in the backpack
As I wrote before, the weather in Iceland can surprise everyone. In the middle of summer, winter can come. Remember, please do this and keep in mind when you pack your backpack. Good preparation for the expedition is the key to success.
- Convenient checked by you in advance backpack
- High trekking, waterproof shoes.
- Shoes or sandals to cross the river
- Winter jacket, waterproof with hat, scarf and gloves
- Winter clothing ultra light and easily drying
- The tent
- Sleeping bag 4 season
- Sleeping mat or ultra light mattress
- Sunglasses
- High sunscreen SPF
- Lip balm
- Wet wipes wet
- Solar charger for the phone (no electricity in the huts)
- Termos
- Trekking sticks
- First Aid Personal First Aid Kit
- Dried food
Ultralight pots and other things for cooking
- Lighter and matches
- A bottle with propane for cooking
- Map of the
- Bottle for water
The rest depends on your preferences, but remember, you wear everything on your back so don’t take anything that is not necessary.
Respect the Nature
In many countries in the world we meet on routes with different cultures. There are places where it is extremely clean, but unfortunately there are also those where people seem to forget what nature gives us. All you need is the first piece of paper to show up after it every more and more.
Those who come to Iceland are ruled by experience spectacular nature here. Every year, the Laugavegurinn route enters the route from 75,000 to 100,000 people.
The Icelandic environment is very delicate and all wanderers must remember how they should behave here. Please remember to have a garbage bag with you. We leave nothing behind or behind soba. Nothing except for shoe tracks, and only where the trail is marked. In return, nature will reward you with its beauty and provide you with the impressions you will remember for many years.
