Iceland Dalastigur Trek

After pick-up in Reykjavik, we set course for Landmannalaugar in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve – famed for its colourful rhyolite mountains, geothermal hot springs and expansive lava fields. We begin our trek on the Laugavegur trail, crossing the Laugahraun lava field, before leaving the main route towards Landmannahellir.

We hike through remote mountains and past mountain lakes, reaching the day’s high point at 823 metres – in clear conditions, views can stretch to Vatnajökull, Langjökull and Hofsjökull. Today’s trek covers 19 kilometres, starting at roughly 600 metres and ending at a similar elevation at the Landmannahellir mountain hut, where we spend the first night.

After breakfast at Landmannahellir hut, we prepare our packed lunches and set off towards Dalakofi hut. We follow Rauðifoss – a red‑tinted waterfall coloured by iron oxidation – and continue to its source, the striking red eye. The route features more waterfalls, colourful canyons and hills, with steam rising from Reykjadalir valley where geothermal activity and hot springs are present. We reach our highest point at about 1,000 m above sea level, with broad views in good weather that can include glaciers, Hrafntinnusker and Lake Álftavatn. This path is seldom travelled, so we are unlikely to meet many other hikers. We finish at Dalakofi hut after approximately 17.5 km – around 8 hours on the trail.

We leave Dalakofi hut and trek towards Hungurfit hut, travelling alongside Markarfljotsgljufur – a magnificent canyon that appears in and out of view today and again tomorrow. En route we cross a colourful area of the Torfajökull glacier–volcano system before finishing the day at Hungurfit hut. Expect around 22.8 km of hiking over 8–9 hours.

We leave Hungurfit hut and trek across starker volcanic terrain with sparse vegetation, where ash fields, tuff hills and weathered ridges reveal past eruptions. We follow the river Hvitmagana and skirt the edge of Torfajökull’s glacier area as the landscape opens out. Before finishing, we pause to take in the impressive Markarfljotsgljufur canyon – a fitting finale to the trek. The day’s hike is 15 km and ends at Mosi hut, where we meet our vehicle for the transfer back to Reykjavik.