Iceland Eldgja Trek & Beyond

We start in Reykjavik with pick up from designated bus stops and most hotels from 08:30. After pick up, we drive to Landmannalaugar - known for its colourful rhyolite mountains, geothermal springs and lava fields - where we pause for around two hours. During this stop you can join our guide on a gentle 4.5 km walk through the Laugahraun lava field to Brennisteinsalda and back via Graenagil, taking in geothermal streams and vivid mountain scenery, or you can relax in the natural hot spring before we continue. Landmannalaugar sits within the protected Fjallabak Nature Reserve.

From here, we continue by 4x4 bus along the F208 mountain road - a challenging route suitable only for 4x4 vehicles - to Lake Langisjor and the peak of Sveinstindur. We begin our main hike at Langisjor, ascending Sveinstindur for wide views over surrounding valleys and mountains, then carry on to a cabin by the River Skafta for the night. Expect around 4-5 hours of hiking today with an elevation gain of roughly 500-600 metres - the route starts near 600 metres above sea level and the summit stands at 1,090 metres.

Please Note: The trek is considered to be moderate with some inclines. There are two days where we cover 18 km per day.

We set out along the River Skafta, continuing past Hvanngil valley and beneath the flanks of Uxatindur. It's a full day on foot - around 18 km and roughly eight hours - through colourful highland scenery with wide, far-reaching views throughout.

Our goal is Skaelingar, an area noted for unusual lava formations shaped during the Skaftareldar eruptions. An old cabin here - once used by farmers during the autumn sheep round-up - speaks to the region's pastoral past. If you're up for it, you can round off the day with a bracing dip in a cold mere.

We set out with a steady climb to Gjatindur for far reaching views across the highlands, including the Eldgja fissure. From the summit we descend into the lava canyon and follow the trail to Ófaerufoss, where we pause for lunch, then continue to Holaskjol Highland Center for a barbecue dinner and an overnight in the cabin. Expect around 18 km of hiking - typically about 8 hours on the trail. Formed by eruptions in 934, Eldgja cuts a canyon running from Gjatindur towards Mýrdalsjökull in the southeast - it is part of the Katla volcanic system and its eruption released an estimated 19 km³ of lava, the largest known lava flow from a single historical eruption.

We start around midday and follow the Syðri Ófaera river, pausing to take in an impressive unnamed waterfall. Keeping by the riverside, we continue to the shepherds' hut at Álftavötn for dinner and an overnight stay. Álftavötn is a clear, spring‑fed lake on the edge of the lava fields, fringed with low vegetation, and a natural stone bridge spans the Syðri-Ófaera here - a distinctive feature of the area. Today's trek is approximately 8 km and takes 4-5 hours.

Leaving Álftavötn, we set out along an unmarked route far from any road, crossing a broad valley dotted with lakes and rivers - its name, Swan Lakes, reflects the setting. Depending on the time of year, you may spot swans and other birdlife as we pass through the Eldgja fissure and alongside the vast Svartahnuksfjöll on our way to Strutslaug, a remote geothermal area south of Torfajökull.

Here you can unwind in a completely natural hot spring - there are no changing facilities and it's unlikely we'll meet other trekkers in this trackless area. From Strutslaug it's about 1.5 hours to Strutur hut, where we spend our final night on the trail and enjoy a barbecue in the evening. Today's hike covers 21.8 km - expect around 7-8 hours of active walking.

We leave Strutur hut and cross the low ridge of Veðurhals, then continue over the black volcanic sands of Maelifellsandur to Slysaalda - a site associated with stories of outlaws and a tragic accident in 1868. Along the way there may be good views across the Maelifellsandur plain and towards the mountain Maelifell as we head into Hvanngil Valley. The hike ends at Hvanngil hut, where we are picked up for our transfer back to Reykjavik. Today's trek is approximately 18 km - around seven hours of active walking.