LÓNSÖRÆFI TRAIL – PACKING LIST
Please note that:
- Mandatory to bring
- Recommended to bring
- Everything listed needs to fit inside your backpack. Nothing should be hanging out of it. Note that you will be backpacking in the wilderness and sometimes it can be quite humid outside.
- Hiking temperatures around 5ºC to 10ºC / 41ºF to 50ºF. Night temperatures around 5ºC / 41ºF.
- Your backpack should weigh no more than 8 kg (17 lbs) including all your personal gear, sleeping bag & excluding the food. On the first day of the expedition, you’ll also be given your share of the food for the entire trip.
- For a 7-day expedition, plan to carry approximately 3–4 kg (6.6–8.8 lbs) of food per person, including dehydrated breakfasts and dinners, lunches, and snacks.
- Although the guide has a first-aid kit, each traveler must carry what they consider necessary depending on personal pathologies, needs, risks, etc.
- Drones are completely forbidden in our hiking trips unless the opposite is stated by Amarok Adventures ehf.
- You should only bring what you are going to use. Lockers or storage services are only available in Reykjavík.
The Lónsöræfi Trail is a remote backpacking route through the Highlands of East Iceland, where Arctic weather, challenging river crossings and long days carrying all your gear demand careful preparation. This packing list draws on the equipment we use and recommend for our guided Lónsöræfi trail expedition.
The quantities listed for certain items serve as indicative and recommended amounts according to our lead guides.
Personal Gear
CARRIED INDIVIDUALLY
Important!
You need to have room in your backpack for all this gear.
- A 40 to 60L backpack with rain cover.
You can also bring a different size as long as it fits everything inside. Please make sure to have enough room for the food & the rest of your gear. - Sleeping bag with comfort temperature 5ºC to 10ºC (41ºF to 50ºF).
You do not need a sleeping mat. Mountain huts in Iceland have mattresses. - Waterproof butt pad.
- Waterproof / drybag for your clothes (3 pcs).
- Waterproof hiking boots (1 pair).
- 1st layer: Merino base layer (1-2 pcs).
- 2nd layer: Hoody fleece jacket (1-2 pcs).
- 3rd layer: Down or fiber jacket (1 pcs).
- GoreTex jacket & pants (1 pcs each).
- Zip-off leg hiking pants (1 pcs).
- Short sleeve t-shirts (2-3 pcs).
- Long sleeve t-shirts (1-2 pcs).
- Underwear & hiking socks.
- Short hiking gaiters.
- Warm beanie (1 pcs) & cap (1 pcs).
- Waterproof gloves/mittens.
- Hiking buff & camp towel / Bandana.
Ideally that could be used as a sweatband & towel. - Swimsuit.
There is one hot spring at the beginning of the trip, in Laugarfell. - Sturdy watershoes for river crossing.
Ideally watershoes can be used also as “hut shoes”. Crocs are a great option. - Neoprene socks (1 pair).
They come handy for very cold river crossings. - Personal toiletries & personal first-aid kit.
- 1 roll of toilet paper for your personal use during the trail.
Mountain huts have toilet paper, but it’s great for you to carry one in case you need it while hiking. - Sunscreen & sunglasses.
- Earplugs & pillow for a nice sleep in the huts.
- Photo camera, phone, batteries & power bank.
There are no electric outlets in the mountain huts for recharging your devices. - Hiking poles (for river crossing).
- Water bottle, water bladder or thermo bottle.
- Headlamp.
Expedition meals – Per person
CARRIED PER PERSON
While the dehydrated meals will be provided by Amarok Adventures the other items need to be brought by each participant.
- Mug. *Brought by you.
- Long spork or similar cutlery. *Brought by you.
- Electrolytes & trail mix. *Brought by you.
- Snacks, bars, jerky, dry fruit, etc.
*Provided by Amarok Adventures. - Dehydrated breakfast & dinner packs.*
2 packs per day, approximately a total of 8 packs.
*Provided by Amarok Adventures.
Other gear
RECOMMENDED TO BE CARRIED PER PERSON
Not necessary to bring, but might come handy.
- Small sewing kit.
- Leatherman / pocket knife.
- Imodium – Loperamide.
- Oral antibiotic for chest infection.
- Topical antibiotic cream for skin infection.
Want to see what this gear looks like in action?
Read our 2027 Lónsöræfi Trail for a day-by-day look at the trek.
Last updated: October 2026
Gear requirements can change between expedition seasons. Confirm the current packing list before departure.
Join us next summer for aN LÓNSÖRÆFI TRAIL Backpacking expedition
Venture with us to the Highlands of East Iceland, beyond the edge of the map.
