Lónsöræfi Trail

7 days / 680.000 ISK
See available dates
7 days / 680.000 ISK
See available dates

DURATION

7 Days

MINIMUM AGE

17

DIFFICULTY

Very challenging

Tailored for individuals who are in good physical condition and feel comfortable hiking on uneven terrain while carrying a backpack. Daily hikes cover approximately 20km / 13mi, demanding around 5-8 hours of hiking each day. It involves carrying your own gear & food as part of the experience.

ACCOMODATION

Mountain huts

GROUP

7-10 people

SEASON

Summer

Lónsöræfi is a self-supported backpacking adventure into one of Iceland’s most remote and spectacular wilderness areas. Over seven days, we’ll hike deep into the East Icelandic Highlands, following rugged trails through colourful mountains, glacial valleys, steep river gorges, and landscapes shaped old volcanoes.

Far from Iceland’s better-known trails, we’ll travel through a landscape where reindeer roam freely and glaciers stretch across the horizon. Nights are spent in remote mountain huts, and the routes take us through some of the most dramatic and little-visited corners of the country.
With steep and exposed sections, river crossings, fixed ropes and chains, and long days in the mountains, this is a true wilderness hiking experience.


Join one of our expert guides and a small group of adventurers to backpack through the wild heart of East Iceland, finishing in the fishing village of Höfn after seven days on the trail.


Preparing for the trek? See our Lónsöræfi Trail packing list for East Iceland.

EXPLORE the
EASTERN HIGHLANDS

This 7-day Iceland trek takes you deep into the wild landscapes of Lónsöræfi, one of the country’s most remote and spectacular wilderness areas. Where colourful rhyolite mountains rise above deep valleys and pockets of birch woodland. We’ll travel through the dramatic Tröllakrókar, or “Troll Cliffs,” along steep river gorges and remote mountain trails shaped by millions of years of volcanic and glacial activity.

Lónsöræfi has long been one of Iceland’s more isolated regions, known locally as the Stafafellsfjöll, and its remoteness has helped preserve a landscape that feels far removed from modern Iceland. Once more heavily wooded than the Iceland we know today, the valleys still hold low woodland between the mountains, creating a striking contrast with the barren highlands above.

Mountain ridgeline views in the Icelandic Highlands during the Hidden Trails of Iceland hiking expedition
Grænihryggur green ridge in the Landmannalaugar range during the Hidden Trails of Iceland hiking expedition
Hikers crossing the black sand desert of Mælifellssandur after joining the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland

Hiking through the remote wilderness of Lónsöræfi, where mountains, deep river valleys, and vertical cliffs invite intrepid hikers to venture beyond the beaten path.

CREATE Lifelong MEMORIES

Join a small group of 7–10 backpackers and experience a true wilderness journey through the remote landscapes of Lónsöræfi.


Here, the mountains set the pace. Together, we’ll cross glacial rivers, navigate steep and exposed trails, explore volcanic cliffs, and spend our nights in remote mountain huts far from the roads and crowds.

The rugged terrain and ever-changing Icelandic weather make teamwork part of the experience, while shared meals, long days on the trail, and evenings around the hut bring the group together.

Our trip with Amarok adventures was absolutely incredible in every way. We spent five days hiking and backpacking in the East highlands of Iceland and had such a transformative experience. The thoughtfulness given to every detail of each day is remarkable. We were so impressed with the journey, the food, the information and stories shared along the trip, and so much more.

Hikers resting with views over the Emstrur region along the Hidden Trails of Iceland hiking expedition
Hiker overlooking Ófaerufoss waterfall in the Icelandic Highlands during the Hidden Trails of Iceland hiking expedition
Hikers walking along a ridge in Jökulgil near the Landmannalaugar range in Iceland

An adventure through rugged gullies, where you’ll use ropes and chains to descend steep terrain, while reindeer roam between towering mountains, glaciers, and pockets of woodland.

REMOTE MOUNTAIN HUTS

Once we leave the lowlands behind and enter the remote landscapes of Lónsöræfi, our accommodation becomes part of the adventure. We’ll spend 4 nights in small, traditional mountain huts, surrounded by mountains, rivers, and the vast wilderness of the Eastern Highlands. These are simple shelters built for life in the mountains, with shared sleeping spaces, basic facilities, and wood or gas heating.


After very long days on the trail, we’ll gather around the warmth of the hut, share stories, and enjoy dinner all together.

Breakfast and dinner will be provided throughout the trek, with all the food for the journey distributed to participants during the initial briefing in Reykjavík and carried in their backpacks throughout the trip. Our first night before hitting the trail in Iceland will be spent at Laugarfell, while after emerging from the mountains, we’ll spend our final night in a hotel in Höfn. Here, you’ll have a comfortable twin room with a shared bathroom facilities; a welcome change of pace after several nights in the wilderness.

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Your adventure begins

We begin our journey in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital and largest city. Your guides will meet you and the rest of the group at Amarok Adventures Basecamp for the initial briefing in the morning of Day 1.

After the briefing, we’ll prepare our equipment and distribute the food each participant will carry throughout the trek.
We’ll then take a 45-minute flight to Egilsstaðir, followed by a 60-minute drive to Laugarfell.

If weather allows, we’ll hike the Waterfall Circle through the canyon near our accommodation.
A scenic introduction to the landscapes and adventure ahead.


Distance:
8km
Elevation gain: 201m / Elevation loss: 200m
Hike based on weather conditions.

2
Day 2: Hike to Geldingafell

After breakfast, we’ll leave Laugarfell by vehicle and make our way to Kelduarlón, where we’ll begin our trek into the north east part of the Vatnajökull glacier. From here, we’ll shoulder our packs and set off towards Geldingafell, following a route of approximately 13 km through the remote and dramatic landscapes of the reserve.

Keep an eye out for reindeer herds roaming across the surrounding valleys. On a clear day, Mt. Snæfell and distant glaciers provide an impressive backdrop to the journey. We’ll cross a river and make the final approach to Geldingafellskáli, a small, cosy mountain hut warmed by a wood stove.


Distance:
13-15km
Elevation gain: 278m / Elevation loss: 176m

3
Day 3: Hike to Egilssel

After breakfast, we’ll leave the hut behind and continue towards Egilssel, with approximately 17 km of hiking ahead of us. The trail takes us across the stark, glacial landscape with barren ridges and glacial deposits.

As we reach the dramatic valley of Vesturdalur, we’ll encounter a spectacular waterfall where the river plunges through the rugged landscape. From here, we follow Vesturdalsá towards Kollumúlavatn, with the imposing Tröllakrókahnaus rising above the surrounding terrain. The mountain and its surrounding cliffs are characteristic of this part of Lónsöræfi, where volcanic rock, deep valleys and glacially shaped formations create an almost otherworldly landscape.


Distance:
13-15km
Elevation gain: 493m / Elevation loss: 627m

4
Day 4: Hike to the Troll cliffs & arrive in Múlaskáli

After breakfast at Egilssel, we’ll leave Kollumúlavatn behind and continue towards one of the most spectacular sections of the journey: Tröllakrókar, the “Troll Cliffs.” The trail takes us towards these spectacular vertical drops, where towering basalt formations rise above the surrounding landscape.

The route, between 12 to 15km, continues through steep and varied terrain, often following close to the river as we make our way through the mountains. We’ll reach Leiðartungur, where the character of the trail becomes more adventurous. Here, we’ll climb and descend steep gullies using fixed ropes and chains to assist us through sections of the vertical terrain, before continuing towards Múlaskáli, where the dramatic rhyolitic mountains of different colors meet the birch forests of Lónsöræfi.


Distance:
12-15km
Elevation gain: 189m / Elevation loss: 633m

5
Day 5: Around Múlaskáli

Today we’ll explore the spectacular surroundings of Múlaskáli and we will return in the evening to the same hut, with the exact route decided by your guide according to the weather conditions, visibility, and the energy of the group.

The area offers a variety of possibilities, from shorter walks through colourful gullies and valleys to longer mountain routes with more elevation gain. Depending on conditions, we may venture towards the ridges and peaks surrounding the hut, passing waterfalls, striking rock formations, and the distinctive volcanic landscapes that make Lónsöræfi so unique.


Distance:
15-17km
Elevation gain: 650m / Elevation loss: 650m

6
Day 6: Leaving Lónsöræfi

After breakfast, we’ll leave Múlaskáli behind and begin our final day on the trail. The route takes us first up to Illikambur & then down towards Jökulsá í Lóni, with approximately 15 km of hiking through steep and exposed terrain, full of cliffs, scree, gullies & narrow trails.

As we descend along the river, the landscape gradually opens up, and the character of the mountains begins to change as we make our way towards Eskifell. On a clear day, we may catch our first views of the sea in the distance, a fitting finale to our journey through the remote landscapes of Lónsöræfi. We will finish at Iceland’s longest suspension bridge. Here, our superjeep will be waiting to pick us up and take us to Höfn.

Night in a hotel and last dinner together.


Distance:
15km
Elevation gain: 546m / Elevation loss: 650m

7
Day 7: Return to Reykjavík

After breakfast, we’ll make our way to Höfn Airport for our flight back to Reykjavík.

This marks the end of our journey through Lónsöræfi. After several days of hiking through remote valleys, steep mountain terrain, glaciers, rivers and colourful landscapes, we’ll leave the East behind and return to Reykjavík with the memories of an unforgettable adventure in the Icelandic Eastern highlands.

*Itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions or the interest of the group.

What you
should know

Included

  • Local certified guide from Amarok Adventures.
  • 1 experienced & licensed driver & vehicle for getting to the Highlands from Egilsstaðir and back from the Highlands to Höfn.
  • Domestic flight from Reykjavík Domestic Airport to Egilsstaðir Domestic Airport.
  • Domestic flight from Höfn Domestic Airport to Reykjavík Domestic Airport.
  • Accommodation in mountain huts in multiple rooms.
  • Accommodation in twin rooms in Laugarfell with breakfast & in Höfn with breakfast.
  • Dehydrated food for the whole traverse that will need to be carried by the participants during the hiking days.
  • Agency support 24/7.

Not included

  • International flights & transfers from/ to Keflavík International airport.
  • Accommodation in Reykjavík.
  • Any meals in Reykjavík and 1st dinner with the group in Laugarfell.
  • Last dinner at Höfn.
  • Showers on the mountain huts.
  • Lockers in Reykjavík in case of leaving the remain luggage that is not going to be used during the trip.
  • Sleeping bag & personal hiking gear.
  • Luggage or food transportation while hiking (impossible to be arranged).
  • Trip insurance with helicopter rescue coverage (mandatory).
  • Everything not specified in “Included”.

Booking & Cancellation Conditions

FAQ

For more information please read our Terms & conditions or Send an inquiry