Laugavegur hiking trail is overfull with travellers, reports Morgunblaðið newspaper. The scenic trail runs between Landmannalaugar geothermal area and Þórsmörk, a beautiful mountain valley nestled between Tindfjallajökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. The path is a popular tourist destination, with 70% of all hikers being foreign nationalities.
Read more:Make your trip to Iceland a safe one with a little pre-planning
The Icelandic Touring Association (Ferðafélag Íslands) has spent 100 million ISK (733,353 Euros/ 814,531 USD) annually to preserve and restore the trail, according to director Páll Guðmundsson. “One could claim that Laugavegur is bursting at the seams when it comes to tourism, at least with regards to accommodation and sustainability,” he added.
For the avid hiker, there’s a plethora of alternative hiking trails that will bring you into Iceland’s interior, including Austurstræti, the Old Kjalvegur hiking trail and the Askja hiking trail. Picking these paths will ease the strain on Laugavegur and the chances of overcrowding will dwindle.
1. Austurstræti
Austurstræti stretches from Lón in East Iceland, and all the way to Fljótsdalur, a valley situated in the highlands north of Vatnajökull ice cap. It takes approximately one week to walk the trail from one end to the other.
2. Old Kjalvegur trail
Kjalvegur used to be an old public route, connecting the north and the south. It runs through the centre of the country and takes the hiker through the vast, black highland desert. The three-day-long hike is relatively levelled and easy to walk.
3. Askja hiking trail
This hike is for experienced mountaineers only as it brings you across Ódáðahraun lava field, up onto the 1,300-metre-high Dyngjufjöll mountains (with the possibility of snow blizzards even during summer) and offers limited water supply. But the scenery … oh, the scenery!
The hike takes 5 to 6 days. For further information (and booking of mountain huts) contact FFA at +354 462-2720 or email ffa @ffa.is.
4. Snæfell/Lónsöræfi trail
This popular hiking trail can be done in 3 to 7 days, depending on whether you want to take it nice and slow and really immerse yourself in the scenery, or want a vigorous work-out. The trail crosses amazing landscapes, complete with glaciers, hidden valleys, and bustling rivers. On a clear day, one has an exceptional view over the eastern regions.
5. Hornstrandir nature reserve
The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is located at the northernmost part of the Westfjords. It is Iceland’s most isolated region, outside of the central highlands, and is full of gorgeous hiking trails. Organised trips to the area are only available in June, July and August. To get there, one can either take a scheduled boat tour or charter your own boat from the towns Ísafjörður or Bolungarvík.
Laugavegur hiking trail is overfull with travellers, reports Morgunblaðið newspaper. The scenic trail runs between Landmannalaugar geothermal area and Þórsmörk, a beautiful mountain valley nestled between Tindfjallajökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers. The path is a popular tourist destination, with 70% of all hikers being foreign nationalities.
Read more:Make your trip to Iceland a safe one with a little pre-planning
The Icelandic Touring Association (Ferðafélag Íslands) has spent 100 million ISK (733,353 Euros/ 814,531 USD) annually to preserve and restore the trail, according to director Páll Guðmundsson. “One could claim that Laugavegur is bursting at the seams when it comes to tourism, at least with regards to accommodation and sustainability,” he added.
For the avid hiker, there’s a plethora of alternative hiking trails that will bring you into Iceland’s interior, including Austurstræti, the Old Kjalvegur hiking trail and the Askja hiking trail. Picking these paths will ease the strain on Laugavegur and the chances of overcrowding will dwindle.
1. Austurstræti
Austurstræti stretches from Lón in East Iceland, and all the way to Fljótsdalur, a valley situated in the highlands north of Vatnajökull ice cap. It takes approximately one week to walk the trail from one end to the other.
2. Old Kjalvegur trail
Kjalvegur used to be an old public route, connecting the north and the south. It runs through the centre of the country and takes the hiker through the vast, black highland desert. The three-day-long hike is relatively levelled and easy to walk.
3. Askja hiking trail
This hike is for experienced mountaineers only as it brings you across Ódáðahraun lava field, up onto the 1,300-metre-high Dyngjufjöll mountains (with the possibility of snow blizzards even during summer) and offers limited water supply. But the scenery … oh, the scenery!
The hike takes 5 to 6 days. For further information (and booking of mountain huts) contact FFA at +354 462-2720 or email ffa @ffa.is.
4. Snæfell/Lónsöræfi trail
This popular hiking trail can be done in 3 to 7 days, depending on whether you want to take it nice and slow and really immerse yourself in the scenery, or want a vigorous work-out. The trail crosses amazing landscapes, complete with glaciers, hidden valleys, and bustling rivers. On a clear day, one has an exceptional view over the eastern regions.
5. Hornstrandir nature reserve
The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is located at the northernmost part of the Westfjords. It is Iceland’s most isolated region, outside of the central highlands, and is full of gorgeous hiking trails. Organised trips to the area are only available in June, July and August. To get there, one can either take a scheduled boat tour or charter your own boat from the towns Ísafjörður or Bolungarvík.
