Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Iceland is wild. 🌋 This is Day 1 of my 6-day solo trek across the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails — hiking hut-to-hut through some of Iceland’s most unreal landscapes.
Full Guide: hikingwithlee.com/the-laugavegur-trek-iceland-self-guided-complete-guide
I started early from Landmannalaugar, climbing past steaming fumaroles, rainbow rhyolite mountains, and black volcanic fields on my way to Hrafntinnusker hut — a 12km stage packed with drama.
The weather was perfect to start, but as I gained elevation, the wind picked up and the temperature dropped fast. Along the way, I passed geysers, caldera ridges, and surreal volcanic terrain — including one section where the ground reflected light like a mirror. Iceland really knows how to show off.
At the hut, I met the warden (one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet) who shared insights into the surrounding caldera and why this area is so unique. I settled into the warm kitchen, cooked dinner, and watched the storm roll in. By evening, heavy rain and wild winds battered the plateau, making me very glad I wasn’t in a tent…
This was just the first day — and I’m already blown away by the landscapes, people, and raw wilderness out here. Tomorrow, things get harder…
Full Landmannalaugar Video - youtu.be/k4LgkD1eHGY
📍 Laugavegur Trail Overview
Total Distance → 55 km (4 days)
* Day 1: Landmannalaugar → Hrafntinnusker (12 km, 4-5 hrs)
* Day 2: Hrafntinnusker → Álftavatn (12 km, 4-5 hrs)
* Day 3: Álftavatn → Emstrur via Hvanngil (16 km, 5-6 hrs)
* Day 4: Emstrur → Þórsmörk (15 km, 6-7 hrs)
Fimmvörðuháls Extension → 25 km (2 days)Þórsmörk → Skógar Waterfalls
Day 1 Highlights
* 🚍 Starting from Landmannalaugar
* 🌈 Rainbow rhyolite mountains
* 🌋 Steam vents, geysers & volcanic ridges
* 🏔️ Optional summit: Stórihver (epic viewpoint if weather permits)
* 💎 The surreal “volcanic mirror field”
* 🛖 Arriving at Hrafntinnusker hut
* 🌧 Battling wild wind & rain at night
🎥 Watch the Series
Episode 1 → Landmannalaugar – Iceland’s Hidden Gem (already live)
Episode 2 → YOU ARE HERE
Episode 3 → Hrafntinnusker → Álftavatn
Episode 4 → Álftavatn → Emstrur
Episode 5 → Emstrur → Þórsmörk
Episode 6 → Fimmvörðuháls → Skógar
Chapters
00:00:00 Intro – The Adventure Begins
00:00:45 Day 1 Overview & Route Map
00:01:20 Starting the Hike from Landmannalaugar
00:03:15 Geysers, Steam Vents & Rainbow Mountains
00:07:04 Climbing Towards the Caldera Ridge
00:09:48 Battling the Wind & Cold on the Plateau
00:12:19 Arriving at Hrafntinnusker Hut
00:14:27 Reflections on Day 1 & What’s Next
📸 GEAR I USE
🎥 iPhone 15 Pro Max - amzn.to/3SKEOPR
I have moved over to the iPhone for most of the ground footage - it actually takes amazing videos and my phone is always close by.
🚁 DJI Mini 4 Pro - amzn.to/3W8MVI5
I absolutely love this drone - it’s small, compact and provides amazing footage in 4K.
📷 GoPro - amzn.to/3W88ok9
I still use the GoPro for the ‘on the go’ shots. It has great stablization, battery life and video quality.
If you have any questions around my gear please feel free to drop a comment in the video below.
(These are affiliate links — at no extra cost to you)
Iceland is wild. 🌋 This is Day 1 of my 6-day solo trek across the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails — hiking hut-to-hut through some of Iceland’s most unreal landscapes.
Full Guide: hikingwithlee.com/the-laugavegur-trek-iceland-self-guided-complete-guide
I started early from Landmannalaugar, climbing past steaming fumaroles, rainbow rhyolite mountains, and black volcanic fields on my way to Hrafntinnusker hut — a 12km stage packed with drama.
The weather was perfect to start, but as I gained elevation, the wind picked up and the temperature dropped fast. Along the way, I passed geysers, caldera ridges, and surreal volcanic terrain — including one section where the ground reflected light like a mirror. Iceland really knows how to show off.
At the hut, I met the warden (one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet) who shared insights into the surrounding caldera and why this area is so unique. I settled into the warm kitchen, cooked dinner, and watched the storm roll in. By evening, heavy rain and wild winds battered the plateau, making me very glad I wasn’t in a tent…
This was just the first day — and I’m already blown away by the landscapes, people, and raw wilderness out here. Tomorrow, things get harder…
Full Landmannalaugar Video - youtu.be/k4LgkD1eHGY
📍 Laugavegur Trail Overview
Total Distance → 55 km (4 days)
* Day 1: Landmannalaugar → Hrafntinnusker (12 km, 4-5 hrs)
* Day 2: Hrafntinnusker → Álftavatn (12 km, 4-5 hrs)
* Day 3: Álftavatn → Emstrur via Hvanngil (16 km, 5-6 hrs)
* Day 4: Emstrur → Þórsmörk (15 km, 6-7 hrs)
Fimmvörðuháls Extension → 25 km (2 days)Þórsmörk → Skógar Waterfalls
Day 1 Highlights
* 🚍 Starting from Landmannalaugar
* 🌈 Rainbow rhyolite mountains
* 🌋 Steam vents, geysers & volcanic ridges
* 🏔️ Optional summit: Stórihver (epic viewpoint if weather permits)
* 💎 The surreal “volcanic mirror field”
* 🛖 Arriving at Hrafntinnusker hut
* 🌧 Battling wild wind & rain at night
🎥 Watch the Series
Episode 1 → Landmannalaugar – Iceland’s Hidden Gem (already live)
Episode 2 → YOU ARE HERE
Episode 3 → Hrafntinnusker → Álftavatn
Episode 4 → Álftavatn → Emstrur
Episode 5 → Emstrur → Þórsmörk
Episode 6 → Fimmvörðuháls → Skógar
Chapters
00:00:00 Intro – The Adventure Begins
00:00:45 Day 1 Overview & Route Map
00:01:20 Starting the Hike from Landmannalaugar
00:03:15 Geysers, Steam Vents & Rainbow Mountains
00:07:04 Climbing Towards the Caldera Ridge
00:09:48 Battling the Wind & Cold on the Plateau
00:12:19 Arriving at Hrafntinnusker Hut
00:14:27 Reflections on Day 1 & What’s Next
📸 GEAR I USE
🎥 iPhone 15 Pro Max - amzn.to/3SKEOPR
I have moved over to the iPhone for most of the ground footage - it actually takes amazing videos and my phone is always close by.
🚁 DJI Mini 4 Pro - amzn.to/3W8MVI5
I absolutely love this drone - it’s small, compact and provides amazing footage in 4K.
📷 GoPro - amzn.to/3W88ok9
I still use the GoPro for the ‘on the go’ shots. It has great stablization, battery life and video quality.
If you have any questions around my gear please feel free to drop a comment in the video below.
(These are affiliate links — at no extra cost to you)
