Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Iceland never stops surprising you. 🌋
This is Day 2 of my 6-day solo trek across the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails — an unforgettable journey through Iceland’s wild highlands.
Full Guide: hikingwithlee.com/the-laugavegur-trek-iceland-self-guided-complete-guide
I woke up to rain, wind, and low visibility at Hrafntinnusker hut, expecting a miserable slog… but instead, the day turned out to be something else entirely.
From hiking along a misty caldera wrapped in clouds, to crossing my first glacier-fed river, and finally descending into a breathtaking black sand valley framed by colourful rhyolite mountains — it felt moody, cinematic, and otherworldly.
I finished the day at Álftavatn hut, right on the edge of a lake, where hot food, cold beer, and a warm bed made it feel like pure luxury compared to the night before.
And the best part? Tomorrow promises better weather, bigger views, and even more epic landscapes.
📍 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 2 Highlights
* 🌫️ Hiking through misty caldera ridges
* ❄️ Crossing my first glacier-fed river
* 🏔️ Epic black sand valley with colourful mountains
* 🛖 Staying at Álftavatn hut by the lake
* 🍲 Hot food, Icelandic beer, and cozy beds
* 🥃 Warming up the evening with whiskey & new friends
🎥 Watch the Series
Episode 1 → Landmannalaugar – Iceland’s Hidden Gem (already live)
Episode 2 → YOU ARE HERE
Episode 3 → Álftavatn → Emstrur (coming soon)
Episode 4 → Emstrur → Þórsmörk
Episode 5 → Fimmvörðuháls → Skógar
📸 Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:43 Morning at Hrafntinnusker Hut
00:01:17 Into the Misty Caldera
00:02:40 Snow Patches, Steam & Wind
00:07:28 First River Crossing
00:08:15 Opening Into the Black Sand Valley
00:09:31 Arriving at Álftavatn Hut
00:10:32 Hot Food, Cold Beer
00:11:17 Evening Reflections
📸 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 never stops surprising you. 🌋
This is Day 2 of my 6-day solo trek across the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails — an unforgettable journey through Iceland’s wild highlands.
Full Guide: hikingwithlee.com/the-laugavegur-trek-iceland-self-guided-complete-guide
I woke up to rain, wind, and low visibility at Hrafntinnusker hut, expecting a miserable slog… but instead, the day turned out to be something else entirely.
From hiking along a misty caldera wrapped in clouds, to crossing my first glacier-fed river, and finally descending into a breathtaking black sand valley framed by colourful rhyolite mountains — it felt moody, cinematic, and otherworldly.
I finished the day at Álftavatn hut, right on the edge of a lake, where hot food, cold beer, and a warm bed made it feel like pure luxury compared to the night before.
And the best part? Tomorrow promises better weather, bigger views, and even more epic landscapes.
📍 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 2 Highlights
* 🌫️ Hiking through misty caldera ridges
* ❄️ Crossing my first glacier-fed river
* 🏔️ Epic black sand valley with colourful mountains
* 🛖 Staying at Álftavatn hut by the lake
* 🍲 Hot food, Icelandic beer, and cozy beds
* 🥃 Warming up the evening with whiskey & new friends
🎥 Watch the Series
Episode 1 → Landmannalaugar – Iceland’s Hidden Gem (already live)
Episode 2 → YOU ARE HERE
Episode 3 → Álftavatn → Emstrur (coming soon)
Episode 4 → Emstrur → Þórsmörk
Episode 5 → Fimmvörðuháls → Skógar
📸 Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:43 Morning at Hrafntinnusker Hut
00:01:17 Into the Misty Caldera
00:02:40 Snow Patches, Steam & Wind
00:07:28 First River Crossing
00:08:15 Opening Into the Black Sand Valley
00:09:31 Arriving at Álftavatn Hut
00:10:32 Hot Food, Cold Beer
00:11:17 Evening Reflections
📸 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)
