Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
The final day of the Laugavegur Trail — 55 km across Iceland’s wild highlands — and what a finish it was. 🌲
Day 4 took me from the black deserts of Emstrur down into the green valleys of Þórsmörk.
Full guide: hikingwithlee.com/the-laugavegur-trek-iceland-self-guided-complete-guide
It was a day of contrasts:
✅ Steep sandy descents into dramatic gorges
✅ Bridges over glacial rivers roaring below
✅ Moody clouds sweeping across volcanic ridges
✅ And finally, Iceland’s rare “forests” — small, bushy woodlands that feel surreal after days of barren highlands
After 15 km, one last challenge remained: the widest and strongest river crossing of the trek. Shoes off, poles down, and one careful step at a time. Once across, the trail wound into lush valleys, head-high birch trees, and finally Þórsmörk hut — the official end of the Laugavegur Trail.
And yes, I celebrated with a hot shower, a bunk in the corner, and the knowledge that I’d just completed one of the world’s most beautiful treks.
But the adventure wasn’t over yet — because next, I’d continue onto the Fimmvörðuháls Trail… over volcanoes, between glaciers, and down to Skógafoss.
📍 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 4 Highlights
🏔️ Steep descents with epic gorge views
🌉 Bridge crossing over a rushing glacial river
🌫️ Moody volcanic ridges under low clouds
🌳 Entering Iceland’s rare forests in Þórsmörk
🌊 Final and widest river crossing of the trek
🛖 Arriving at Þórsmörk huts — the end of the Laugavegur Trail
Chapters:
00:00 Intro – The Final Day Begins 🌫️
00:49 Leaving Emstrur Hut 🛖
05:13 Steep Sandy Descents 🥾
06:30 Crossing the Gorge Bridge 🌉
08:16 Black Sands & Moody Ridges ⛰️
09:14 Signs of Life – Bushes & Birches 🌿
10:15 The Final River Crossing 🌊
10:44 Entering Þórsmörk’s “Forest” 🌳
11:28 Mistakenly Arriving at Volcano Huts 🍔🍺
12:28 The Real Finish Line – Þórsmörk Hut 🎉
14:05 Wrapping Up the Laugavegur Trail 🌍
🎥 Watch the Series
Episode 1 → Landmannalaugar – Iceland’s Hidden Gem 🌋
Episode 2 → Hrafntinnusker → Álftavatn 🌫️
Episode 3 → Álftavatn → Emstrur 🌞
Episode 4 → YOU ARE HERE
Episode 5 → Fimmvörðuháls → Skógar 💦
📸 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)
The final day of the Laugavegur Trail — 55 km across Iceland’s wild highlands — and what a finish it was. 🌲
Day 4 took me from the black deserts of Emstrur down into the green valleys of Þórsmörk.
Full guide: hikingwithlee.com/the-laugavegur-trek-iceland-self-guided-complete-guide
It was a day of contrasts:
✅ Steep sandy descents into dramatic gorges
✅ Bridges over glacial rivers roaring below
✅ Moody clouds sweeping across volcanic ridges
✅ And finally, Iceland’s rare “forests” — small, bushy woodlands that feel surreal after days of barren highlands
After 15 km, one last challenge remained: the widest and strongest river crossing of the trek. Shoes off, poles down, and one careful step at a time. Once across, the trail wound into lush valleys, head-high birch trees, and finally Þórsmörk hut — the official end of the Laugavegur Trail.
And yes, I celebrated with a hot shower, a bunk in the corner, and the knowledge that I’d just completed one of the world’s most beautiful treks.
But the adventure wasn’t over yet — because next, I’d continue onto the Fimmvörðuháls Trail… over volcanoes, between glaciers, and down to Skógafoss.
📍 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 4 Highlights
🏔️ Steep descents with epic gorge views
🌉 Bridge crossing over a rushing glacial river
🌫️ Moody volcanic ridges under low clouds
🌳 Entering Iceland’s rare forests in Þórsmörk
🌊 Final and widest river crossing of the trek
🛖 Arriving at Þórsmörk huts — the end of the Laugavegur Trail
Chapters:
00:00 Intro – The Final Day Begins 🌫️
00:49 Leaving Emstrur Hut 🛖
05:13 Steep Sandy Descents 🥾
06:30 Crossing the Gorge Bridge 🌉
08:16 Black Sands & Moody Ridges ⛰️
09:14 Signs of Life – Bushes & Birches 🌿
10:15 The Final River Crossing 🌊
10:44 Entering Þórsmörk’s “Forest” 🌳
11:28 Mistakenly Arriving at Volcano Huts 🍔🍺
12:28 The Real Finish Line – Þórsmörk Hut 🎉
14:05 Wrapping Up the Laugavegur Trail 🌍
🎥 Watch the Series
Episode 1 → Landmannalaugar – Iceland’s Hidden Gem 🌋
Episode 2 → Hrafntinnusker → Álftavatn 🌫️
Episode 3 → Álftavatn → Emstrur 🌞
Episode 4 → YOU ARE HERE
Episode 5 → Fimmvörðuháls → Skógar 💦
📸 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)
