Iceland’s Volcanic Trails Trek

The guided Volcanic Trails trekking tour is a wonderful alternative to Iceland’s famous and very popular Laugavegur Trail. The Volcanic Trails trek is more challenging than the Laugavegur Trail and sees far fewer people along its length. However, unless you are a very experienced hiker with good navigation skills, this trail is best done guided – particularly as several of the river crossings can be tricky.

The Volcanic Trails Trek is also a useful alternative to the Laugavegur Trail trek, which sells out 9+ months ahead of time. You will still get stunning views on the Volcanic Trails Trek, but with better availability.

As with the Laugavegur Trail, the scenery varies dramatically over the course of the trek - from dramatic canyons, to bright green moss-covered “trolls”, to black sandy desert, to multi-coloured mountains, to bubbling and steaming geothermal vents. It is a wonderful exploration of the beautiful Southern Highlands of Iceland, minus the crowds.

Hiking the Volcanic Trails in 2026

A few planning notes for a 2026 trek:

• Go in July or August. Like most Highland routes, the Volcanic Trails is only run across the short summer window, with most offerings in July and August when the huts are staffed and the rivers are most manageable. Plan your 2026 dates inside that window.
• A good plan B if the Laugavegur is full. The Laugavegur sells out many months ahead, and its 2026 hut dates are already filling. The Volcanic Trails covers similar Southern Highlands scenery with far better availability, so it is worth considering if you cannot get Laugavegur dates for 2026.
• Book the guided departure early. Because the river crossings make this trek best done guided, you will be booking a guided departure with limited places, so reserve as soon as your dates are set. You can compare options in our self-guided and guided Iceland hiking tours.

The basics of the Volcanic Trails Trek

Closest Major City: Reykjavik, Iceland.

Start: The guided 9-day Volcanic Trails hike starts in Reykjavik and includes the bus to the trail head and from the trail end. Any supplies you want to take with you must be purchased in Reykjavik.

Accommodations: Huts.

Costs: The cost of this trek depends on the exact variation offered by outdoor adventure companies. On a guided tour you stay in huts and only carry a day pack, with the rest of your luggage transported for you, and transportation and meals are included.

Length: 9 days (though there are shorter variations available).

When to Go: Most companies only offer the trip during July and August.

If you are looking for the Laugavegur experience but without the crowds – this is the trek for you.

Ófærufoss waterfall at Eldgjá on Iceland’s Volcanic Trails Trek

Land of green trolls on Iceland’s Volcanic Trails Trek

Health

There is little to worry about from a health perspective while hiking the Volcanic Trails. Being fit and accustomed to hiking for several days (including a few long days) is helpful, and water from streams and at the huts is safe to drink.

The main thing to watch out for is Iceland’s notoriously changeable weather! Even during Summer, you should bring several layers of clothing with you, including a base layer, mid-layer and a quality waterproof/windproof complete outer layer.

Traditional hut on Iceland’s Volcanic Trails Trek

Trail to Strutur on Iceland’s Volcanic Trails Trek

The route

Map

The hike begins at Mt Sveinstindur and spends the first few days exploring a truly volcanic landscape with impressive canyons, fast-flowing rivers, waterfalls, and lava fields covered in the bright green moss that is so typical of Iceland. There is even a remote, natural hot spring along the way!

This eventually gives way to the black sand plain of Mýrdalssandur, a stark contrast to the lush green of the previous days with impressive views of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, and changes once again after you leave the beautiful lake at Álftavötn.

The last part of the hike takes you through multi-coloured rhyolite mountains and steaming and bubbling geothermal vents as you make your way along the back-road to Landmannalaugar – the start of the famous Laugavegur Trail.

Iceland’s Volcanic Trails Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Bus from Reykjavik to Mt Sveinstindur. Local hike. 6km.

Day 2: Mt Sveinstindur – Skælingar. 18km.

Day 3: Skælingar – Hólaskjól. 18km.

Day 4: Hólaskjól to Álftavötn. 10km.

Day 5: Álftavötn to Strútur. 24km

Day 6: Strútur to Hvanngil. 18km.

Day 7: Hvanngil to Álftavatn. 6km.

Day 8: Álftavatn to Dalakofinn. 18km.

Day 9: Dalakofinn to Landmannalaugar. Bus to Reykjavík. 18km.

Route options:

• There are shorter options available with Hólaskjól and Álftavatn as beginning/end points.

Reflections in the lake at Alftavatn on Iceland’s Volcanic Trails TrekIceland’s Volcanic Trails Trek overlooking Rhyolite mountains

Accommodation

All guided tours utilize the rustic but comfortable huts that are spaced along the trail. These provide dormitory accommodation with mattresses (you have to bring your own sleeping bag), a kitchen, and are usually well heated (very welcome if the weather is bad!). All of them have toilet facilities and some have shower facilities available for an extra fee. However, there is no internet and nowhere to charge devices at any of the huts. Make sure you bring enough batteries!

Unnamed waterfall on the way to Dalakofinn on Iceland’s Volcanic Trails TrekLunch on Iceland’s Volcanic Trails Trek

Food

Food (and beer!) is only available at Álftavatn. There is a restaurant/bar located near the hut that serves meals, snacks and a variety of drinks including beer, soft-drinks and wine. Given its remote location and the fact that it is the only restaurant/bar in the highlands – you can probably imagine the prices. But it is an option if you are keen.

Otherwise, you must bring all your food for the trek. This is usually arranged by the outdoor adventure company in advance, and from my experience, it is delicious and more than enough to keep you hiking and definitely not hungry. You don’t need to bring extras!

Written by: Lisa Germany – Lisa fell in love with Iceland and then the Arctic, and spent several summers hiking the best trails in Iceland and Greenland. She shares her knowledge in a series of articles for 10Adventures.

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Planning a trip to Iceland? These guides will help with your next adventure:

• Iceland’s Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls Trek
• A Guide to Backpacking in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
• Iceland’s Shadow of Vatnajökull Trek
• Iceland’s Best Multi-Day Treks