Iceland Running Tours: Exploring the Laugavegur Trail on Foot
Iceland is a dream destination for trail runners, with colourful volcanic mountains, vast lava fields, glacial rivers, and dramatic waterfalls around every turn. The Laugavegur Trail takes you through the heart of this extraordinary landscape, from the geothermal hot springs of Landmannalaugar to the lush valleys of Þórsmörk, offering an unforgettable way to experience Iceland on foot.
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1. Why Go Trail Running in Iceland?
The constantly evolving volcanic landscapes of Iceland create an incredible variety of terrain, from soft volcanic ash and black sand to rocky mountain paths, rolling hills and wide open valleys. You're always adapting to the ground beneath your feet, making every run feel unique.
Many of Iceland's popular trails are well established and marked, with mountain huts and campsites along some of the longer routes. This makes it possible to plan multi day running adventures through remote landscapes, without having to return to the same base every evening.
Summer is the main season for mountain hiking and running, with long daylight hours giving you plenty of time to explore. The weather can still be unpredictable, but the extended daylight makes it easier to enjoy longer days on the trails.
Other than the practical stuff, the scenery of Iceland is unlike anywhere else in the world. Iceland is a volcanically active island that's constantly changing through time, producing landscapes that feel almost otherworldly. Warm brown mountains, bright white snow, jet black volcanic rock, green moss covered lava fields, and rushing glacial rivers combine to create views that look like paintings you'd hang in a museum.
Add in the country's fascinating Viking history, especially surrounding the area of Reykjavík, and you've got a running destination that offers much more than just great trails.
Why runners love Iceland
Dramatic volcanic landscapes and mountain trails
Glaciers, waterfalls and wild river crossings
Remote routes and wide open wilderness
Long summer days for exploring
Natural geothermal pools to relax in after a run
2. The Laugavegur Trail
Stretching approximately 34 miles (55 kilometers) between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk, the Laugavegur Trail is one of Iceland's most celebrated routes.
The adventure begins in Landmannalaugar, crossing the Laugahraun lava field before climbing alongside Brennisteinsalda, a striking mountain known for its vibrant colors. From here, the trail leads onto a high plateau, weaving through ravines and remarkable obsidian fields formed from volcanic glass.
As you progress, the landscape continues to change, with sweeping mountain views, geothermal terrain and, on clear days, distant views of three glaciers: Mýrdalsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull and Tindfjallajökull.
Along the way, remote mountain huts provide a place to rest, refuel and meet fellow adventurers. Sharing a meal and swapping stories with other travelers is all part of the experience, making the Laugavegur Trail about much more than the miles you cover.
Highlights of the Laugavegur Trail
Landmannalaugar: Colorful mountains and geothermal scenery.
Álftavatn: A beautiful mountain lake surrounded by open wilderness.
Emstrur: Striking black sand landscapes and glacial views.
Þórsmörk: A lush valley surrounded by rugged mountains and glaciers.
3. Fimmvörðuháls Trail
Also a popular Icelandic route, connecting Þórsmörk with Skógar on Iceland's southern coast, the Fimmvörðuháls Trail takes you between the glaciers of Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull before leading you past 26 waterfalls along the Skóga River.
As you descend, the waterfalls gradually grow in size, building towards the grand finale: Skógafoss. Standing 60 meters tall, this spectacular waterfall makes for an incredibly emotional finish. Its sheer scale is difficult to comprehend until you're standing right in front of it, making it feel like the ultimate reward after a day on the trails.
Combining the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails creates a multi-day adventure covering approximately 100km through the remote landscapes of Iceland’s interior. It’s a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering a way to explore the country’s most spectacular natural landscapes on foot. It's a challenging route, but the combination of glaciers, volcanic landscapes and cascading waterfalls makes it an experience you'll never forget.
4. Planning Your Iceland Running Adventure
Exploring Iceland's remote mountain trails takes more planning than your average running vacation. The weather can change quickly, river crossings can be challenging, and mobile coverage is limited in many areas. You'll also need to plan your route, arrange accommodation in advance, and make sure you're prepared for emergencies.
Here are a few things to consider when planning your own Iceland running trip:
Weather preparation: Pack waterproofs, warm layers, emergency blanket, and suitable trail shoes for rapidly changing conditions.
Time of year: Check trail opening dates, snow conditions, and seasonal access restrictions before booking.
River crossings: Understand how to assess water depth, current strength, and safe crossing points.
First aid: Carry a suitable first aid kit and know how to deal with common trail injuries.
Accommodation: Research mountain huts and campsites, and reserve your overnight stops well in advance.
Maps and navigation: Carry reliable maps and a GPS device, and know how to use them without mobile reception.
Emergency communication: Check mobile coverage and consider carrying a satellite communicator to contact emergency services if needed.
None of this should put you off. With the right preparation, Iceland's remote trails are an incredible place to explore. And if you'd rather leave the logistics to someone else, a guided running trip can make the whole experience much simpler, leaving you free to focus on the trails and scenery.
Experience Both Trails with Run Weekends
The good news? You don't have to plan the trip yourself, or choose between the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails.
Run Weekends brings both together in a fully supported six day, five night Iceland running trip. You'll explore spectacular landscapes of the Icelandic Highlands, spend two nights in remote mountain huts and finish your trail running adventure at the incredible Skógafoss waterfall.
But for us, a trip to Iceland should be about more than just running. That's why we've included whale watching and a visit to Sky Lagoon, giving you the chance to experience more of what makes this country so special!
Our trips are social, inclusive and noncompetitive, bringing together like-minded runners who want to explore somewhere extraordinary, get to know people, and have fun along the way.
If exploring Iceland’s remote volcanic trails with a group of like-minded runners at an inclusive pace sounds like your kind of adventure, join us in 2027!
Explore Run Weekends Iceland and start planning your next running adventure.
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