What should you pack for the Laugavegur Trail?

On the Laugavegur you’ll get sun, rain, wind, fog and possibly snow, sometimes in a single day. And there are no shops between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk. Pack for winter, hope for summer.

The essentials at a glance

Item	Why you need it
Waterproof jacket and trousers	Rain and wind on every stage, especially near Hrafntinnusker
Warm mid layer + insulated jacket	Nights and high ground can drop below freezing
Sturdy, worn-in hiking boots	Snowfields, loose rock and black sand
River shoes or sandals (+ neoprene socks)	At least three glacial river fords
Sleeping bag	Compulsory in the huts; no bedding is provided
Food for all days + 1 spare	No shops between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk
Offline map/GPS + power bank	Fog hides the markers; no electricity in the huts
Cash and card	Card terminals sometimes have no connection

Clothing: the layer system

• Base layer: merino or synthetic top and leggings. No cotton: it stays wet and cold.
• Mid layer: fleece or light wool sweater.
• Insulation: light down or synthetic jacket for breaks and evenings.
• Shell: a really waterproof jacket with a hood, and waterproof trousers. Both are essential. Wind at Hrafntinnusker can be brutal.
• Hiking trousers (quick-drying) and possibly shorts for warm days in Þórsmörk.
• Hat, buff and gloves. Bring spare gloves; wet gloves are miserable.
• Socks: three to four pairs of hiking socks.
• Dry set for the evening: a set of clothes that never leaves your pack, so you always have something dry to sleep in.

Footwear

• Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with ankle support and a good grip on snow and loose rock. Make sure they’re worn in.
• River shoes: sandals with a heel strap or light trail shoes, plus neoprene socks if you get cold easily. See river crossings.
• Hut shoes or flip-flops. Boots stay in the entrance of every hut.
• Optional: gaiters, against snow and the black sand of Mælifellssandur.

Sleeping

• Sleeping bag (compulsory in the huts, which provide no bedding). A comfort rating around 0 °C is fine for huts; campers need more warmth.
• Earplugs and an eye mask. Shared sleeping platforms, and it barely gets dark in early summer.
• Campers: a storm-proof tent, a sleeping mat with a good R-value, and a stove with fuel. Campers can’t use the hut kitchens. Read camping on the Laugavegur.

Navigation and safety

• Offline map or GPS track on your phone, plus a power bank. There is no power in the huts, and fog can hide the trail markers.
• Headlamp for August and September.
• First-aid kit with blister plasters.
• Trekking poles: very handy on the steep descent to Álftavatn and in the rivers.
• Emergency blanket and whistle.
• Save 112 and download the Safetravel app.

Food and water

• Food for every day of your trek, plus a spare day. Freeze-dried meals are light; the huts have stoves and pots.
• Snacks that don’t freeze or melt: nuts, chocolate, dried fruit.
• Water: you can usually refill at the huts and from clear streams. Avoid glacial (cloudy) water.
• A thermos for hot drinks during the day.

Small things people forget

• Cash and a card: card terminals in the highlands sometimes have no connection.
• Swimsuit for the hot spring in Landmannalaugar.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen: snowfields and long days.
• Rubbish bags. You must pack out your rubbish from Hrafntinnusker and Emstrur.
• Coins or a card for the (paid) showers.

Want to carry less?

On a self-supported trek your pack easily weighs 12–16 kg, and buying a proper tent, sleeping bag and waterproofs for one trip adds up quickly. Two easy fixes: book luggage transport between the stops, and rent the bulky gear instead of buying it. The Iceland Trail offers both, on guided and self-guided trips, so you can walk the Laugavegur with just a day pack.