Travel: Laugavegur Trail Day Two

Laugavegur trail day two! We woke up to dry boots and dry gear, had a hearty breakfast and hit the trail around 8am. Let’s check out some of our photos (so many photos!) on day two.

Laugavegur Trail Day Two

First up, some protein pancakes. Who doesn’t love a pancake with peanut butter and fruit jam!

After breakfast we tidied up, washed up, and dressed up in the warmest, dries clothes we had. Fully covered in our rain gear, we hit the trail shortly after 8am.

We were happy we stayed in the huts, since the warden told us that the night before 5 tents were damaged in the wind. Staying at Hrafntinnusker isn’t a good idea if you’re a tenter, it’s very exposed. Oh, the warden also told us to keep track of the blue pegs. Reason being that the week before someone had wandered off in the fog, losing sight of the blue poles, and fallen in a panic and was airlifted out. Scary!

Hrafntinnusker to Alftavatn

With our water filled and gear as dry as can be, we’re off.

The terrain down the mountain is wild – full of volcanic rock and lava fields.

On our way to Alftavatn, about 12km from our first hut, we had a water crossing!

The more gear you have on, the more you have to take off!

For us, it’s down to shorts. Socks off, boots off, and pants off. Water shoes on, boots latched in, and slow and steady across the freezing glacier water. One step at a time. I can’t explain how much focus this takes! I’ve got a video to share from the afternoon that Bryce took – stay tuned! Back to lava fields for now.

Here we are a little over half way to Alftavatn – snack time!

With about 4 km to go to Alftavatn the valley opens up – you can see the green lichen that covers the land. It’s wild.

I’m not sure if you can see the hut in the photo, but we could see it in real life – it’s at the base of the lake, to the left. Oh, and one river crossing ahead!

Me, realizing we have to cross another river. Ha-ha.

This water was fast moving, that’s for sure. The rope? A guide, not a support.

What!? We didn’t hike very far at all. This is one of those times where I looked at the sign and was like, are you kidding me?! The walk to Alftavatn wasn’t that far at all, though.

There’s the hut!

Lunch at Alftavatn

We had originally planned to stay at Alftavatn, however, when we got there around 11:15am or so the huts were still closed (usually they close between 10am – 1pm for cleaning, and change-over). So, we had lunch at the restaurant (I know!) and the warden let us know we could hike onward to Hvanngil as they had room. So, that’s what we did.

The best part about this lunch?! Well, other than the fact that it was warm (thank you to the soup and coffee!), the best part is that it was our 14th wedding anniversary. So awesome.

The valley is so beautiful – the water is quite low, though. Okay, time to hike onward.

Alftavatn to Havnngil

After lunch we packed back up and hit the trail. Only about 4 km to go – so 16 km total for the day at the end. With a hearty lunch, that’s easy.

Our first river crossing of the afternoon – an easy one.

The sun came out in the afternoon and make this green lichen shine.

Okay, now for the coldest river crossing yet – like so very cold.

Looks like fun, eh?! I kid you not, it takes so much concentration to get across, at least for me. The pain from the cold water is wild. I will say, though, that warm wool socks make all the difference after a towel dry.

Up next, the hut!

Alftavatn Hut

Here we are at the top of the hill as the hut comes into view.

We arrived shortly before 3pm and got one of the side rooms on the second floor (shared, of course!).

Oh, and we showered here! Yes, they have 5 minute hot showers for $10 Canadian. So worth it. Buy a ticket from the warden and then enjoy the warmth. 5 minutes seems fast, but it’s oh, so awesome.

After dinner (we had quesadillas again – hard cheese for the win!) we took a walk outside and saw some horses! There was a group that arrived around 7pm all on horse back (3-4 horses per person, since they’re smaller in Iceland).