Landmannalaugar - Hrafntinnusker (12 km, 4 - 5 hours)

The first part of the route is the shortest, but as the accumulated elevation is close to 500m and this is the first day of the hike, many people find it strenuous. The weather is unstable in this area and there is often some snow on the trail, increasing the difficulty.

The trail starts by the hut in Landmannalaugar, it passes through Laugahraun lava field and then up alongside Brennisteinsalda mountain. This is a good stop for views of the colorful Landmannalaugar area.

The trail continues up onto a plateau, where small ravines cut through the landscape. Many people stop for lunch by the geysers in this area, Stórihver being the most noteable. From there the trail continues towards Hrafntinnusker, through obsidian fields which are often covered with snow in early summer. Fog is common in this area so hikers must follow the trail and waymarkers carefully.

 Hrafntinnusker - Álftavatn (12 km, 4 - 5 hours)

From Hrafntinnusker, the trail follows the slopes of Reykjafjöll. There are many snow filled ravines on this part of the trail. Hikers must cross these carefully, as the snow often melts faster from below, creating thin snow bridges.

The trail continues along Kaldaklofsfjöll, through colorful ravines, to the edge of Jökultungur. If the weather is good you can see three glaciers from this point – Mýrdalsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull and Tindfjallajökull.

The trail heads down from here and is steep and rocky in some parts. At the bottom of the descent you reach Grashagakvísl river. The river can sometimes be crossed on snow bridges in early summer, but is usually crossed by wading on foot. The rest of the way to Álftavatn is mostly flat.

 Álftavatn - Emstrur (16 km, 6 - 7 hours)

Álftavatn - Hvanngil (4 km, 1 hour)

From Álftavatn, the trail crosses Brattháls and takes you down to Bratthálskvísl river. The river is crossed on foot, but is generally the easiest river crossing on the trail.

The trail heads up onto another hill, with great views of the landscapes around. Hvanngil is reached soon after.

Some hikers prefer to stay in Hvanngil instead of Álftavatn.

Hvanngil - Emstrur (12 km, 5- 6 hours)

From Hvanngil, the trail leads to a footbridge on Kaldaklofskvísl river. Shortly after, Bláfjallakvísl river is reached, and needs to be crossed on foot. This crossing is generally not difficult, but can get very challenging as the river often grows when it rains.

After the crossing, the trail follows a road for some time. Innri Emstruá river is crossed on a bridge and a little further, the trail turns off the road. This part of the trail has almost no vegetation so in dry weather and strong winds you can expect sand in the air.

The Botnar huts in Emstrur are not visible until right before you reach them.

 Emstrur - Þórsmörk (15 km, 6 - 7 hours)

From Botnar, usually referred to as Emstrur, the trail soon drops down towards Fremri Emstruá. The river runs through a narrow canyon and is crossed on a footbridge. The trail climbs back up shortly after the crossing.

The trail will start going downhill gradually, passing through two ravines, Slyppugil and Bjórgil. Both are great spots for lunch. You will start to see more and more vegetation the closer to Þórsmörk you get. After crossing another river, Ljósá, on a footbridge, the trail crosses the last big hill on the trail.

On the other side of the hill, Þröngá river awaits. It is the final river hikers need to cross on foot and can be challenging when it has been raining. The river bed is often rocky.

From Þröngá there is a short distance left, through Hamraskógar forest. The trail finally drops down into Langidalur valley in Þórsmörk, where the Laugavegur trail ends.