Hiking across the Mælifellssandur desert - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands

Trekking Iceland – Laugavegur Trail – Álftavatn to Emstrur

Although the wind was still blowing as we set out to hike from Álftavatn to Emstrur, it was much less fierce than yesterday and continued to abate throughout the day.

Leaving Álftavatn Hut - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands

[move mouse over image to see full panorama]

We had 3 river crossings today, the first of which everyone (including Sigþór) was relieved to discover had a makeshift bridge across it.  The second was not too deep and therefore easy to cross, but the third was a little more of a challenge and a good excuse to whip off the long hiking pants again and cross in my underwear.  As I said to my hiking companions – “you haven’t really hiked in Iceland unless you’ve forded a river in your undies“.

River crossings on Day 3 - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands
More river crossings – one with a bridge (top) and one in my undies (bottom-right)!

The scenery we were hiking through changed completely today – from green grass

Hiking through green vegetation on Day 3 - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands

to the black volcanic desert of Mælifellssandur, which seemed to never end.

Hiking across the Mælifellssandur desert - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands

We stopped for lunch beside an impressive waterfall about half-way across the plain

Lunch beside an impressive waterfall on Day 3 - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands
Yet another impressive lunch spot

and enjoyed another of Sigþór’s stories from Icelandic Folklore

Sigthor telling another folk story on Day 3 - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands

as we slowly made our way across this barren landscape.

Hiking across the black volcanic Mælifellssandur desert - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands

I actually thought this was one of the most beautiful views on the trek, but then again, I do have a love for deserts and wide, open spaces.

Mælifellssandur desert - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands

[move mouse over image to see full panorama]

Just before we reached Emstrur, we took a detour to see the amazing, 200m-deep Markarfljót canyon, located just off the Laugavegur Trail itself.

The Markarfljót canyon - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands
One view of the Markarfljót canyon

Unfortunately, the light was not great for photos, but it was an awesome place to sit and contemplate the view for a while

Contemplating the Markarfljót canyon - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands

before making our way to our accommodation for the night at Botnar hut.

Approaching Botnar Hut in Emstrur - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands
Approaching Botnar Hut in Emstrur

As you can probably guess if you’ve read my other blog posts about this trek (see links below), we all sat around enjoying tea, coffee, biscuits, cake and great conversation outside in the last of the Sun, while Sigþór set about BBQing salmon for our dinner.  I love guided treks 🙂

Relaxing and cooking dinner at Botnar Hut in Emstrur - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands
We relaxed (top) while Sigþór cooked us a delicious dinner (bottom) at Botnar hut

Then finished off the day watching the golden sunset illuminate the hills in front of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which we could just see from our front verandah.

Sunset from Botnar Hut in Emstrur - Laugavegur Trail - Icelandic Highlands
Sunset over the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier from Botnar Hut

Trekking Information

Distance = 17.56km

Time taken = 6hr 48 mins

Strava Linkhttps://www.strava.com/activities/1768355448

Map

Altitude Profile

Altitude profile of hike from Álftavatn to Emstrur - Laugavegur Fimmvörðuháls Combo Trek - from Strava

Read more about hiking the Laugavegur Trail

If this post has piqued your curiosity, read about the rest of the 7-day Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls Combo Tour with Icelandic Mountain Guides

Alternatively, check out my other posts about hiking and trekking in Iceland and around the world.

error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)