Laugavegur and Fimmvorduhals Trails • Thru Hike • Iceland

[@matthiasschnapka6498]

Ok Guys, as a Long Time Iceland Hiker I am( since 30years this year ), I have done the same hike several times, even in deep winter solo, with a monster shit load of snow and total Whiteout at the most tricky parts of this trail( the last wooden bridge you have crossed downhill for example, will be buried completely under snow, just the handrails will look out of the snow most often ); so this vid was a huge enjoyment for me, bringing back a lot of beautiful memories and one of the best made Vids I have had the pleasure to watch for many years. CONGRATS ON THAT 👍. BUT TO BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR, TO ALL THE TRAVELERS WHO WOULD LOVE TO DO THE SAME HIKE........IT IS STRICKLY PROHIBITED 🚫 TO DO THE WILD CAMPING ALONGSIDE THE TRAIL so as you have done it ( ITS A BIG NO NO )........ONLY STAY WITH YOUR TENTS NEARBY THE HUTS !!! Most parts of the trail are within the border of a National Park.......where WILDCAMPING IS NOT ALLOWED.........SO STAY BY THE HUTS, when you like to sleep in your tents, or use the huts itself for sleeping. But you have to reserve a sleeping place inside to hut one month or even longer before you start to do the trail, cause in the main season ( June till beginning of September ) the Laugarvegur is heavily frequented by hikers. No reservations needed, when sleeping in your tents by the huts. And after season ends ( late September ) all huts are closed, and havy snowstorms starts. So hiking this trail in winter conditions is highly recommended NOT TO DO, ONLY IF YOUR ARE A HIGHLY SKILLED TRACKER AND MOUNTAINEER. ONLY THE BEST SERIOUS EQUIPMENT WILL DO THE JOB. BE PREPARED FOR TOTAL WHITEOUTS & EXTREME SNOWSTORMS, ETC. It took me nearly 12 Days Snowshoeing , starting from Skogar & ending up to Landmannalaugar !!! LATE JUNE TO LATE AUGUST IS DEFINITELY THE BEST TIME. ENJOY IT.

[@lisaf158]

Another wonderful video! I appreciate how you put the entire trip in one video. It's more enjoyable to watch the entire trip at once versus multiple videos. Thanks for taking us along!

[@RedBeard0924]

+Lisa F really glad you enjoyed the video. It was an epic trip for sure!

[@cosmopolitanwonder9675]

Please obey the Iceland rules, they are for everyone’s benefit, this is not America

[@ohsweetaction]

Solid hike and video mate. Love the way it all ended with the waterfalls. Well done.

[@scotarg1973]

It's middle of the night and I can't sleep. Feel like I hiked through Iceland with you from the comfort of my own home! Really amazing trip. I live in Scotland and some aspects similar to landscape and especially weather. For you guys, must be so refreshing to be in such a contrasted environment compared to Florida!

[@norkisserrano]

Wow such a different world with lots of geo thermals. Definitely one of the best hiking videos I've seen, thanks for sharing.

[@RedBeard0924]

+Norkis Serrano thanks for watching. 👍🏼

[@perrythorvig6446]

Wow, from Patagonia to Iceland in just a couple of months. You're making good time.😀

[@susanmcintyre2129]

I am so glad 91Longfield 9

[@steveh1273]

Nice, you're building a lifetime of experiences. Thanks for taking us along! Been with you since the AT.

[@coloradolions3399]

You're back! Nice to see an upload again. Was starting to get worried.

[@abbysapples1225]

I watched you walk a ton of places, but this is by far the most breath taking hike I have ever seen. I live near the AT in PA, however it would a be a pleasure to live near this trail. Thanks for sharing your hike Will.

[@WyeExplorer]

Fabulous fabulous fabulous. Enjoyed that from start to finish. It was all up weather show or not as you mention. It was a hike that certainly tested the hiker either keeping dry or navigation although it was a trail. You guys looked good together. The whole group appeared to be immersed in that one. Beautiful! All the very best. Mark.

[@IntoTheWildOregon]

Riveting video log of the journey. Thank you SO much for posting. You have a great way of communicating the experience and even though I've made dozens for backpacking videos, I haven't been able to capture it like you have done. Thanks!

[@joethomas1014]

Spectacular. Right up there in storytelling with the likes of National Geo films. Thank you.

[@sharonmarks7192]

Wow, breathtaking scenery! Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@ErlefromVa]

A great trip and most amazing scenery! Thanks Will for letting us share your experience and HH

[@carolynkid216]

Great to see you out on a new trail. Was hoping you were OK. What an amazing place. Thanks so much. Looking forward to seeing your gear list too.

[@michael-lynn]

The waterfalls are quite amazing. So very beautiful.

[@kellirustin7944]

Yep, I'd love to see a gear list and maybe a bit of a review on the hut situation? And those purple flowers are Lupine. Lavender grows in Mediterranean climes. Can't wait for the next adventure!

[@RedBeard0924]

Kelli Rustin gear list to come. Huts are normally sold out way in advance. You typically must reserve about 6 months to a year in advance. However they were not super crowed when we were there due to the snow.

[@Bemmski3]

What da hell seriously? Guess little island little space :P enjoy red beard and crew!

[@kellys2032]

It's so great to see you back on the trails. I absolutely love your video's.

[@Niklawog]

Loved your video. Brought back great memories of doing it in 2016. Stopped at Thorsmork but it was the most surreal backpacking trip I've ever been on. We stayed in the huts along the way. Loved the whole thing.

[@1phnompenh]

Can you include some technical info about the city, the mountains, altitude, the sulfuric effect, the huts, etc. when does the snow finally melt if at all, best months to go... Thanks for sharing, great views.

[@joesugarman1355]

Great stuff! Looked even more impressive than Patagonia. Thanks for taking us along.

[@pheotiman]

Love your videos. Definitely funny guys along the hike. Thanks for sharing, hope next I can make a hike to Iceland.

[@TheGrumpyExplorer]

I did the hike the opposite way around starting at the waterfall. You should try it in August when the snow has gone. The colours are amazing especially in Landmannalaugar

[@joelhenton2966]

I through-hiked across Iceland from Hraunhafnartangi to Vik (North to South) in 12 days, it was awesome! The Laugavegur Trail was especially nice.

[@expeditionscretons]

you guys were so courageous to cross those rivers with your pants and shoes on. must be so cold afterwards. i'm impressed!

[@jasonfeng3667]

Awesome video, I just came back from my iceland trip a week ago. We did the same trails around mid june and then spent a week driving around the country. Amazing place!! People were definitely jealous of my duplex :)

[@cebninja]

I would love to see a full gear list of everything you brought on this adventure. I'm curious about how you kept your feet dry and warm with trail runners on.

[@RedBeard0924]

cebninja I will do a video shortly of my gear setup for the hike. I used dexshell trekking waterproof socks. They are incredible feet stayed dry even in water crossings.

[@olivermoes-okun2468]

When are you thinking the gear list video will be up?

[@Macdivers1]

Will Wood I looked the socks and bought a pair. A list of the top 7 showed them to be #1. They were 38 bucks but many reviews rated them excellent. I have Keen waterproof boots but if they get wet I can wear these till they dry out. I'll get another pair later. These are summer so later I'll get winter ones. Thanks for the heads up.

[@Ken-rw8os]

Some trail runners have Goretex but the majority do not. Your feet just get wet and you deal with it. It's common to keep dry sleep socks in your pack then have a wet pair to hike in.

[@brimstone33]

I would love to see a list of the gear you were asking yourself, over and over again, as you climbed higher and steeper and into thinner air, "Why the $^%& did I bring that???". :-)

[@uptrail7169]

You guys had some good stream crossings and the waterfalls are awesome!

[@xycid]

Hey Will, I just finished this trail last Friday and I already miss it :) Looks like you've got more rain and snow two months ago. I got lucky the last 4 days with the sun and little wind, but the first day was no fun (rain, wind, fog). Thanks for the video, I'll go back to it to bring memories

[@outofbounds218]

Been a while and great to see your newest video.

[@shanedekin3194]

Amazing vid. Really enjoyed the way it ended with the song and pictures

[@RedBeard0924]

+Shane DeKin thanks my friend

[@Turk5700]

Another amazing adventure. Thanks for taking us along Red Beard! Every time you guys get done a hike my bucket list gets longer! Thanks for sharing. Be well.

[@DnSAdventures]

Just came across your videos on KZbin, awesome stuff! Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[@re-thinkthis4880]

Amazing video, seems like this place would be drone footage gold =) thanks for sharing. Keep em coming. Like em long, so much to see.

[@johnmca5643]

That was fantastic. Nice commercial for Zpacks Gear..😀 I had no idea you could catch a bus from the airport directly to the trailhead. I'm planning to go August this summer...2020.

[@emansson3876]

You can't take a bus from the airport to the trailhead, and they didn't. First you take the bus to Reykjavik (BSI, the bus station) same as every one else. Then from there you take the bus to Lanmannalaugar.

[@JonBaatz]

Great video, simple breathtaking. Thanks for sharing. I would love to see a gear break down. We are so impressed with Zpacks gear. About to buy our second pack. Maybe Hammock trap (haven't decided yet). Thanks again for sharing.

[@RedBeard0924]

Jon Baatz awesome!

[@royknopp5651]

I thoroughly enjoyed your video of they-hiking in Iceland. Just started following you. I am trying to plan a similar hike for this summer, if CIVID lockdown doesn’t stop me.

[@darajasumani2478]

Thank you - it looks amazing…

[@henrys3629]

So that's were you been. Long time no vid. Thanks for the tour.

[@RedBeard0924]

Henry S videos yeah I'm gonna try and get videos up more frequently but working at Zpacks and farming on the weekend keeps me slammed.

[@cdbickford6202]

Hope you or someone in the group grabbed a bottle of the mountain vodka in the duty free store on your way out. It's the absolute best vodka I've ever had. Great video. I was in Iceland last year (to the day to be exact). It's such an amazing country. You guys should check out Norway next

[@PumpkinVillage]

Outstanding video. Brought back a lot of memories. US Navy stationed me in Keflavik for almost seven years. Beautiful country. My oldest son was born on base there.So for his 21st birthday next summer I'm taking him back for a week to see the country. No hammock camping there thou. Didn't you guys spot any trolls? Take care, Al

[@RedBeard0924]

Pumpkin Village Maple First off thanks for your service. Iceland was amazing. I could spend an entire year there exploring. Can't wait to go back. Should be a great trip for you and your son!

[@matthiasschnapka6498]

Hi Guys, a very nice vid, BUT A VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOU AND ALL THE OTHERS, WHO LIKE TO DO THE SAME TRIP.........you are hiking through a National Park, and camping IS ONLY ALLOWED TO TAKE PLACE DIRECTLY NEARBY THE HUTS, and not where you like to do, wild camping as you have done is STRICKTLY FORBIDDEN !!!

[@BuddyOndra]

I had the same thing in my mind.

[@cosmopolitanwonder9675]

Sound like typical yanks looking for trouble.

[@sophanetcaeg3770]

ាំ

[@lighterpacks]

Really nice trail - I did it too in 2015 and going 8 days solo now in two weeks up north west in Hornstrandir.

[@november151956]

The finish reminded me of the stairs and waterfall at Amicalola Falls State Park on the AT Approach Trail.

[@frolswe]

Really nice video, but you completely ignored the local regulations forbidding wild camping along the trail. Is this the way zpacks recommends hiking? This area is visited by very many hikers, and would quickly be worn down if all of them camped this way. Please add information about this to the video as to not encourage more people doing this.

[@TheHavnmonkey]

So no need for me to bring my hammock? Nice vid, can't wait to make it to Iceland. I'm thinking about Kuku campers sometime next year, driving around the whole island in 10 days.

[@aaron.silveira]

Looks beautiful. Do you know how strict they are about adventuring off trail? I’ve always wanted to explore the Icelandic wilderness.

[@RedBeard0924]

Didn’t seem that strict at all. We were there at the beginning of the season though. I did some off route exploring. We were the only people in sight most of the time. Just be careful for false surfaces etc. ✌️

[@aaron.silveira]

Following Redbeard great! I’m most definitely going to Iceland soon. Thanks for the info

[@neist]

Joe rocking an echo zip? Love those. At least that's what it looks like.

[@LossztYT]

Wow, went on this exact route for a school trip over the summer. Best. Trip. Ever. So fun, great people, saw so many different tourists there, visited the capital for a bit, 10/10 would recommend, the markers tho towards the beginning were kinda difficult to see as it was foggy, great overall experience.

[@Mrdresden]

A fun fact: Hrafntinnusker (e. Obsidian Reef). Under all that snow there is a vast amount of obsidian lying around (and can be found all the way down to Landmannalaugar)

[@theg-man7868]

Lupine Will. Great footage. Thanks.

[@2FeetForward]

Dam beat us to it lol

[@theg-man7868]

2 Feet Forward . Cheers Austin, that walk was spectacular. I've got a lot of time on my hands due to a recent op, so have been following people hiking on trails all over the world. The power of KZbin, gives you access to so much. Can't wait to get out walking again, though it will be a few months. Plenty of time to plan some trips though. Best wishes.

[@jenniferfontana8369]

Would love a gear list. Great job guys!

[@mariusborgarbui3211]

Well done! Did this trail in 2 1/2 days last summer. Hope I find some time to do it for a second time this summer :)

[@ewbeyer1104]

Amazing! Beautiful trip!

[@neist]

I was just thinking that I hadn't seen a video from Zpacks in quite a while.

[@ddorby6498]

Hiked this route solo in July 2019. Well worth it

[@mickkae3704]

WOW great waterfalls .. and hike .. thanks Team Z :)

[@life2livealways]

Would Ellie do a gear list as well? I'm interested to see what she wore to stay warm, and what type of sleep system she used on the trip.

[@sutash9043]

life2livealways yay! Definitely interested! I'm going to do this trail in a couple of years and I want to see what it was like for her. And also, for other girl hikers out there, how do you cope with... uhmm... our monthly friend hehehe ?

[@myapinion7532]

Yea, l was wondering how she managed to use the bathroom over the six days, there are no shrubs and bushes anywhere! 😃

[@Ranger24]

3:20 Those Blue Bird buses are made in the little city of Fort Valley, GA, USA. How did they get over there?

[@brimstone33]

Probably left there by the Navy and Air Force when they suddenly closed Keflavik Naval Air Station ear Reykjavik in '06. Heard they might reopen it. Been through there a few times on the way to Europe. I think the Icees really miss the Americans. Those Icee gals are gorgeous and tend to have that weird blue eye color like Huskies. Everything is super expensive there because it has to be imported, and imports are heavily taxed. Especially booze. But on the American base there were no taxes and as in all those cold, cold Nordic countries booze is social antifreeze in the dead of winter...I think the gals saw Americans as a good, cheap party. Ahhhh sometimes I miss the Cold War.

[@thordurhognason7961]

brimstone33 no we don't miss the north American ,nobody does.

[@brimstone33]

Nah that's a myth. Most people love Americans. And some love to put us down. That's just jealousy. It's OK, we understand. Comes with being #1. But you have to admit you Icee's seemed to like us -and our money- just fine for decades. People were shocked and saddened when the base closed. Anyway I hear Americans are still pretty popular in Laugarvegur ;-)

[@thordurhognason7961]

brimstone33 intelligent europeans feel sorry for white north americans,but still there are many likable americans .

[@Macdivers1]

I am a noob at hiking, just started putting gear together in December and recently got the Arc Haul Zip with nearly all the bells and whistles including two of the 4in one, one for the front of the pack and the other for a chest pouch that I learned from Bigfoot. I am coupling it with the LP Series Packnet for extra storage and to dry things. I've watched enough vids to know how to use trekking poles and only one person I saw in this vid that even had them were using them correctly, as in using the straps and it may have been the guide and that is an assumption. I didn't catch everyones names at the start of the vid. The young lady didn't even have any and I'm surprised she didn't take a few tumbles. You could tell she was straining going up inclines where the poles would have helped a lot and steady her on the down slopes. She has the balance of a cat not to have fallen. I understand that using the straps properly puts about 20 percent of the pack weight on your arms and shoulders and pecks and you use that force to help propell you forward. I've done it and once you get into a rhythm you can really make some huge time. I think a lady rep for Leki poles explains this on KZbin and Bigfoot has a vid on it too. I've followed AT thru hikers on KZbin and several have said that their poles have saved them from numerous falls. Check it out. Thanks for the great video and you guyz saw some unbelievable sights. Wish I could be in the position for such awesome adventures, wow! I would have liked seeing what food you were using at lunch and other times and as others have mentioned, your gear. It seemed that the Zpacks team was carrying lite as if they had an advance team to set up the tents and pretty much make camp for them. Of course I could be way off base on that. Conversly, it could be that you guys are so experienced at trekking that you have your gear down pat and knew the conditions and what to pack.

[@RedBeard0924]

Macdivers1 we definitely didn't have people carrying our gear. Ha. Everything we needed on this hike was in our packs. Our friend ellie who thru hiked the AT and the Te Aruro in New Zealand and her poles were broken and she wasn't able to pick some up before. My self and Joe have about 15,000 miles of combined thru hiking experience and I personally no longer use the straps on my poles espically when I'm constantly going up and down. This allows you to easily change hand positions on the poles. More experienced hikers typically forgo he straps. Happy Hiking!

[@magicway3092]

Very interesting video💖💚💚

[@Bemmski3]

Haven't laughed that much in other videos of yours XD joe and Steve go comedy :)

Many thanks! This was a great video which did this trail justice.

[@doctorbacon99]

doing this walk in july what kind foot wear did you wear for the river crossing

[@sweetpickles695]

This was such a beautiful trip! Thanks for sharing. How are those Patagonia meals?

[@shelleybill7117]

where did you get that cool green umbrella hat

[@Elmithian]

You should have gone in mid august. The weather is a lot more stable there at that time. The only negative is that the rivers are quite a bit tougher to cross due to increased water level due to the melting glaciers.

[@Hindukushsailing]

Hey Will an awesome hike is in Guadeloupe on the west side of the island. Peace dude !!

[@1phnompenh]

alarming snow melt vs. awesome waterfalls? Do you know if the flow has always been this strong?

[@Alpintiger]

Wow, I can tell there was a lot less snow when I hiked this trail in June/Juli 2017. You'll clearly see it in my video. I'd reckon there were 3 kilometers before the Hrafntinnusker hut and the first 3 km after that hut. When did you hike this trail?

[@RedBeard0924]

June

[@djunglew]

awesome hike! did your shoes every dry out?

[@RedBeard0924]

djunglew yeah the Brooks Cascadias dry super fast if you have the non waterproof versions. Wasn't bad at all. But I was also wearing dexshell waterproof trekking socks.

[@TonySaunders]

Great video! I now live in Iceland and I'm planning to do the same hike but travelling with only a bivvy bag and a tarp so wish me luck. By the way the summer here this year has been so dry and warm I almost feel like I was back in the UK. I guess climate change is something we are living through and in some ways I'm glad Iceland is far warmer than I expected

[@emansson3876]

So did you do this bivy+tarp trip?

[@miroku37]

Hey! Great video! I am actually going to be there this weekend. How much were the bus tickets?

[@piscator57]

You guys should check out Vancouver Island's West Coast Trail.....

[@taurianmatador]

When you got off the plane did you go straight to the bus? Or did you take time before departing? Also how did you get stove fuel? Did you get it in Reykjavik?

[@samwatson3588]

Incredible hike, what time of year was it?

[@myapinion7532]

It said June 2017 at beginning of vid.

[@wuffgluck452]

beautiful adventure, very interesting! but the purple flower you saw first, is definitely not lavender, which comes from the mediterrainean countries. the beautiful purple flower, which likes to bloom on many places in iceland is called "lupins". i love them very much, so i had to mention it.

[@camodudemtbh7594]

hey Red Beard, with all the rainy hikes you've done, and packing a wet tent, has any mold set in?? also on the A T hike as well? tally-ho.

[@RedBeard0924]

Joseph Ortiz no I haven't had any issues with mold. Since water can't really penetrate DCF material it doesn't really seem to have much mold issues. I do though always let it air dry if it gets wet. Takes about 5 minutes to completely dry maybe even less.

[@whoodiestyle]

I've put my tent away wet and then let it dry in a open trash bag in my trunk and the worst that happend was a musky smell and when you open up the tent to air out it's fine.

[@annalowe8910]

Can I use your glacier shots as reference material for a painting?

[@ijasonxi1]

What time of year did you do this trip? Love your vids!

[@geodescent]

I always have trouble acclimating to a huge temperature change, went from the southeast us to Alaska and was probably the only one wearing a base layer going up Flattop Mountain, while locals are jogging it in shorts

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

in Alaska we wear shorts when it hits 55

[@Tempsnomades]

Hi ! Thanks for this video. Would you say that the hike was pretty well indicated ? Thanks !

[@RedBeard0924]

A.L. Host yes very easy to navigate.

[@mhtinla]

Did you use crampons or spikes in climbing these icy slopes?

[@nojaysimpson]

Did you try using a compass while in Iceland? Notice any magnetic deviation?

[@oldunion]

good place for a Loden coat or poncho

[@EngagedSEN10R]

Looks like Red Beard is testing out a Zpacks down jacket?

[@RedBeard0924]

Daniel Walbridge very close. The down jacket will be available soon but this jacket that I tested in Patagonia and Iceland is our 8 oz synthetic jacket and it rocks! No release date yet but hopefully sometime this fall. Down jacket should be available within a month or two.

[@herbertcornell9756]

Great video! I am actually going to complete the same trek next week. I heard that you can take hot showers at the huts, is this true? Also, at which huts did they have food available?

[@RedBeard0924]

Herbert Cornell we took no showers and some had candy bars for sell that's about it.

[@caelgrell7428]

Hey will! I was wondering if you would be able to tell me what camera you used in this video?

[@RedBeard0924]

Cael Grell Sony HDRCX440, great cheap little camcorder and its light. A few of the shots were captured with my iphone6s as well.

[@caelgrell7428]

Will Wood thanks

[@debbiejoanhill1760]

What sort of weather did you expect Iceland is still in the grips of Winter they don,t get a Spring. Iceland only has 2 seasons Summer and Winter.

[@torpid]

Really good video, but when you mentioned 3 miles in steve's knee was sore even before you started and you stopped for a rest you really should have checked that out. That is how I managed to get a fracture right in the middle of my largest bone in my leg- and I did not even know I climbed a mountain when it was not fully healed yet and even more previous years to that I had to have my patella removed. (Plate in knee)

[@charleshester1983]

Did you have any problems finding water? 😀

[@RedBeard0924]

+Charles Hester not at all really.

[@lukaszmrzlik979]

Hej, you are crazy :D but it must be wonderfull trip. I am looking forwarde to seeing video about equipment and clothes.

[@wendiazzarah3893]

good video bro

[@gregwicks51]

Wow!

[@ronwarren5085]

Bill which zpack is Joe using on this trip?

[@RedBeard0924]

Ron Warren Joe uses the Arc Blast.

[@ronwarren5085]

Ok thanks Will

[@FrightfulMess]

Could you tell us who carried what model of backpack?

[@RedBeard0924]

+Alex Pendragon Red Beard - Arc Zip Steve - Arc Haul Joe - Arc Blast Buzz - Arc Blast Ellie - some other weird brand of backpack that I've never heard of 😉

[@AndyOutdoors]

There are other brands?

[@ihateschool367]

i found ellie's pack, it's an older version of Gossamer Gear Mariposa

[@jonaweber8736]

like that steve ;)!

[@RedBeard0924]

He is a blast! A great friend no doubt.

[@wjennin1]

Sometimes when Steve talks I think it is John Malkovich lol

[@teresamicheletti977]

Grateful🙆‍♀️🙆‍♂️Awesome Everyone🤗Memorable Spectacular🤙Iceland👏 Award🥇Winners❤🙌

[@DeltadronesBr]

💯💯💯