Laugavegur Trail Huts vs Camping: Which Should You Choose?

How Laugavegur accommodation works

The Laugavegur runs 55 km from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, usually in 3–4 days. Along the way are mountain huts, most of them operated by Ferðafélag Íslands (FÍ), with additional huts and campsites in Þórsmörk run by other organisations. Each hut area has a campsite, toilets and in summer a warden. Huts offer bunk spaces with mattresses, a shared kitchen and drinking water. Campers pitch nearby and pay a fee for the campsite and facilities. Either way, you carry your own food and sleeping bag.

The case for huts

Huts are the comfortable choice. You get shelter from wind and rain, a dry place to cook and eat, and a lighter pack because you skip the tent, mat and possibly the stove. After a wet day, being able to dry clothes indoors makes a huge difference to morale. Wardens are on hand in summer to advise on weather and river levels, too.

• Lighter pack without tent and sleeping mat
• Warm, dry space to cook, eat and recover
• Protection from storms that can flatten tents
• Social atmosphere with other trekkers

Downsides of huts

Huts are limited and in high demand. FÍ hut bookings for the coming summer typically open early in the year, and popular July and August dates can fill quickly, so book many months ahead. Once booked, your itinerary is fixed; a weather delay can throw off the following nights. Bunkrooms are shared, so expect snoring, early risers and bright nights. Earplugs and an eye mask are essential. Huts also cost noticeably more per night than camping.

The case for camping

Camping gives flexibility and costs less. You do not need to secure scarce hut beds, so you can decide on dates later and shorten or extend days around the weather. Many campers still use the hut areas' toilets and some facilities, and you get your own private space for sleeping. It also suits hikers who want to vary their stages or wait out a storm.

• Lower nightly cost than huts
• No need to book hut beds months in advance
• Flexible itinerary if weather changes
• Privacy and a quieter night

Downsides of camping: wind, weight and cold

Wind is the defining challenge. The Laugavegur crosses open, treeless terrain, and storms strong enough to break poles and flatten tents do happen, particularly at exposed sites like Hrafntinnusker, which sits at around 1,050–1,100 m and can be cold and snowy even in summer. You need a robust, wind-rated tent with extra guylines and the skills to pitch it in a gale. Your pack will be considerably heavier with a tent, mat and stove. Nights can drop close to freezing, so a warm sleeping bag and insulated mat are essential. If conditions turn severe, wardens may let campers shelter indoors, but do not count on space.

Booking FÍ huts and campsites

Book huts as early as possible, ideally soon after bookings open for the season. Check which huts are included in your plan and confirm whether a sleeping bag is required (it is) and whether showers cost extra. Have a plan for bus transport at both ends before you lock in dates. Campsites next to the huts are paid on site or through the hut operator, with a fee per person. Policies can change, so check the current rules on the operator's website before you go.

Which should you choose?

Choose huts if this is your first trek in Iceland, you value comfort, or you are hiking early or late in the season when conditions are harsher. Choose camping if you are experienced with wild weather, own a strong tent and want flexibility or a lower budget. A hybrid also works: book a hut at Hrafntinnusker, the coldest and most exposed stop, and camp at the lower, more sheltered sites like Álftavatn, Emstrur and Þórsmörk.