Laugavegur Trail Packing List. What to Pack for Scandinavian Multi-Day Hikes

The Laugavegur Trail is one of Iceland’s most iconic multi-day hikes, with nearly 100,000 people hiking all or part of the trail in a very short season. This Laugavegur Trail packing list was created to help hikers prepare for the variable weather and rugged conditions you’ll encounter here, and it’s written to apply equally well to other Scandinavian routes, from the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland to Sweden’s Kungsleden.

Whether you’re hiking in Iceland, Greenland, Norway, or Sweden, you’ll face similar challenges: cold, wet, and fast-changing conditions, even in summer. Most hikers come well prepared, but a few underestimate what they’re walking into. That can quickly turn a good trip into a tough one, or worse, bring it to an early end.

With the exception of Greenland, if you’re staying in huts, you’ll have less to carry. And if you're joining a guided group, or using luggage transfers on the Laugavegur Trail, you’ll have even more flexibility.

The reason Greenland is singled out is because it’s still pretty important to carry a tent, regardless of whether you plan to stay in huts or not, due to the remoteness. The huts are also extremely basic, so hikers still need to carry a camp kitchen of sorts. Plus, there’s no possibility of luggage transfer.

This comprehensive gear guide accompanies our free Interactive Packing List, which helps you pack methodically and remember everything. This great little app works on any device and you can add notes, change quantities, and then save or print. You can even share it with hiking partners so everyone knows what's covered if your'e hiking in a group.

So, let's check out what you need to pack for hiking in Iceland and across Scandinavia.

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Each section in this Laugavegur Trail packing list includes everything a hiker might need, whether you’re camping, hiking hut-to-hut, or joining a guided group that uses luggage transfers. The coloured tags above each heading show which group the item applies to.

Backpack

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Let's start with the backpack. Regardless of how you are hiking, each hiker needs to carry at least the following essentials: warm layers, rainwear, sun protection, food for the day, first aid kit, toilet kit, navigation, headlamp, power bank, and water, plus a filter.

The above items are taken from the list known as the “10 Essentials,” a list initially devised by The Mountaineers, a Seattle-based organisation for climbers and outdoor adventurers. I'll go into these in detail further down. For now, let's concentrate on pack size.

Hikers on tours or those using luggage transfer services, will only need carry the essentials listed above. For those hikers a 35L pack will be sufficient.

Hikers using the huts and not using a luggage transfer service will need to carry their sleeping bag (or quilt), hut clothes, and food, in addition to the above essentials. I would recommend a 48L pack for these folk.

And if you are camping, then you would also add in your tent, sleeping pad, and maybe some extra warmth in addition to what hikers that are using huts would carry. For those hikers I would recommend a 55-58L. I used a Durston Kakwa 55L, and the size was just perfect.

Don't stress too much about what goes into the pack at this stage as we are only looking at pack size. Our free interactive packing list, designed especially for the Laugavegur Trail and other Nordic hikes, will prompt you for all items as well – it's worth getting!

Backpack Recommendations

Gear Protection

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Protecting your gear against getting wet is important. Otherwise that nice warm puffer or sleeping bag is going to get wet and become useless. Especially in Iceland and Scandinavia where wet can mean getting absolutely drenched.

I use a Nylofume liner bag inside my pack. Nylofume is ultralight, super strong, and totally waterproof. I double-bag anything critical (like my sleeping bag and clothes, electronics, and food) in dry bags just in case.

Many people use pack covers to keep their gear dry instead of bagging everything from the inside. It's a matter of personal preference. I prefer the pack liner myself, but I see plenty of pack covers on the track. Many packs come with a pack cover, but if yours doesn't, they are easy to come by.

Footwear

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I have both trail runners and boots. For this hike I wore my trail runners, as we were heading to the Kungsleden afterwards where they were more appropriate. If I had only been hiking in Iceland that season, I may have taken boots. I think in this instance, if you are considering swapping to, or trying out trail runners, stick with boots for this hike.

Trail runners have the advantage of being very quick drying, which means that you can wear them as your water crossing shoes. I take my socks off and remove the inners from my trail runners, and replace once I've crossed the river. Trail runner outers basically take 30 mins to dry.

Both Topo and Altra are trail runner brands I recommend. Both have roomy toe boxes, which allow your feet to move naturally while hiking. The “drop” is the difference between the height of the heel and the height of the toe box. Trail runners tend to have a lower heel drop than hiking boots, and this is considered to be a more natural foot position when hiking.

River Crossing and Hut or Camp Shoes

It's never a good idea to try and cross a river barefoot for several reasons. Bare feet offer little traction, and it can be easy to slip on the wet, uneven rocks or river beds. You can also cut or injure your feet on sharp rocks, submerged logs, or hidden debris such as glass or metal. And in the cold glacial water, your feet can quickly become numb, reducing sensitivity and making it harder to judge the stability of the ground beneath you.

I've used various footwear in the past to cross rivers, from hiking sandals to neoprene water shoes or Crocs. It's all a matter of preference, but also a good idea to make sure it’s something you can wear at camp or inside the hut so you aren't doubling up.

Boots are not allowed inside the huts, however, there was no problem inside any communal areas of the campsites. If you are a hut-to-hut hiker, you will need hut shoes as all boots are left at the door. For campers, either sandals or Crocs are fine.

Neoprene water shoes are quite heavy, especially when wet, and don't make great hut or camp shoes. Hiking sandals can be used to hike, whereas Crocs are definitely not suitable. Both of the latter are quite lightweight.

You could also consider some of the après-camp footwear that is now available, such as the Teva ReEmber, Topo Recovery Shoes, or one of the many hut booties available. All are extremely comfortable, but the downside is they can't be used for river crossings.

Microspikes

You won’t need microspikes for most summer hikes in Scandinavia, but you could consider taking them if there’s still snow on the trail, particularly in early season (June or even early July). High passes on the Laugavegur Trail and sections of Norway’s higher routes can hold compacted snow well into summer.

Microspikes give you grip on icy patches or hard-packed snow, where normal boots or trail runners would slip. They’re lightweight, easy to put on, and far safer than trying to edge your way across with bare soles.

Footwear Recommendations

Wet Weather Gear

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When choosing a waterproof jacket, one of the most important factors is how waterproof it actually is.

Waterproofness is usually measured in millimetres (mm) using what’s called a hydrostatic head test. A column of water is pressed against the fabric until it leaks. The higher the number, the more pressure the fabric can handle.

• 5,000 mm – Basic water resistance. Fine for light rain or drizzle but won’t hold up for long in heavy Scottish downpours.
• 10,000 mm – Mid-range waterproof. Good for steady rain and a few hours outside, but under prolonged wet weather, you’ll start to feel damp.
• 15,000–20,000 mm – High waterproof protection. Handles full-day rain, strong wind, and the kind of sideways showers Scotland is famous for.
• 20,000 mm+ – Professional-grade storm gear. Overkill for most hikers, unless you’re in expedition conditions.

The higher the waterproof rating, the less breathable the jacket tends to be. That’s why membranes like Gore-Tex, eVent, or Pertex Shield are popular as they offer a good balance between keeping rain out and allowing sweat vapour to escape.

Why Not an Insulated Waterproof Jacket?

It’s easy to think a heavier waterproof with built-in insulation will keep you warm and dry in one go. The problem is, once you’re on the move, you’ll sweat. That moisture gets trapped, and before long you’re wet from the inside out and cold the moment you stop.

Layering is the better option. A lightweight, breathable shell keeps out the rain, while separate insulating layers like a fleece or puffer can be added or removed depending on the conditions. You stay dry while walking, then pull on extra warmth when you stop. It’s a system that helps manage sweat, keeps you comfortable, and works far better in the cold, changeable weather found in Iceland and across Scandinavia.

It’s Not Just About the Jacket

Once you’re wet in Scandinavia, you can start to lose body heat fast. In cold or windy conditions, that puts you at real risk of hypothermia. Some hikers carry rain pants, while others go for waterproof 3L hiking pants, that act as both rain protection and an outer layer in one.

A pair of waterproof gloves keeps your hands warm and functional in heavy rain, and waterproof socks are excellent with both boots and trail runners if you’re hiking through prolonged wet conditions, especially in boggy areas.

Another item you may consider is a hiking rain poncho, which has a bubble in the back to allow the poncho to also drape over your pack. Not my thing, but I have seen them on the trail.

Wet Weather Gear Recommendations

Warm Layers

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You’ll also need to carry some extra warm clothing. A puffer jacket packs down small and weighs very little. A fleece doesn’t weigh much either, but it takes up more space in your pack.

Just be aware that hiking in your warm layers works against you. You’ll quickly build up sweat, and once you stop, that moisture will cool you down fast. It’s better to keep warm clothes in your pack and put them on during breaks or once you’ve finished hiking for the day.

And this includes a beanie. Your body generates enough heat while walking, and in most conditions you don’t need anything extra on your head. Your head loses heat quickly, and it can’t shiver to stay warm like the rest of the body. As soon as you stop, you’ll cool down fast, so this is when you put a beanie on straight away to hold in warmth. In Iceland, though, it’s can get cold enough that you may to wear it while hiking too, especially in exposed or windy sections.

You may also find yourself reaching for your warm hiking gloves and warm neck buff, which can also protect you against windburn.

Warm Layer Recommendations

Hiking Clothes

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In this section, I'll list what I wear if the weather is hot and sunny, and if it's cold and rainy. As I mentioned earlier, it's not good practice to hike in your warm layers, with the exception of a thermal base layer. But it's not always freezing cold in Scandinavia. In fact, when I was hiking the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland, temperatures went from 30°C (86°F) with hot polar sun to –10°C (14°F) and snow, all within 24 hours. The week before we hiked the Laugavegur Trail, hikers experienced bluebird skies and warm weather.

For hikes across Iceland, Greenland, Sweden, and Norway, I stick to a basic clothing system and add a thermal base layer when needed. So this is what I will list.

The Laugavegur Trail is only 4 days long, so you can take 4 pairs of underwear and socks. For any other longer hike, I would limit it to 3 of each and rotate, washing a pair each night so you have a clean pair for use each day.

Hikers in Scandinavia tend to wear a thicker hiking pant, and sometimes treated with wax. These durable pants are surprisingly lighter than I expected. Not only that, they look really classy on the trail. I'll add these to the list, as I absolutely love mine! If it is raining though you will need a waterproof rain pant which we have discussed previously.

Hiking Clothes Recommendations (Options)

Sun Protection

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Yes! You do need sun protection as the sun can be surprisingly strong in Scandinavia and Iceland. Not because of heat, but because of the low angle of the sun and minimal atmospheric filtering at high latitudes. So you can burn quickly, especially on snow, glaciers, or exposed trails with no shade. Here's a list of basic sun-protection you should carry on the trail.

Sunglasses are important for protecting your eyes against harsh rays, and polarised lenses are the best choice as they use a special filter that blocks horizontal light. Repeated UV exposure increases the risk of long-term eye damage, so quality sunglasses should be an essential part of your kit.

I use Ombraz Sunglasses for more reasons than one. They are extremely comfortable (there are no pressure points), the frames are indestructible, and they use a high-quality Zeiss polarised lens – AND they use a cord instead of arms so they do not fall off. Told you there was more than one!

Another tip, if you use poles, your hands can be highly exposed to UV rays. I almost never hike without my sun gloves.

An SPF 50 sunscreen will give you the best protection. Sticks also reduce the chance of spills or leakage throughout your pack – spoken from experience! Pair that with an SPF 50 Lip Balm. A good-quality lip balm will also protect your lips against windburn. Lip gloss is not lip protection – just saying.

We mentioned a face buff earlier, which has many uses – to protect against sun or wind, an eyemask at night, and a sweatband or earmuff, when worn as a headband.

And last, but not least, headwear. A cap pairs perfectly with a sun hoodie, but if worn alone, it leaves your neck and ears vulnerable to sun exposure. Another option is a wide-brimmed hat. Just make sure it has a brim wide enough to provide ample shade for your face, including your neck and ears.

Sun Protection Recommendations

First Aid Kit

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A first aid kit is pretty much essential. There are no opportunities on the trails to purchase pain medication or other basic first aid items. The most common injuries are cuts, sprains, and slips, so your kit should match the likely risks. We have a full guide on what to include in a hiking first aid kit. It's worth a read. Alternatively you can buy a ready made kit.

For those traveling from North America, Acetaminophen or Tylenol is known as Paracetamol or Panadol, and Advil is Ibuprofen. Both a readily available in throughout the Nordic region.

Mosquito season in Scandinavia is generally between the months of July and mid-September. Having antihistamine in your kit will calm down any severe reaction you may get if bitten. Mosquitos aren't as apparent on the Laugavegur Trail, but as this guide will also be used for the Kungsleden and the Arctic Circle Trail, we'll include it – as well as a mosquito net!

First Aid Recommendations

Toilet & Hygiene

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Toileting

Even though the huts on the Laugavegur Trail and other trails in Scandinavia have toilets, you may still find yourself needing to “go” when on the track. So, it’s really important to know how to toilet responsibly and what to carry to do so. You need to carry a “poop kit” which is explained below. Oh! and don't forget hand sanitiser. There are no basins with soap on the trail.

We have a dedicated article on how to go to the toilet on the trail, including how to manage “number twos” and how to properly dispose of them. Your “poop kit” should include a trowel and doggie bags for toilet paper, or an outback bidet if you choose not to use toilet paper. Ladies, when urinating, will benefit from a Kula Cloth (pee cloth) or even a Female Urination Device (FUD), which allows you to pee standing up.

If all of this sounds like gobbledygook to you, I recommend having a read of our article! We also cover hiking with your period, which you may find helpful.

Hygiene

If you are using a luggage transport service, you won't need to carry the following; however the rest of us will. So keeping it as minimal as possible is key.

I transfer my toothpaste into reusable toothpaste tubes, though you can also just carry a small one. Do the same with all other toiletries by decanting them into small travel bottles, preferably with screw lids rather than flip lids (spoken from experience). If I am not staying in a hut, I'll carry an ultralight foldable dog bowl that I can take into the toilet or into my tent, to wash parts of my body that need freshening up.

Another useful item is a small travel towel, not only for drying yourself after a wash, but also if you take a dip in a lake or hot spring.

Toilet & Hygiene Recommendations

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Safety

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When you're hiking a trail such as the Laugavegur, your safety gear and navigation tools aren’t just “nice to have”, they’re pretty much essential. In clear conditions, the Laugavegur Trail is straightforward to follow, but fog, snowfields (common early season), or sudden weather shifts can quickly reduce visibility. On our second day leaving Hrafntinnusker, the fog was so thick, we couldn't see in front of us. The bottom line is, conditions change fast, and accidents can and do happen.

Navigation

A GPX file is strongly recommended, and almost every hiker has one on their phones or GPS devices. Apps like Gaia GPS, AllTrails, or Mapy.com all have downloadable trails in the Nordic region, including the Laugavegur Trail, the Kungsleden, and the Arctic Circle Trail.

However, electronic devices can and do fail – or become lost, or dropped and broken. A real map (known as a topographic map) and a compass are your friends, if you do lose your device with your GPS map.

Laugavegur Trail

Andrew McCluggage's Trekking Iceland's Laugavegur Trail & Fimmvorduhals Trail (Knife Edge Press), is a great guide which also includes topographic maps, GPX downloads, section breakdowns, and estimated timings.

The Ferdakort 1:100,000 maps are readily available in Iceland and the “Landmannalaugar – Þórsmörk” sheet is the most relevant.

Kungsleden

Cicerone Trekking Guides produces The Kungsleden – Walking Sweden's Royal Trail, which includes 1:100,000 maps included for each stage and GPX files available to download

Calazo Maps are the suppliers for the Kungsleden and you can find them here. If you have any questions regarding the maps you require, they respond really quickly to emails and are extremely helpful.

Arctic Circle Trail

Cicerone Trekking Guides produces Trekking in Greenland – The Arctic Circle Trail: From Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut, which includes 1:100,000 maps included for each stage and GPX files available to download

The topographic maps of the Arctic Circle Trail can be purchased in Sisimiut, Kangerlussuaq, or Nuuk at the airport souvenir shops and various lodges. You can also buy maps in Denmark from Scanmaps or in the UK from Harvey Maps

You will need to buy 3 maps that cover the trail. The maps are: Sisimiut, Pingu, and Kangerlussuaq.

Satellite Emergency Notification Devices

Satellite Emergency Notification Devices (SEND), like the Garmin inReach Mini, allow for two-way messaging and SOS alerts. When an SOS is triggered, it connects to a 24/7 monitoring centre that communicates with you directly and coordinates with local search and rescue. If you are lost or injured, this may well be what could save you. It's prudent for at least one member of a hiking party to carry one.

Search and Rescue Coverage

What many people don’t realise is that hiking is, in many ways, an endurance sport. Weather, dehydration, and physical ability can all impact your ability to navigate safely. And then there’s the risk of injury, which more often than not can happen in the simplest way.

Only some travel insurance policies cover the actual cost of the helicopter and the search, rescue, and medical team. You need to check your policy carefully, and if in doubt, call and confirm.

I use and recommend Overwatch x Rescue. It includes helicopter rescue and repatriation to your home hospital, should you need it. For what it offers, it’s extremely well priced, and far more competitive than anything else out there. Please use my code SOUL15 for a 15% discount.

Lighting

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Whether you're traversing through thick fog, or negotiating your way to toilet in the middle of the night, a light source is an important safety tool. It's the one item you cannot afford to leave behind, or bring with no charge or spare batteries. Rechargeable headlamps use little power to charge up. However, using them at high lumens can drain the battery more quickly. So, if using your lamp for extended periods, use on a lower setting to preserve charge.

If you are staying in the huts, make sure your headlamp has a red or green light setting so you can use it at night if you need to get up. Not only will this be less intrusive to your roommates, but it will also have less impact on your circadian rhythm.

Safety Recommendations

Water & Hydration

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Hydration matters just as much in cold climates as it does in hot ones. In Iceland, the dry air means you lose water through every breath, and it’s easy to underestimate how much you’re sweating under layers. You may not feel thirsty, but long days on the trail, wind exposure, and pack weight still take their toll.

So it's important to sip steadily throughout the day to stay ahead of it. You can either use a water bottle or a water bladder (hydration reservoir). There are plenty of places to fill up during the day, so the main thing is ensuring you do actually keep drinking.

Iceland and the rest of Scandinavia have the cleanest water I have ever tasted. In fact, I drank a lot because it was so delicious! However, there are some parts of the trail that run through pasture land – either sheep in Iceland or reindeer in Sweden. If you are getting water from streams in these areas, it's important to treat it, either by filtering it, using UV devices (e.g. SteriPEN), or purification tablets. We use a Katadyn BeFree water filter. It's lightweight, quick and easy to use.

Water & Hydration Recommendations

Power Banks

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One or two 10,000 mAh power banks are usually enough to keep your phone, headlamp, and GPS device running. How much capacity you need depends on how often you use your phone for photos, maps, etc, but a second bank will give you peace of mind.

Cold weather also drains batteries more quickly. If it is cold at night, keep your power banks and phone inside your sleeping bag to help preserve charge.

Power Bank Recommendations

Hiking Poles (Optional)

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Hiking poles (aka trekking poles or walking sticks) give you a third and fourth point of contact on the trail, and this naturally widens your base of support and improves stability. When you walk downhill, gravity pushes your body weight forward with every step. Without poles, all that force is absorbed by your joints – mainly the knees and hips.

Hiking poles also give you that safety “third point” when crossing rivers. Many people go without them, but I just think they make more sense from a safety perspective. Some of the descents can be pretty steep.

I vote yes to Hiking Poles.

Sleep System

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Huts in Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Greenland are simple. Although there are various designs of huts, the bed is virtually the same in all of them: a standard four-inch vinyl-covered foam mattress, usually on a bunk bed. It’s up to you to bring your own bedding.

Huts in Iceland are generally heated, and most huts use gas heaters or geothermal energy for warmth. However, some huts might have limited or no heating for the sleeping areas. Heating is often turned off at night in some huts for safety reasons

A three-season sleeping bag or quilt is usually enough for any of the huts, but if you sleep cold you might like to consider a Thermolite liner, which can raise your sleeping bag warmth by around 10°C. Regardless, you will need a sleeping sheet or a sleeping bag liner to protect the mattress.

Pillows are also not included and so you have several options. Some people bring a pillowcase to stuff with their clothes, while others bring a small blow-up hiking pillow. Either way, there are alternatives to your regular pillow you have at home.

Campers

Campers obviously will be sleeping outside, so their sleep system is slightly different. You lose more warmth through conduction into the ground than through the top of your sleeping bag or quilt, so it's your sleeping pad that needs to be the star performer in the sleep system arena.

The earth doesn’t have to be freezing for this to happen; it just has to be cooler than you. Your sleeping pad slows that transfer by creating a layer of still air or insulation underneath. Without it, your body keeps feeding the ground heat all night, no matter how warm your sleeping bag feels on top.

How well a pad resists conductive heat loss is called an R-value (or R-rating), so essentially how warm the pad will be. An R-rating in the 4.5-6 range is suitable for the Laugavegur Trail. If you sleep cold, you can increase your R-Value by adding a foam pad (closed cell pad) underneath your air mattress. Therm-a-Rest's Ultra-LW Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad will add 2.0 R-value to any sleep system.

I've written a comprehensive guide to Sleeping Pads and the R-Value Explained, which is a good read if you are in the market for a new sleeping pad.

I used a quilt with a warmth rating of -5°C / 22°F, paired with a sleeping pad with an R-Value of 5, and I was toasty warm. However, everyone is different so please take that into consideration. A Thermolite liner is known to increase your warmth ratio by 10°C.

When you’re choosing a sleeping bag or quilt, don’t just look at the “extreme” rating. That’s a survival benchmark, not a guide to comfort. The comfort rating is a better baseline for colder sleepers or women, while the limit rating is more useful for men or warm sleepers.

A lightweight hiking pillow or a stuffed dry bag is usually sufficient for a pillow.

Sleep System Recommendations

Tent

Campers

The best tent for the Laugavegur Trail is a three- or four-season tent with high wind resistance, a low-profile design, and a freestanding structure for stability on potentially rocky ground. Unfortunately, this is not the trail to try out that cheap tent from Amazon. The winds can reach gale force, and the stories of tents ripped or flattened are real.

Freestanding tents are the more practical choice on the Laugavegur. Trekking pole tents rely on tension to stay upright, which means they need a solid grip in the ground, which is not always easy in Iceland. Trekking pole tents need to be set up facing into the wind at a specific angle to maintain tension. If the wind shifts direction, which it often does in Iceland, the structure can become unstable or even collapse, especially if the ground doesn’t hold pegs securely.

The best stakes to use are Y-shaped or V-shaped, which hold better in poor conditions, and it’s also worth having a few extra guy lines for added stability. Fortunately there are enough rocks lying around to weigh things down if the wind picks up. Pitch your tent as usual, then place a rock over the guy line where it meets the stake to help secure it.

We used a Slingfin Portal, which is not seen much in Europe. They are designed for extreme weather conditions, including high winds and heavy snow loads. They include reinforced elements such as internal guy lines and the ability to use your trekking poles for additional support.

Tent Recommendations

Camp Kitchen

Campers

The Laugavegur Trail huts and huts in Sweden and Norway, have basic but good kitchens available for use, so this section really only applies to campers.

When hiking these, you need something that works efficiently and packs light. Unlike camping in the huts in New Zealand, campers are not permitted to use the common areas used by those staying in huts, and more often than not, there is little or shelter.

I always pack our overnight oats, which you can heat up for a loaded hot porridge. For other meals, the best options are dehydrated meals, where you add water; however I fully understand these meals do not suit everybody. As well as dehydrated meals we bought couscous and tins of tuna in Reykjavík, but regardless the most we needed was boiling water, and a small 900ml pot for the two of us was sufficient.

There is plenty of gas available so a screw top gas cooker is fine. Just a word on that, gas can be purchased at the BSÍ Terminal if you are heading straight out to the trailhead from the airport, and slightly cheaper at the gas station just outside the terminal on the way to the Civic Centre to catch one of the highland busses.

As well as a simple pot and cooker (or all in one system, such as a Jetboil), you'll need a spork and cup. We purchased rye bread, cheese and peanut butter in Reykjavík, which we spread with our utility knife.

We did take our Aeropress to have a decent coffee, which was very welcome!

For more information on camp kitchens when hiking, please visit our Full Gear Guide for Multi-day Hikes.

Food

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Iceland has strict biosecurity regulations and you cannot bring any meat or dairy products into Iceland, unless they are fully cooked, boiled, or canned. Freeze-dried comes into this category. Other foods are allowed, as long as they don't contain meat or milk.

If you are bringing your own overnight oats, make sure they are made with a plant-based milk powder, such as coconut or almond and not dairy. Bringing these amazing hiker's breakfasts into Iceland is far cheaper than trying to create them on arrival. It's always time consuming trying to negotiate a new country's supermarkets, especially when looking for specific items.

That said, we did buy rye bread, peanut butter, a few cheeses, and a large block of a type of pâté as snacks. Along with couscous and some tins of fish, it all set us up for lunch. The items were fairly cheap in comparison to general costs in Iceland.

Dehydrated meals are more expensive in Iceland, but we needed to bulk up our supply so bought a couple. We didn't see much else around apart from Real Turmat, but then again we only shopped at the BSI Terminal, which has a captive market. If you're heading straight from the airport to the trailhead, this might be your only stop.

You can buy dehydrated meals in the huts, but the selection is small so if you have dietary requirements, you may be a bit stuck.

Camp Kitchen Recommendations

Hut Clothes/Camp Clothes

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Your camp clothes or hut clothes are your spare set of clothes you wear in the evening, and sometimes sleep in. Changing into something clean and dry straight after your hike helps you warm up faster, avoid chafing or skin irritation, and signals to your body that it’s time to rest and recover. It's important not to hike in your clean hut clothes, as keeping them dry and clean means you’ll always have something warm and comfortable to change into.

If you are using the luggage transfer services, you have the luxury of taking along slightly heavier after-hike wear. But for everyone else, each item needs to earn it's place in your pack.

For me, as a camper, this means wearing my hut clothes as pyjamas. My hut clothes consist of a merino top and a pair of merino joggers. Hut-to-hut hikers may take along something lighter to wear to bed, such as a pair of merino leggings.

Merino wool offers exceptional warmth for its weight, feels soft against the skin, and resists odour, making it ideal for multi-day use without washing. Synthetic fabrics wick moisture and dry faster, are more durable, and usually cost less. Both have their place, depending on your preference.

Hut Clothes/Camp Clothes Recommendations

Laugavegur Trail Packing List

The Laugavegur Trail is one of the few hikes in the Nordic region where luggage transfer services are available. These operate between the main huts (Landmannalaugar, Álftavatn, Hrafntinnusker, Emstrur, and Þórsmörk), and are designed for hut-to-hut hikers only. Campers need to carry all their gear.

Using a luggage transfer allows you to hike with just a daypack while your main bag is transported between huts. If you’ve read the earlier section on Backpacks, this is the option that lets you stick with a smaller 35L pack while still keeping your essentials on hand.

So what essentials do you need to carry? Item's to keep you warm, safe and alive basically. Walking the Laugavegur with a day pack doesn't mean you just cary the bare essentials, it means you carry all the essentials. And these include: warm layers, rainwear, sun protection, food or snacks for the day, first aid kit, toilet kit, navigation, headlamp, power bank, and water

Luggage to be transferred must be packed into a single waterproof duffel bag or soft-sided holdall. Hard suitcases generally aren’t accepted for many reasons including hard cases are awkward to lift and stack in the Icelandic Highland's 4×4 trucks, and they don’t compress or fit easily alongside soft duffels. . Bags are handled outdoors at both ends, so waterproof material (or a liner inside) is essential. The maximum weight is 18 kg per bag, and most services will not move anything heavier.

Luggage Transport Item Recommendations

Ready to Pack and Go?

The Laugavegur Trail and the other Nordic hikes all have one thing in common. Conditions can shift fast, and staying dry, warm, and organised makes all the difference. Whether you’re camping, walking hut-to-hut, or joining a guided group, the goal is the same: to stay comfortable, safe, and self-sufficient in a remote environment.

Use this packing list as a framework, not a rulebook. Adjust it to suit your experience level and hiking style, and don’t overlook the smaller details like liners, dry bags, or spare batteries — they’re often what keep a trip running smoothly.

And if you want a simple way to double-check you haven’t missed anything, try our Interactive Packing List. It’s tailored for hikes just like this one and works on any device.

Frequently Asked Questions