Outest
Laugavegur · Stage 3 of 4

Álftavatn to Emstrur

Stage 3 of the Laugavegur covers 15.8 km from Álftavatn to Emstrur, with 330 m of ascent and 407 m of descent. The highest point is 602 m. Allow about 6 hours of walking, plus breaks.

15.8 kmdistance
330 mascent
407 mdescent
~6 hwalking time
moderatedifficulty
602 mhighest point
≈ 2.5 L
≈ 1,310 kcal
Plan this stage: time, water, weather and daylight
602 m 458 m 0 km 15.8 km
Elevation profile in walking direction.

Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.

Where to sleep and eat on this stage

Emstrur

Emstrur huts (Botnar) and campsite (FÍ)

Botnar

  • Rooms
  • Camping
  • Shop
  • Seasonal — call ahead

Three small FÍ huts at about 465 m with 60 bunks in total (20 each, bring a sleeping bag), each with a small kitchen, plus a toilet house with paid showers and a small campsite in a hollow behind the huts. Hut beds are sold only as part of a multi-night Laugavegur package and fill quickly (a rented-tent package is the alternative); open with a warden usually about 25 June–18 September, mobile signal only on the hill above.

+354 823 5008WebsiteBook onlineMap

Hvanngil

Hvanngil hut and campsite (FÍ)

  • Rooms
  • Camping
  • Shop
  • Seasonal — call ahead

Hut run by Ferðafélag Íslands at about 550 m, sleeping 60 in bunks and a mattress loft (bring a sleeping bag), with a gas-stove kitchen, toilet house with paid showers, and two campsites, one sheltered in the lava field. Open with a warden usually about 25 June–17 September, reachable by 4x4 on F210; book in advance.

+354 499 0675WebsiteBook onlineMap

Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "not confirmed by the operator" are listed in travel guides but could not be checked on an official page. Huts are staffed from about late June to mid-September. Book a hut bed or a campsite for every night before you start, and bring a sleeping bag.

Help and services on this stage

Emergency: call 112 or use the 112 Iceland app. Emergency & health guide

Nearest hospital

Health centres

Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.

← Stage 2Hrafntinnusker to Álftavatn

Walk Álftavatn to Emstrur with Outest

The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.

Open the Laugavegur in Outest App Store Google Play