Laugavegur

Laugavegur is a name associated with two well-known places in Iceland. One is a central commercial street in Reykjavík, the capital city. Laugavegur runs through the historic downtown area and is regarded as the main shopping and nightlife street, lined with shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. The name derives from the word laug, meaning “bath,” reflecting Iceland’s historic public baths that once stood near the area. It serves as a primary corridor for pedestrians and a focal point for urban activity and tourism.

The other Laugavegur is a famous trekking route in the Icelandic highlands. This hiking trail runs from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk and covers roughly 55 kilometers (about 34 miles). It is typically completed over four days and passes a variety of landscapes, including geothermal valleys, colorful rhyolite mountains, lava fields, and lakes such as Álftavatn. The route is usually open during the Icelandic summer, when mountain huts operated by local hiking associations provide shelter and meals. Hikers should prepare for rapidly changing weather and remote conditions, and reservations for huts are commonly required. The Laugavegur trail is often linked with the Fimmvörðuháls route, which continues over a ridge to the south.