7 daysPRIVATE TOUR - Laugavegur Trek
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Mountains
Hrafntinnusker
About Hrafntinnusker
Hrafntinnusker is a high, obsidian-strewn ridge in the Fjallabak highlands of South Iceland and the usual first overnight stop on the Laugavegur trail, about 12 km on foot from Landmannalaugar. The name comes from hrafntinna, the Icelandic word for obsidian, and shards of black volcanic glass glint across the ground around the hut.
At about 1,100 m, the Hrafntinnusker hut is the highest on the Laugavegur. Snowfields linger here through much of the summer, steam vents hiss from the surrounding slopes, and fog can roll in within minutes, so it often feels colder and wilder than the valleys on either side.
Ferðafélag Íslands runs the hut, Höskuldsskáli, which sleeps 52 in bunks and a loft and has a kitchen with gas stoves and cold running water. There are no showers. Campers pitch on sand, gravel or snow below the hut, and day visitors pay a facility fee to use the toilets.
Hrafntinnusker can only be reached on foot. The trail from Landmannalaugar climbs about 470 m over 12 km and takes 4–5 hours, and the next stage continues roughly 12 km down to Álftavatn. The hut is usually staffed from late June to mid-September, and beds fill early, so book well ahead and check the weather forecast before leaving Landmannalaugar.
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Good to know
Where is Hrafntinnusker?
Hrafntinnusker is in the Fjallabak highlands of South Iceland, about 12 km by trail southwest of Landmannalaugar. It is usually the first overnight stop on the Laugavegur trek.
How long is the hike from Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker?
The hike is about 12 km with roughly 470 m of climbing and takes 4–5 hours. It crosses the Laugahraun lava field and climbs through colorful rhyolite hills and snowfields.
Can you drive to Hrafntinnusker?
No. The hut can only be reached on foot, since the dirt track to it is nearly impassable and used only for occasional supply runs.
What does Hrafntinnusker mean?
Hrafntinnusker means roughly "obsidian skerry." Hrafntinna is the Icelandic word for obsidian, the black volcanic glass that covers the ground in the area.
Is there camping at Hrafntinnusker?
Yes. There is a campsite below the hut, but you pitch on sand, gravel or even snow depending on conditions, so bring a tent that can handle strong wind.
When is the Hrafntinnusker hut open?
The hut is open on average from June 25 to September 16, depending on when the highland roads and the Laugavegur trail open. It is locked in winter.
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