Laugavegur Ultra Marathon is a 55km ultra marathon in Landmannalaugar, Iceland. Distance: 55km. Elevation: 1,600m D+. Difficulty: challenging (Challenge Rating 41/100). DNF rate: 10%. Time limit: 12h. Surface: off-trail. Established 1997.
Laugavegur Ultra Marathon
Landmannalaugar, Southern Highlands, Iceland
"55km through Iceland's volcanic highlands — rhyolite mountains, glacial river crossings, and otherworldly terrain."
Run one of the world's most spectacular hiking trails as an ultra — through Iceland's volcanic highlands with steaming hot springs, rhyolite mountains, and glacial rivers.
The Course
Following the famous Laugavegur hiking trail from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk through Iceland's volcanic highlands. The course crosses rhyolite mountains, obsidian fields, glacial rivers, and steaming hot springs. Some of the most otherworldly terrain on Earth.
hilly
point-to-point
3
1,050m
Runner Experience
Remote course with widely spaced aid points. Runners should be prepared for long unsupported stretches.
A legendary finish line atmosphere. Laugavegur Ultra Marathon is a bucket-list race with celebrations that match its reputation.
Race Day Weather
8°C
2° – 14°
75%
50%
Icelandic highland conditions — extremely changeable. Sun, rain, hail, and wind all possible within an hour. River crossings are knee-to-waist deep and ice cold.
Stats & Records
1997
250
8:30:00
3:49:22
Stefán Helgi Valsson (2023)
4:38:55
Arna Stefansdottir (2022)
Entry
ISK 25000
February
weeks
Lore & Trivia
The Laugavegur Ultra follows Iceland's most famous hiking trail through the volcanic highlands between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk. The 55km course crosses coloured rhyolite mountains (pink, yellow, green), obsidian lava fields, black sand deserts, and glacial rivers. Hot springs along the route provide surreal mid-race recovery. The landscape is so otherworldly that it has been used as a stand-in for alien planets in films — and running through it at speed only amplifies the unreality.
- ▸ Runners ford glacial rivers waist-deep with water temperatures near freezing.
- ▸ The rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar display every color imaginable — orange, green, yellow, purple, and red.
- ▸ The trail passes through obsidian fields — natural volcanic glass that crunches underfoot.
- ▸ Steaming hot springs and fumaroles line parts of the course, creating a surreal otherworldly atmosphere.
- ▸ Established in 1997.
Iceland's Laugavegur trail is another planet — coloured rhyolite mountains, black sand deserts, and hot rivers you can swim in mid-race.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Laugavegur Ultra Marathon? +
Laugavegur Ultra Marathon is a 55km (55km) ultra marathon with 1,600m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on off-trail terrain.
How hard is Laugavegur Ultra Marathon? +
Laugavegur Ultra Marathon is rated challenging with a Challenge Rating of 41/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 10%. Runners have 12 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Laugavegur Ultra Marathon? +
Average temperature is 8°C (range 2°C to 14°C) with 75% humidity and a 50% chance of rain. Icelandic highland conditions — extremely changeable. Sun, rain, hail, and wind all possible within an hour. River crossings are knee-to-waist deep and ice cold.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Laugavegur Ultra Marathon? +
No crew access is permitted. Pacers are not allowed. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the course record for Laugavegur Ultra Marathon? +
The men's course record is 3:49:22 set by Stefán Helgi Valsson in 2023. The women's course record is 4:38:55 set by Arna Stefansdottir in 2022.
What is the average finish time for Laugavegur Ultra Marathon? +
The average finish time is 8:30:00. About 250 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 10%.
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