Laugavegur Food Guide: Hut Cooking & Trail Meals
What to eat on Laugavegur — bring food from Reykjavík, cook in FI hut kitchens, hut shop prices and Lee's trail meal rhythm.
Hiked by Lee
Self-guided
Last verified
On Laugavegur, you bring almost all your food. FI huts provide kitchens and stoves — not meals. Hut shops sell expensive snacks; Lee's €33 soup + beer at Álftavatn was a deserved splurge after a wet Day 2.
Also read: Complete Guide · Cost guide · Huts guide
Daily food rhythm
| Meal | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Self-cook in hut kitchen | Oats, coffee, instant — Lee regretted no real coffee beans |
| Lunch | Packed on trail | Sandwiches, bars, crisp balls (trail snack favourite) |
| Dinner | Self-cook in hut kitchen | Freeze-dried meals, pasta |
| Treats | Hut shop or carried | Chocolate, whiskey, beer |
Budget: 10,000–20,000 ISK for 4 days if mostly self-catered.
Buy in Reykjavík
Stock up at Bonus or Krónan before the bus:
- Freeze-dried meals × 4 dinners
- Oats, instant coffee, breakfast items
- Bread, cheese, salami for lunches
- Nuts, bars, chocolate, crisps
- Tea, hot chocolate, whiskey (Lee's morale item)
- Cooking fuel if not buying at hut
Hut kitchen reality
FI huts have:
- Gas stoves (shared)
- Pots, pans, basic utensils
- Cold running water
- Communal dining area
You bring: food, any special utensils, cleaning courtesy.
Peak times = busy kitchens. Start dinner early or wait.
Hut shop splurges
Some huts sell limited supplies:
| Hut | Extras |
|---|---|
| Álftavatn | Soup, salad, beer, meals |
| Þórsmörk / Volcano Huts | Full restaurant menu |
Prices are high — budget for one splurge day, not daily reliance.
River crossing food tip
Eat before cold crossings when possible. Warm food after wading = morale boost.
Water
- Streams generally safe — filter or tablets as backup
- Fill bottles at huts before long dry sections
- Limited water at remote huts (Vazzoler-style — less relevant on Laugavegur but watch Emstrur area)
Comfort food wins
Lee's trail favourites:
- Crisp balls (Icelandic snack)
- Instant coffee (upgrade from this if you care)
- Freeze-dried noodles at Emstrur
- Shared whiskey with new hut friends
- Post-hike burger at Volcano Huts (accidental perfect ending)
Dietary restrictions
- Bring everything you need — shops won't have specialty items
- Freeze-dried brands often have gluten-free / veg options
- Label your food in shared fridges
Related planning
- Packing list — stove, mug, spork
- Cost guide — food budget line
- Huts guide — kitchen facilities
- Itinerary — long lunch days
Next guide
How Hard Is Laugavegur? Difficulty & Fitness Guide
Laugavegur difficulty — moderate 55 km hut trek, glacial river crossings, Iceland weather and who the highland trail suits.
