Skating the Laugavegur

Offroad inlineskating might seem like an impossible discipline, but with specially designed air‑filled wheels – reminiscent of mountain bike tyres – the seemingly impossible becomes possible. Skating away from paved roads offers not only adrenaline and fun, but also demands complete body control and coordination.

Iceland, with its famous, breathtaking landscapes, was chosen not only for its beauty but also for its unique topography. In the Landmannalaugar region, mountains, hills, and razor‑edged ridges offer captivating scenery and limitless possibilities. This geological diversity, with its varied terrain, creates a perfect stage for testing the limits of offroad skating.

On a ten‑day journey through Iceland, I finally fulfilled a dream I had carried with me for years. Ever since discovering offroad skating, I had been captivated by the idea of exploring this rugged, remote island – a place that seemed almost made for it. I’ve long been fascinated by Iceland, and it promised skating spots unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Our trip led us deep into the Landmannalaugar highlands. We hiked and camped along the famous Laugavegur Trail – a place of striking colour contrasts and endless terrain – scouting for trails and pushing the boundaries of what offroad skating could be in such a wild environment.

The terrain did not disappoint: varied, challenging, and full of surprises. The weather, however, was a constant adversary. With wind speeds up to 90 km/h, heavy rain, and temperatures dropping to 5°C, skating was often impossible. Because we had a fixed timeframe to complete the trail, there was no flexibility to wait for perfect conditions, and several promising spots had to be skipped. Still, I managed to skate in a number of places. Each offered a different surface – sandy, hard‑packed earth, rocky, grassy, or even clay‑like – all set against an ever‑changing, spectacular backdrop.

Despite the challenges, we were lucky to experience some good weather too, which made the skating even more special. One moment, in particular, captured both the beauty and harshness of Icelandic nature: battling forward through 90 km/h winds and driving rain, the sun suddenly broke through, casting a brilliant rainbow over the mountains – a fleeting reminder of why this place is so extraordinary.

Another constant challenge was my backpack, weighing around 26 kg and loaded with skates, clothes, tent, food, stove, and more. The Laugavegur Trail itself is not technically difficult, but with a heavy pack and unpredictable weather, it becomes far from easy. Even so, the scenery made every step worthwhile.

After more than a decade of dreaming about skating in Iceland, it’s hard to describe the feeling of finally making it happen. My expectations were completely met, and the experience of skating in this remarkable landscape is something I will carry with me forever.

This article was written exclusively for New Mountain Magazine Issue Two. All images copyright Björn Hunger / Pascal Humbrink.