ESCANABA — Brothers Ryan and Aaron Deiter recently completed a challenging 50-mile hike on Iceland’s renowned Laugavegur Trail. This multi-day, guided trek began in Landmannalaugar, a popular hiking region in Iceland’s Highlands known for its stunning, other-worldly scenery. The trail offered dramatic sights, including the remote oasis Alftavatn, impressive glacier views, and the colorful Mount Brennisteinsalda, or “Rainbow Mountain.” The brothers extended their adventure by adding a segment of the Fimmvörðuháls Trail, making for a combined journey of over 50 miles through Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes.
The hiking itinerary covered travel from Reykjavik and included five nights of accommodation and meals. Highlights of the trip included traversing rugged terrains, river crossings, and glacier fields, as well as experiencing weather akin to Upper Michigan’s—with wind, rain, and occasional snow. Each day involved 5 to 15 miles of hiking through lunar-like terrain, around volcano bases, and alongside crystal-clear glacier-fed rivers.
Ryan Deiter described the experience as beyond words, stating, “Unbelievable isn’t the right word to describe the sights here.” The final night of the guided tour featured a traditional Icelandic meal prepared by the guides. The six-day trek concluded with a return to Reykjavik, where the brothers spent their last day exploring Iceland’s capital before heading home.
Originally planned for 2020, the Laugavegur Trail hike was postponed due to travel restrictions and health concerns. The hike had been a bucket list item for the brothers since they completed the Inca Trail in Peru with their younger brother Brett in 2016. The Deiter brothers have also hiked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim and various trails in Upper Michigan, including Isle Royale and multiple treks at Pictured Rocks. Their most recent Pictured Rocks adventure in 2022 included all four brothers, with the youngest, Abe, and their father, Rodney, joining them.
This year marked a personal milestone for Aaron Deiter, who completed the Hike 100 Challenge by hiking over 100 miles on the North Country Trail. This trail, spanning several states, includes some of Upper Michigan’s premier hiking and backcountry camping spots.
“I did my pre-Iceland waterfall hike training at the beautiful Tahquamenon Falls State Park here in the U.P.,” Aaron said. He spent the spring and fall hiking and camping with friends and family in the Porcupine Mountains, Pictured Rocks, and Tahquamenon Falls areas—all part of the North Country Trail system, making his 100 trail miles both scenic and achievable.
Reflecting on his favorite part of the Laugavegur Trail, Aaron noted, “It’s a special place. Very primal. My favorite part was how the environment made me feel humble. There was a certain mystique or raw energy about it. Experiencing an alien world in Iceland made me appreciate the natural beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula even more.”