Hiking & Trekking Self-Guided

3-Day Self-Guided Hiking Adventure in Thorsmork Glacier Valley and Fimmvörðuháls

Get into the journey of a lifetime on this amazing hiking experience in the glacier valley of Þórsmörk and up to the Fimmvörðuháls pass.

Availability on request for Summer 2023!

Tour code: IMGS35

Arnar Már Ólafsson

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Þórsmörk (Thorsmork) is the last part of the famous Laugavegur trail, considered by many, the most beautiful part. It is named after the Norse god Thor, situated between three glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Tindfjallajökull. To get there you need to cross several unbridged rivers, only reachable by large 4x4 vehicles.

Þórsmörk is regarded as “the hikers paradise” among Icelanders: breath-taking scenery, vast landscapes, and numerous trails to follow, you will immerse yourself into the purest Icelandic nature has on offer. In this relatively small area, you will be able to cross rivers, hike mountains, walk by lava fields, contemplate the uniqueness of a glacier, and get amazing views of this unique area.

Tour Overview

Difficulty

Moderate to Challenging
Availability

June - Sept
Duration

3 days

Contact Us

For availability information on a tour, please contact us using the form below.

Thank you for the request, we will contact you with further information.

Tour Highlights

Included

2 nights in mountain hut sleeping bag accommodation in dormitories
Transport at the beginning and end of the trek

Not Included

Food
Sleeping bag (rental available for 7000 ISK per person)
Showers in the hut (payable on site)

Tour Map and Itinerary

Click map for detailed itinerary

You will start your journey by boarding the highland bus from BSI bus terminal which will take you to the beautiful glacier valley of Þórsmörk. On the route the bus will pass by the picturesque villages of Selfoss, Hella and Hvolsvöllur. You need to get off the bus at Langidalur hut, where you will lodge for the next 2 nights. Your first hike will be crossing the hiking bridge over the Krossá river, visit Tröllakirkja (troll church) a unique rock formation with a small cave underneath and hike either into the beautiful Hvannárgil or up to Mt. Réttarfell. Return to your hut for dinner and overnight

Hike 5-8 km
Active walking time: 3-4 hrs.
Ascent and descent 400 m

Today you will climb up the hills leading to the pass of Fimmvörðuháls, walking along the Kattarhryggir ridges with views over the impressive mountain of Útigönguhöfði up to Morinsheiði heath.

At the end of the Morinsheiði plateau you will enjoy the view of the lava stream that flowed down from the Fimmvörðuháls volcano in March and early April 2010. As you gain height above Morinsheiði, you will reach the lava field and the two craters Magni and Móði that erupted prior to the main Eyjafjallajökull crater before heading back to Þórsmörk with the magnificent view over the glaciers and this beautiful valley.

Hike 18 km
Active walking time: 7 hrs.
Ascent 1000m
Descent 1000m

Today you will hike a scenic trail with an extraordinary view over Goðaland, The glaciers and the inner part of Þórsmörk. You need to proceed into the Slyppugil valley and towards Tindfjallagil where you will find a unique rock formation with a small cave underneath, called Tröllakirkja (the church of the trolls). You will have the chance of climbing Mt Rjúpnafell and heading down afterwards following the banks of the Krossá river which will bring you back to your hut in time for the evening bus back to Reykjavik. Your bus departs ate 20:00 and arrives in Reykjavik at around 23:30

Hike: 14 - 16 km
Active walking time: 4 hrs. or 7 hrs.
Ascent: 450m
Descent: 450m

Possible alternative hike on this day or to replace the hike on day 1, you can climb up the small mountain of Valahnúkur and enjoy its breath-taking views over the surrounding landscape. From there you descend to the cave Sönghellir (Song cave) and to Húsadalur. You then head back to Langidalur from where you wiill board the afternoon bus to Reykjavík.

Arrival at Reykjavik BSI bus terminal at 19:20.

Hike: 5-6 km
Active walking 3 hrs.
Ascent and descent 200 m