Start: Skógafoss Waterfall (30 mins from Vik)
End: Básar Hut in Thórsmörk
Time: 8-10 hrs
Distance: 25 km (15.5 miles) one-way
Elevation Gain: 1400 meters (4600 feet) total ascent
When to go: June to September
Nearest airport: Reykjavík
Highlights
Fimmvörðuháls Hike passes 26 waterfalls, 1 volcano, 2 glaciers, what more can you say. The hike starts at Skógafoss Waterfall and only keeps getting better as it follows the Skogar river through a lush green canyon. On a clear day (there are not many of those in Iceland), from the main road before heading to Skógafoss Waterfall parking you can see the waterfall and the glacier, which makes for a stunning postcard picture.
At Fimmvörðuháls pass you also have the option to summit the newly created mountain Modi. The mountain was formed following the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption in 2010 which disrupted flights in Europe for a week or so.
Families
Even though this is a long and strenuous hike in it’s entirety but parts of it can be done with kids. There are a series of stairs you have to climb from Skógafoss to the trail head but after that trail is quite flat or has a gentle elevation gain for couple of hours. You can see 5-8 waterfalls if you keep going for 2 hrs and turn back. You can also see the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull ice caps from the trail which is quite a sight. We did it with a toddler in a backpack and we all were happy with the adventure. Definitely don’t recommended doing the entire hike with kids.
Difficulty
It is is a long and strenuous hike. It can get quite cold at the top as well. The terrain of the trail changes from lush green grass to volcanic gravel road to walking on ice. Ice and rain can make many parts of the trail difficult and dangerous especially on the descent as certain parts of the trail are along the ridge line.
Getting There
As this is a point to point hike so you will need to arrange transportation to get back where you started. From Thórsmörk you have to book a 4X4 to take you back to where you left your car or take a bus from Thórsmörk. Thule, TREX and Southcoast Adventure operate the 4X4 buses and it’s best if you pre book you seats. Busses from Thórsmörk make stops at Seljalandsfoss, Hvolsvöllur, Hella, Selfoss, and Reykjavík. If you are going east of Seljalandsfoss you are better off parking your car at Seljalandsfoss and take a taxi which also has to be prebooked from Seljalandsfoss to your destination. Both Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss have a big parking lot. Parking in Seljalandsfoss is probably better as it gives to more options on the way back from Thórsmörk and you don’t have to wait for taxi after a long day of hiking.
If you plan to do part of the hike and turn back then obviously parking at Skógafoss makes the most sense.
Nearby Activities
- Seljalandsfoss
- Black Beach
- Thakgil
- Svartifoss Waterfall