Fimmvorduhals Trail

Spanning around 25 kilometres from Skógar to Þórsmörk (Thorsmork), the Fimmvörðuháls Trail is a challenging day hike. There are some steep ascents and challenging pathways, but those that embark on a Fimmvörðuháls adventure are rewarded with a glimpse of Iceland’s empty, rugged interior, a world away from civilization.

The Fimmvörðuháls trek is a point-to-point hike between Skógar and Þórsmörk and you can begin the walk at either end of the trail. Most walkers begin at Skógar and follow the 25-kilometre route to Þórsmörk through Iceland’s empty interior. From Reykjavík, it’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Skógar, following the Route One main road along the south coast.

As the Fimmvörðuháls walk takes between 8 and 10 hours to complete in a single day, most hikers choose to spend the night at Skógar or nearby Vík before embarking on their adventure early in the morning.

If you do plan to start your Fimmvörðuháls walk at Þórsmörk, there is a handy Highland Bus that departs from Reykjavík daily and is equipped to deal with the river fords and bumpy F-roads that lead to the trailhead. Of course, if you book a Fimmvörðuháls guided hike, tour companies can include transfers from Reykjavík so you don’t have to worry about logistics.