- Best time to visit
- June- August
- Distance from Reykjavík
- 128 km (79.5 mi)
- Coordinates
- 63.677806721542986, -19.481763818414596
Related tours
Highland Bus - Reykjavík to Þórsmörk
The spectacular Þórsmörk (Thor’s Forest) area offers landscapes ranging from towering mountains to scores of glacial streams and kilometers of black sand. It is a favorite among nature-loving Icelanders and travelers from around the world. Book the Highland Bus for your hiking adventure!
6-Day Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls in Huts
Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Icelandic highlands on the Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls Hiking Tour. This six-day trek is an extraordinary journey through some of Iceland's most stunning landscapes, perfectly blending two of the country's most famous trails.
5-Day Laugavegur Trek in Huts
The popular Laugavegur hiking route from the Landmannalaugar region to the Þórsmörk area is a 56-kilometre (35-mile) multi-day hike that attracts backpackers and hikers worldwide. If you’re coming to Iceland to hike just one trail, this is the one. Its popularity stems from various landscapes: bubbling hot springs, vast glaciers, beautiful mountains, stunning waterfalls, and roaring rivers.
4-Day Thórsmörk guided hikes in Huts
Enjoy the journey of a lifetime on this fantastic hiking experience in the glacier valley of Þórsmörk, up to the Fimmvörðuháls pass. This is one of the world’s best treks; through volcanic landscapes and green moss Þórsmörk is the last part of the famous Laugavegur trail, considered by many the most beautiful part. Expect to walk 4-7 hours per day on this guided 4-day tour with accommodation in rustic mountain huts. It’s a moderate to challenging hike that spans 40 kilometres with a maximum ascent of 1000 metres.
ÞÓRSMÖRK - VALLEY OF THOR SUPER JEEP TOUR
Join an extraordinary adventure through Iceland's rugged landscapes with our exclusive Þórsmörk Super Jeep Tour. Explore the Valley of Thor in style, led by expert guides who know every inch of this stunning terrain.
Day Hike over Fimmvörðuháls
Want to experience a slice of the highlands but don’t have the time for a multi-day hike? Book this guided day tour over the spectacular Fimmvörðuháls pass! A professionally trained guide will lead you on this trail, named one of the Best Hikes in the World by National Geographic. Expect a demanding 10-hour hike where you will see fantastic glacier views, volcanic craters, vast canyons and impressive waterfalls. The 22-kilometre hike is available July-August; participants must be at least 12 years old and up for a challenging hike.
Discovering Þórsmörk on Foot
In Norse mythology, it is said that This was the place where Thor’s hammer, Mjölnir, struck the earth, and the great valley that cuts through the landscape was created. Hence, the area is called Þórsmörk or “Thor’s Valley” in English.
The wild Krossá River winds like a ribbon through the valley, and the Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull glaciers surround it. During the famous 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, Þórsmörk was covered in a thick layer of volcanic ash, which took a long time to clear.
These days, Þórsmörk is known as a hiker’s paradise where rugged trails meander across the breathtaking landscape and into the undiscovered interior of the island.
Getting to Þórsmörk
Þórsmörk becomes inaccessible to most during winter due to snowfall on the rugged, river-washed, unpaved F-roads, preventing even 4x4s from passing.
During summer, navigating to Þórsmörk demands a sturdy 4x4, primarily due to the iconic river crossing where adventurers ford the Krossá River to access this breathtaking destination.
Smaller 4X4 cars won’t manage the crossing, so if you want to drive to Thorsmörk by yourself, make sure to rent a large vehicle.
Those hiring a 4x4 and driving themselves from Reykjavík can follow the Route One main ring road that loops around the island out of the city. At Hvolsvöllur, you join the narrow 261 road, which becomes the f-261 as it leads into Þórsmörk.
F-roads are unpaved tracks that can be difficult to navigate without experience. For this reason, one of the most popular ways to reach Þórsmörk is by the highland bus. The Þórsmörk bus leaves daily from Reykjavík during the hiking season (summer) and is equipped to deal with the narrow, unpaved mountain roads and river fords along the way.
Of course, it is also possible to reach Þórsmörk on foot from either Skógar or Landmannalaugar via the long-distance hiking trails through the interior of the island.
The best option to get to Thórsmörk is by the Highland Bus. Most travellers opt for scheduled bus services that operate from Reykjavik and other towns in the summer. Another option is joining a guided tour that often includes transportation.
What to see and do at Þórsmörk
The primary allure of the Þórsmörk area is its rich array of hiking trails and opportunities. Looking at a Þórsmörk map, you can see trails snaking across the other-worldly landscape, heading into the empty Icelandic highlands past glaciers, lava fields and gorges.
Two of Iceland’s most popular multi-day hikes begin (or end) at Þórsmörk. The Laugavegur trail is considered one of the top hiking trails in the world and is the most popular long-distance walking route in Iceland. It runs from Þórsmörk to the ethereal rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar, covering 55 kilometres (36 miles) of ascents, descents and challenging terrain. Most people spend two or three days on this trail from Þórsmörk, staying in mountain cabins along the way.
A popular route, it is important to book your mountain cabin accommodation well in advance if you are not joining a guided hike. On a guided hike along the Laugavegur trail, all your overnight accommodation and even transport to Þórsmörk will be taken care of.
The Fimmvörðuháls trail runs from Þórsmörk to Skógar over 25 kilometres (15 miles) and is also sometimes known as the “Þórsmörk volcano hike”. Covering the area between Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, it shows off some of south Iceland’s most dramatic scenery – volcanoes and glaciers topping towering mountains. Experienced hikers may tackle this trail in a single day, but most people like to slow down and spend two days admiring the scenery.
If you’d rather stay within the area, there are a couple of curricular day hikes around Þórsmörk. The Valahnúkur trail starts and ends from the volcano huts and is a short, uphill hike taking one and a half to two hours and rewarding walkers with beautiful views of the valley from on high. The Tindfjöll Circle hike is a bit longer, taking most of the day to complete, and runs through the Tindfjöll gorge, Slyppugil Valley, and past the Tröllakirkja mountain. It ends with a guidebook-worthy view of the Þórsmörk valley.
You’ll find a scattering of accommodations in Þórsmörk, mountain huts, glamping tents and campsites. Even if long-distance hiking isn’t your thing, some people book a cabin or glamping out in the wilderness to simply spend time in a remote and beautiful part of the world.
Some people visit Þórsmörk for a self-drive adventure, fording rivers and bumping over the rugged terrain in a 4x4. This is only possible in summer as snowfall in the winter months makes the small F-roads around Þórsmörk inaccessible, even for 4x4s.
Attractions and sights near Þórsmörk
Thorsmörk is surrounded by landmarks that tell tales of both the fiery and icy temperament of Iceland. Starting with the Gígjökull Glacier, this offshoot of the notorious Eyjafjallajökull is more than just ice; it's a testament to nature's grandeur.
Not far from here, the Tindfjöll mountains pierce the sky, standing as silent sentinels overlooking the region. As you tread softly on the Laugavegur trail, the ever-changing landscapes of Iceland unfold, a preamble to the adrenaline-pumping route of the Fimmvörðuháls trail that weaves between glaciers.
The famed Eyjafjallajökull isn't just known for its glacier, but also the volcano beneath, a sleeping giant that stirred dramatically in 2010. Echoes of this eruption can be seen in the Móði and Magni craters, stark reminders of nature's raw power. Amidst these towering giants, the Stakkholtsgjá canyon cuts deep, its steep walls and riverbed cradling tales of old.
As you descend into the embrace of the Húsadalur valley, nature's softer side is evident in the verdant expanses. For those seeking respite, the hidden Seljavallalaug mountain pool, nestled between rolling hills, offers solace in its warm embrace. Concluding this journey, Þakgil Canyon awaits its unique rock shelters and formations beckoning travelers to explore its depths.
All About Þórsmörk
The ideal time to visit Þórsmörk is during the summer months. In this season, the days are longer, with daylight stretching well into the evening, providing ample time to explore the hiking trails. Additionally, summer offers the most favourable weather for hiking, with warmer temperatures and a reduced likelihood of rain. In contrast, during winter, the narrow f-road leading to Þórsmörk can become impassable due to heavy snowfall. As a result, popular hiking trails such as Laugavegur and Fimmvörduháls are closed.
However, for those keen to experience Þórsmörk's winter wonderland, specialized "Superjeep" tours operate in this region. These vehicles are giant, robust, and specifically designed for this challenging terrain, and they are driven by professionals holding special licenses to navigate these conditions.
No, wild camping is not permitted in Thorsmörk. However, the area boasts plenty of campsites and mountain huts for visitors. It's essential to prepare in advance and align your plans with available accommodation options.
The time it takes to hike in Thorsmork largely depends on the chosen trail and your pace. There are routes ranging from a few hours to multi-day treks. Always consider your experience level and consult trail maps and local advice or guidance.
To reach Thorsmork, most travellers opt for scheduled bus services the so-called Highland Bus, that operates daily from Reykjavik and other towns in the summer. Another option is joining a guided tour that often includes transportation. Driving to Thorsmörk is not recommended because it involves river crossings, and rental companies often don't provide insurance coverage for damages resulting from river crossings.
Yes, you can drive to Thorsmork, but only from late June to early September. It's recommended only for experienced drivers with a suitable (especially large) 4x4 vehicle due to river crossings and rough roads. Please note that Driving to Thorsmörk is not recommended because it involves river crossings, and rental companies often don't provide insurance coverage for damages resulting from river crossings. The safest option is the Highland Bus, a scheduled bus service that operates from Reykjavik and other towns in the summer.