Skogar to Thorsmork Hike in Iceland: Complete Guide to the Fimmvorduhals Hike

Curious about the Skogar to Thorsmork Hike in Iceland?

Iceland, or the land of fire and ice, is one of the most incredible destinations for those seeking beautiful landscapes and outdoor adventures. What makes Iceland unique is its diverse landscape, and on the Skogar to Thorsmork hike you can see it all.

Iceland is a volcanic island with geothermal hot springs, glaciers, dark volcanic rock and incredible waterfalls. The Fimmvörðuháls Hike is arguably one of the best day hikes in Iceland, and features all those natural elements in one excursion.

However, this hike does require thorough preparation. In this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step of the trail, when is the best time to go, what you need to pack, and most importantly how to get back to the starting trailhead. It’s a bit complicated, but totally worth it!

Planning your trip? Use my favorite resources:

• Accommodations: booking.com
• Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
• Tours & Excursions: Viator
• Flights: Skyscanner
• City Pass: Go City

Skogar to Thorsmork Hike: A Step-by-Step Guide 

To complete the Fimmvörðuháls hike, it is important to do a little bit of homework ahead of time. But don’t worry, we’ll go into all the essential information you need to be prepared for this adventure! 

Where is Thorsmork and What is it Like? 

Thorsmork is located in the highlands in the Southern part of Iceland, nestled between the majestic glaciers of Tindfjallajökull and Eyjafjallajökull. Named after the Norse god Thor, Thorsmork is a paradise for hikers. 

Two of the most popular trails in Thorsmork include the Fimmvörðuháls and the Laugavegur routes. Fimmvörðuháls is a 30km day hike taking you from the iconic Skogar waterfall deep into the valley of Thorsmork. The Laugavegur route is a 55km multi-day trek through the vibrant geothermal area of Landmanalaugar.   

By hiking through Thorsmork, you will have the opportunity to see countless waterfalls, surrounded by jet-black volcanic rocks covered with vibrant green moss. You’ll then go high up into the snowy peak of the volcano, and end in the multi-coloured geothermal valley. 

When is the best time to go on a Thorsmork Hike? 

To do the hike in Thorsmork, it is very important to choose the right time since the road to get back to the trailhead may be inaccessible at times.

In Iceland, from October to the end of April, the road is covered in snow making it impassable. Therefore the best time to do the hike is during the summer or early Southadventure. The service runs from June 1st until September 15th. Since the return trip requires this transport, the best time to do the hike needs to coincide with their service schedule. 

NOTE: There are 3 departure times with South adventure transport. However, if you are starting the hike in Skogafoss like we did, only the evening 20:30 bus has a stop back at Skogafoss. This should be okay though since the hike takes most of the day so a 20:30 return time is reasonable.   

Another factor to consider is that the Fimmvörðuháls hike goes high up into the mountains, so the trails may be covered in snow. Make sure to check the weather conditions when you are there as well as communicate with the local hiking guides once you arrive in Iceland. 

Once we were in Reykjavik, we inquired with the local tourist information guides and they were able to let me know the snow conditions at the top. At times, there may be significant snowfall, making the trail too difficult to hike at the top.

We went in mid-June and had about 2 feet of snow which was manageable. Again, for that reason, I would strongly recommend tackling the hike from mid-June to mid-September.  

Along the Fimmvorduhals Trail

On the Fimmvörðuháls, you will experience many different landscapes: starting from the trailhead at Skogar waterfall and ending in Thorsmork. Below we will give a breakdown of what you should expect. 

Skoga River and Lush Valleys

In the first section of the hike, you will witness some of the most beautiful landscapes Iceland has to offer. Starting from Skogafoss, you will first climb the stairs to reach the top of the falls and then for 8km, walk along the Skoga River. 

Here, you will see not only the lush green valleys contrasted with the jet-black volcanic rock, but also countless waterfalls and streams. In fact, around every corner you will see something totally different and equally fascinating. 

Out in the distance, you will hear the clanging of the sheep bells and, if you’re lucky, you may even witness some mountain goats. With the backdrop of the ice caps, this is certainly one of the most impressive parts of the hike.

This section is a gradual upward slope but nothing too strenuous. Make sure to savor every bit of these views because the next section becomes a lot more barren.  

Volcanic Rocks

This section of the hike begins once you cross the bridge over the Skogar River. The bridge is a metal frame with wooden planks and makes for an exhilarating journey over the rushing waters of the river below. 

Once you cross over, the next section is around 5 km long and starkly different from the landscape before it. From here, you will be trekking through volcanic terrain with ash and loose rocks. 

No more lush green pastures. 

The pathways are on loose gravel and will be clearly marked. The objective in this section is to reach the Baldvinsskáli Hut, a perfect pitstop after 13 km of hiking. 

We spent around 20 minutes resting in the hut and refueling with some snacks. There are tables, benches and a bathroom in the hut but no running water.

It is also possible to stay here overnight but you will be required to bring up all your own food and sleeping materials. See here to learn more about the huts and to make an overnight reservation.

At this point in the hike, the temperature drops making it a lot cooler. Due to the altitude and being so close to surrounding glaciers, the weather can change very dramatically. 

We were lucky to have had clear weather, but heard of another couple who went in July and got caught in a snowstorm. So make sure to be prepared for a variety of weather conditions.  

Snowy Peak Between Glaciers

In this next section, you will be hiking through the snowy peak between the two glaciers of EYJAFJALLAJÖKULL and MÝRDALSJÖKULL. This section is one of the hardest to cross due to the potential for snow accumulation. 

When we were there in mid-June, there was about 2 feet of snow. Although it doesn’t sound like much, having every footstep plummet into snow surely slows down your pace!

Another factor that made this section more difficult was the difficulty of getting oriented on the trail. There are 6-foot-long wooden and plastic poles that indicate where the hiking trail is; however, the snow at times can cover these markers. 

There were several times when we had to stop and survey the entire area to make sure we could find the next peg before continuing forward. 

With all that said, this part of the hike is also incredibly beautiful. Being between the two glaciers, with pure white snow all around you, is truly mesmerizing. 

Once you are past the snowy patch you will be hiking up the Fimmvörðuháls Pass. This section is uphill on volcanic soil so it can be relatively strenuous but not too long. Once you reach the peak, it’s mostly downhill. 

Godaland and Thorsmork

Once you reach the peak of Fimmvörðuháls Pass, you will get your first glimpse of Godaland and the valley of Thor. Words cannot describe how beautiful and grandiose this area is. 

From up top, you can see the green valleys cut through by countless river streams, and crescent peaks colored golden-orange by geothermal activity. From Fimmvörðuháls Pass, the entire valley opens up and you will be descending the entire way with this magnificent view in front of you. 

This section is mostly downhill, though there are some tough sections with high exposures. In one area, you will need to hold onto a cord to descend a steep slope. 

Then, in the renowned Cat’s Spine Ridge (Kattarhyggir), you will need to cross a narrow ridge with vertical drops on both sides. We did not feel like this section was too difficult but make sure to go slowly and try to keep your knees slightly bent for better balance. 

The difficulty of this section also depends on the weather conditions. If it is foggy and rainy, then the terrain will be more slippery. Be sure to be wearing a good waterproof jacket and hiking boots with proper grip. 

In total, this section is approximately 6 km long. After a few of those more exposed ridges, the rest is fairly easy. Make sure to take several breaks and admire the incredible landscapes along the way.

As you descend, you will be within the valleys so it will be a completely different experience than when you were at the top of Fimmvörðuháls Pass. 

Arrival in Thorsmork

This is the final short leg of the hike before arriving at Básar, the first base camp of Thorsmork. It will be from here that you take the amphibious bus back to the trailhead. 

After coming out of the descent, you will arrive at the flat with a fork in the road. Head right and walk for around 20 minutes and you will reach the hut where the bus departs. Make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early to make sure you don’t miss the bus.  

Where to Stay When Hiking the Fimmvorduhals Trail

For your Fimmvörðuháls hike, you will need to find an accommodation close to the starting point of the hike, in Skogar:

✅ Budget: Guesthous Kverna

One of the most budget-friendly options is actually also the most convenient! At Guesthouse Kverna, they have 14 available rooms and offer many conveniences including free breakfast, free parking and free wifi all at an affordable price. 

The greatest advantage of staying at Guesthouse Kverna is that it is located right next to the Skogar waterfall. This is ideal as you will be only a few minutes from your hotel once you return from your Thorsmork hike. 

👉 Click here to check availability at Guesthouse Kverna

✅ Mid-Range: Hotel Búrfell

Hotel Búrfell is a quaint little farm guest house located in the beautiful countryside of Vik. It’s a family-run hotel with about 20 rooms.

They serve a delicious breakfast, and you can easily enjoy the surrounding natural landscapes right from your hotel window. It’s also only about a 17-minute drive from Skogar and other main attractions like the black sand beach. 

👉 Click here to check availability at Hotel Búrfell

✅ Luxury: Skálakot Manor Hotel

Skálakot Manor Hotel is a 4 star hotel located in the town of Skálakot and boasting a full-service as well as free breakfast. They have 14 boutique rooms decorated in art deco style, which is sure to evoke feelings of luxury and relaxation. 

On their stunning farm property, they also breed Icelandic horses, giving you perfect access to see these beautiful animals. They have a full, fine-dining restaurant on site. And, Skälakot is located only a 15-minute drive from Skogar.  

👉 Click here to book your stay at Skálakot Manor Hotel

Logistics of the Skogar to Thorsmork Hike 

Here is some important information to help you figure out how to plan for the Fimmvörðuháls hike.

Recommended Route for the Fimmvörðuháls Hike

The ideal approach is to rent a car, drive yourself to the trailhead at Skogar and leave the car there. Then, complete the hike, arriving in Thorsmork. From there, take the amphibious bus back to Skogar. And from there, pick up your car and drive back to your hotel. 

Alternative approaches include leaving your car in Hella or Hvolsvöllur, but that would then require taking a taxi to the trailhead in the morning. 

There are also buses that leave from Reykjavik that can bring you to Skogar, but this would make it far too long of a day. You are also then unlikely to have enough time to do the whole hike and make it back in time to catch the final return on the amphibious bus.  

How to get to Skogar? 

To get to Skogar, we recommend renting a car. There are not many buses available in Iceland so unless you are taking a fully organized tour, then a rental car is the best option. Skogar is located in Southern Iceland right by the Ring Road. 

It is possible to take a taxi to reach Skogar but, as explained, logistically it would be complicated. 

Can you drive to Thorsmork? 

To get to Thorsmork, you have to have a true 4 x 4, as you need to cross over several rivers and there have been many stories of cars getting stuck in the water. 

How to get back to the trailhead at Skogar

There are several buses that depart from Thorsmork and usually make stops at Seljalandsfoss, Hvolsvöllur, Hella, Selfoss, Reykjavik and only sometimes Skogar. If you have a rental car, which we highly recommend, you will likely start your hike from Skogar waterfall (Skogafoss). 

It is important to plan ahead of time which method of transportation can bring you back to your rental car in Skogar. 

Fortunately, the transport service offered by South Adventure is one of the few companies whose bus does pass back through Skogar. However, as of the date of writing, out of their 3 departure times, only their 20:30 bus stops at Skogar.

This should not be too much of an issue as the hike takes most of the day to do. Just make sure to plan your departure time according to your hiking speed.

NOTE: We ended up leaving an hour later than planned in the morning and, in order to make sure that we made the 20:30 departure, we had to run the entire way after Fimmvörðuháls Pass. Don’t make the same mistake as us!     

If you don’t have a rental car, then it becomes more complicated as you will likely need to take a mix of taxis and buses to get back. 

If you stay in the town of Hvolsvöllur, it is possible to take a taxi to the trailhead at Skogar, and then arrange a transport with South Adventure or TREX to bring you back to Hvolsvöllur. Another possible departure town is Hella, but it is further than Hvolsvöllur.

Given that this hike can take around 10 hours, it’s best to have a rental car and begin from Skogar.  

Preparations: What to Pack for a Thorsmork Hike

Given the mountainous weather surrounding the Thorsmork hike, it is crucial to be well prepared for all conditions. It is not unusual to experience sunny conditions in one moment, then rain, then a snowstorm, all within the same day. We recommend packing the following:

• Waterproof jacket: This is essential. When we went in June, we experienced rain at the beginning of the hike, but then later on it cleared up. Without our rain jackets, we would have been soaked and the rest of the hike would’ve been miserable. 
• Hiking boots/shoes: You will be trekking through pastures, volcanic rocks, ash, crossing streams and balancing on ridges. It is very important to have comfortable, sturdy, waterproof hiking boots. 
• Hiking poles: To help reduce the strain on your legs, as well as ensure improved balance, bring along hiking poles. This is especially useful when descending into the valley of Thor where there may be narrow ridges.
• Cellphone with Alltrails App: In order to ensure you are hiking along the proper trail, you can use the Alltrails app. There is a pre-mapped route of the Fimmvörðuháls trail and you can follow along with your GPS location. 
• Water bottle: Staying hydrated is very important. Having a water bottle ensures that you always have quick access to your water.
• Multiple layers of clothing: Given that the weather conditions change drastically, it is important to dress in layers. Ideally, you would have a waterproof layer, an insulating layer like a puffer, and a base layer. 
• Snacks: Given that this is a full day hike, make sure to bring snacks and a lunch to stay energized.

Additional Tips for Hiking Skogar to Thorsmork 

Here are some additional tips to make sure you have a great experience on the Skogar to Thorsmork hike.

• Pre-book your return transportation. As there is only one way to get back to your starting point, you want to make sure the bus is not fully booked. 
• Leave early. You never know what conditions you may face on the mountain. We made the mistake of leaving slightly late, and then had to run for the last 6km to make our return bus. 
• Prepare clothing for all conditions: The weather changes drastically in Iceland, so it is better to prepare more clothing options than less. 
• Make sure to use the bathroom at Skogar restaurant before starting the trail. I made the mistake of climbing up all the stairs to the top of Skogar before realizing I needed to go to the bathroom. So I had to go down all the stairs and then back up after. This wasted a lot of energy.
• When returning after the hike, it will be late. Restaurants seem to close at around 9-10pm so make sure you have food prepared at your hotel for your return. We made the mistake of not planning for this and then had literally nothing to eat until morning. 

As you can see, as you plan your trip to Iceland, there are several mistakes to avoid to ensure you have the best time!

Fimmvorduhals Hike FAQ

As you prepare for your hike, you might be wondering: 

How long does it take to hike Thorsmork? 

The distance of the hike to Thorsmork from Skogar is between 25-30 km. This should take approximately 10 hours to complete, but make sure to factor in additional time for variable weather conditions. Also, the scenery is beautiful so you will certainly take many photo stops. 

Is Thorsmork worth it? 

To this day, the Thorsmork hike is one of my favorite hikes. The scenery that you experience during this hike is otherworldly.

Also, within this single trek, you will get to witness streams, waterfalls, lush green valleys contrasted with the volcanic rock, snowy mountain peaks, glaciers and an incredible valley. This hike is definitely worth it!

How long to spend in Thorsmork?

The Fimmvörðuháls hike is normally done in one day but it is possible to stay at the mountain huts in Thorsmork and make it into a multi-day trek. It is also possible use Thorsmork as a base and take day trips in the area of Landmannalaugar 

Final Thoughts: Hiking Skogar to Thorsmork in Iceland 

The Fimmvörðuháls hike is one of the must-do hikes in Iceland. It allows you to experience all the marvels of Iceland compressed into a single trek. 

Although it does take some prior preparation, it is most definitely worth it. We hope that this article has helped you plan for your next adventure! 

About the authors: Ryan & Nan are two curious travel storytellers and adventure photographers who started WaylessTravelers to share their passion for travel planning and photography with the world. Having explored over 23 countries across the globe, they seek to help others organize their next adventure.