Exciting 4-Day Guided Hiking Tour to Thorsmork Valley with Mountain Huts
Description
Summary
Description
Discover the most breathtaking sights and landscapes of the Icelandic Highlands on this four-day guided hiking tour to the Thorsmork Nature Reserve. If you want to explore mountains, rivers, valleys, and volcanoes under the shadow of mighty glaciers, this small-group tour is the perfect adventure to book.
Your multi-day hike in Iceland begins with a bus transfer from the BSI bus terminal at central Reykjavik to Thorsmork in South Iceland. The ride takes two to three hours, passing through towns like Selfoss, Hella, and Hvolsvollur.
The bus will drop you off at the Basar mountain hut in the Thorsmork Nature Reserve, where you’ll sleep for three nights. The hut has a kitchen, dining hall, limited electricity, and dormitory-type rooms. There are also shower facilities that you can use for a cheap fee.
For the next four days, your small group will be in the capable hands of an experienced hiking guide. They will keep you safe while sharing insights about the views and attractions you’ll see on the hiking trail. They will also provide your meals for the entire tour.
On your part in preparing for the trek, ensure to bring your personal hiking gear, including thermal layers, a weatherproof jacket, sturdy hiking boots, toiletries, and a water bottle. A sleeping bag is also recommended to make your sleep each night more comfortable.
The Thorsmork Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful locations in the land of fire and ice. It has everything nature lovers want, from towering peaks, mighty ice caps, breathtaking valleys, and vibrant birch forests.
In addition, there are fewer tourists to bump into here because of its remoteness. It’s perfect for adventurers who also enjoy the peace and quiet that nature brings.
The hike covers roughly 25 miles (40 kilometers) of trail with a maximum ascent of 3280 feet (1000 meters). Each day, you’ll walk for approximately four to seven hours, depending on the group’s pace and weather conditions.
The most remarkable sites you’ll traverse are the Fimmvorduhals pass, Magni and Modi craters, Hvannargil canyon, Godaland, and Valahnukur mountain.
Fimmvorduhals, in particular, is a world-famous mountain pass with panoramic views of the Icelandic Highlands. Meanwhile, Magni and Modi are twin craters created by the infamous eruption of Eyjafjallajokull in 2010.
For more days of the adventure, your group will be in the shadow of three glaciers surrounding Thorsmork. If the days are clear, you’ll see the ice-capped mountains of the Eyjafjallajokull, Myrdalsjokull, and Tindfjallajokull glaciers looming on the horizon.
After four days of exploring the highlights of Thorsmork, you’ll hop on the Highlands bus back to the Icelandic capital, marking the end of this tour.
Don’t miss this unforgettable chance to see the diverse landscapes of the Thorsmork valley with the help of a knowledgeable hiking guide. Check availability now by choosing a date.
Included
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - Reykjavik to Thorsmork Valley
Day one of your four-day hiking trip begins in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. You'll board the Highlands bus at the BSI bus terminal bound for the Thorsmork Nature Reserve.
On your way to Thorsmork, the bus will take you to a scenic drive in the country's southern region. As you travel through the countryside, the anticipation of what lies ahead in Thorsmork fills the air with excitement.
You'll see mountains, waterfalls, lush valleys, and other natural features while passing through towns like Selfoss and Hvolsvollur. The bus ride will take around two to three hours.
The bus will drop you off at the Basar campsite, 98 miles (157 kilometers) from Reykjavik. Basar's mountain hut will serve as your accommodation for the next three nights. It has a dormitory-style structure with a kitchen, dining hall, sleeping quarters, and shower areas.
After lunch, your hiking journey in Thorsmork begins. For this day, the group will traverse three to five miles (five to eight kilometers) of trail with active walking of three to four hours.
The path leads you to the mystical Alfakirkja, a captivating rock formation with a small cave. The landscape is sometimes called the church of Elves, with local tales of folklore and mystery that your guide will talk about.
Continuing the adventure, you'll have the option to venture into the breathtaking Hvannagil valley, where green slopes and cascading streams create picture-perfect scenery. Thorsmork has many beautiful valleys, and Hvannargil is one of the most picturesque.
Alternatively, you may ascend to Mount Rettarfell to gain panoramic vistas of Thorsmork's rugged terrain and the distant peaks beyond.
As the day draws to a close, you'll hike back to Basar hut, where you'll help your guide prepare dinner. All meals during the hike are included in the tour price.
You can spend a few hours socializing with other hikers before enjoying a night's sleep in the dormitory.
Day 2 - Thorsmork to Fimmvorduhals Pass
Day two of this Thorsmork multi-day hiking tour promises an exhilarating journey through more of the Highlands of Iceland's captivating landscapes. Your group will cover 11 miles (18 kilometers) of the trail, a maximum elevation of 3280 feet (1000 meters), and a trekking time of roughly seven hours, depending on the group's pace.
The day begins with a delicious breakfast, which the guide prepared with your assistance. You'll enjoy this meal while enjoying the stunning vistas around the mountain hut.
Setting out from Basar hut, you'll ascend the hills that lead to the renowned pass of Fimmvorduhals. Fimmvorduhals is a scenic mountain pass located between the Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers.
Along the way, the guide will lead you through the rugged terrain of Kattarhryggir ridges, treated to panoramic vistas of the imposing Utigonguhofdi mountain and the vast Morinsheidi heath stretching into the distance.
As the trail winds higher above Morinsheidi, you'll be greeted by the remnants of a lava stream that cascaded down from the Fimmvorduhals pass during the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano.
The contrast between the dark, jagged lava formations and the surrounding snow-capped peaks is a stark reminder of Iceland's volcanic origins and ever-changing landscapes.
Continuing your ascent, the volcanic craters of Magni and Modi come into view, born from the same volcanic eruption that sculpted the surrounding terrain in 2010. These two are considered some of the youngest craters existing in Iceland.
Before the day ends, you'll begin the descent back towards Thorsmork. With each step in the wilderness, you can enjoy breathtaking views of glaciers and the verdant valleys below. Make sure to take some photos because only a few people have ventured to these areas.
Back at the hut accommodation, you'll enjoy a simple dinner before retiring for the night under the midnight sun.
Day 3 - More of Thorsmork and Tindfjoll Hiking Circle
On day three of your Highlands hike, you'll prepare and enjoy an energizing breakfast with your guide and the rest of the group before leaving the hut.
Setting out from Basar hut, panoramic views over Godaland will welcome you. This area offers glimpses of the region's wilderness with its ravines, rivers, glacier views, and birchwoods.
The journey continues by crossing the Krossa river via sturdy footbridges, leading travelers into the enchanting Slyppugil valley. The river crossing in itself is a thrilling experience that you can only experience in the Highlands or the countryside.
Meanwhile, the Slyppugil is a small valley with stunning cliffs and meandering rivers carving through around it. Hikers can explore its winding pathways to discover unique geological formations and witness Iceland's natural history firsthand.
Here, amidst the rugged terrain, lies the Tindfjallagil gorge, a geological marvel carved by glacial activity. It's one of the highlights of the Thorsmork's Tindfjoll Circle.
Within the depths of Tindfjallagil, your group will encounter a unique rock formation known as Trollakirkja, or the church of trolls. Carved by centuries of erosion, this natural archway shelters a small cave beneath its stone arches.
At the rock formation, your group can stop for a quick rest while enjoying the surrounding landscapes and taking photos.
As you continue along the trail, you can immerse yourself deeper into the wilderness of the Highlands region. The ever-changing vistas of snow-capped peaks, hidden waterfalls, lush green valleys, and magnificent canyons will excite you.
Returning to your hut in the Basar campground, the Krossa river system will serve as your map. Feel free to ask your guide if you see anything of interest along the way.
Back at the mountain hut, the group will enjoy a well-deserved feast with a barbecue. This is your last night in the area, so a more special meal and socialization with other travelers can be great before you sleep.
This day's hike covers 10 to 11 miles (16 to 18 kilometers) of trail for up to seven hours of active trekking.
Day 4 - Thorsmork Valley to Reykjavik
Today is the last day of your multi-day hike in Thorsmork. Unlike the previous days, the group will have a shorter trail to traverse now, covering 3 to 6 miles (5 to 10 kilometers) depending on the landscapes you want to see.
Before leaving the mountain hut, take advantage of the lush valley and stunning scenery surrounding you. This is your last day in Thorsmork, so take as many photos as possible to commemorate the experience.
The diverse landscapes of Thorsmork offer many options for a few hours of exploration. As a nature reserve, there are various mountains to hike, rivers to cross, and green valleys to admire.
One of the most popular options is to hike to the summit of the Valahnukur mountain, peaking at 1503 feet (458 meters). Travelers consider Valahnukur a must-see destination in Thorsmork because it provides the best vantage point of the nature reserve, the distant glaciers, the Highlands, and even the South Coast.
Another highlight of Thorsmork is the Songhellir cave, also known as the “Song cave.” This cave was named after the unique acoustics you can experience inside its walls. It’s also near one of the rich birch woodlands in the nature reserve.
Whatever you choose, the guide will enrich your experience with more facts and folklore about Thorsmork. You’ll learn about the Norse mythology associated with this hiking destination’s name, originating from the God of Thunder. Feel free to ask questions if you want to learn more about its history and geology.
After spending the morning exploring the Thorsmork valley, you’ll enjoy a quick lunch before boarding the bus back to Reykjavik. The Highland bus will be waiting at the Langidalur valley near your Basar hut, where you stayed for the past three nights.
The journey back to the capital will let you enjoy South Iceland and its towns from a different light.
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