Skogar – Thorsmork, Iceland, 2000

Distance :  23 km approx.

Avg.Time :  8 – 10 hours

Start / Finish :

• Skogar – Thorsmork
• Both trailheads are serviced by regular public transport.  See NAT – Nordic Adventure Travel for bus timetables.
• It is 3 hours by bus from Reykjavik to Skogar and 3.5 hrs from the capital to Thorsmork.

Season :  June – September

Maps / Info :

• Landmaelingar Islands 1:100,000 Thorsmork / Landmannalauger.
• Lonely Planet’s Iceland guidebook contains a general overview of the hike.
• All supplies must be bought in advance. If starting in Skogar, the nearest supermarket is in the town of Vik, 30 minutes away by bus.
• Before starting your hike, set aside an hour or two to check out the fascinating Skogar Folk Museum.

Route / Conditions :

• An extraordinary hike which starts by the coast, climbs steadily past a series of spectacular cascades and eventually tops out at the snow-covered Fimmvorduhalsf pass (1100m).
• Inclement weather is common. Bring a fleece and good wet weather gear. Double check the forecast before setting out.
• If conditions turn nasty, you can take shelter in the mountain hut at Fimmvorduhalsf pass, where it is also possible to overnight if space is available (Note: Best to check in advance, as it is often booked out by tour groups).

Sleeping :

• Although this walk is often done as a day hike, I would recommend taking your own shelter and camping close to one of the waterfalls. Alternatively, there are indoor accommodation options in Thorsmork. Click on www.thorsmork.is for details.

Overview :

• This may well be the greatest “waterfall” hike in the entire world! I kid you not, if you consider yourself a waterfall aficionado, this is the hike for you. If you have the time and/or inclination, I recommend continuing on from Thorsmork to Landmannalaugar, for a fantastic 3 – 5 day hike.