Thorsmork Valley Trek

Pick-up in Reykjavik begins at 08:30 from your hotel or designated bus stop. We drive from the South Coast into the Highlands towards Landmannalaugar, stopping at Hjalparfoss, Sigöldugljufur and the volcanic crater lakes at Hnausapollur and Frostastaðahals, with striking lava fields and colourful landscapes along the way. We expect to arrive around 13:00, when lunch is provided.

After lunch we set out on a warm‑up hike across the Laugahraun lava field to the summit of Blafell – about 10 km return with 420 m of ascent and descent – a fine introduction to the Highlands’ wide views. We then unwind in Landmannalaugar’s natural geothermal pool before regrouping for dinner.

We stay in the Landmannalaugar mountain hut in shared sleeping bag accommodation with drinking water and flushing toilets. Hot showers are available for an additional ISK 1,100/€8 per shower, and there is a small shop where you can buy coffee, tea, soft drinks and snacks. A professional guide leads the day, your main luggage is transported for you, and today includes the road journey to Landmannalaugar, a packed lunch, dinner and facility and campsite fees.

We start the day with breakfast, during which we prepare a lunch pack and snacks for the trail. You carry a day pack with food, water and extra clothing – all other luggage is transferred by 4x4 to the next campsite.

Our trek leads through the Laugahraun lava field towards Brennisteinsalda, passing steaming vents, bubbling hot springs, rugged lava and colourful mountains. We continue up to Hrafntinnusker at 1,100 metres above sea level – a high plateau known for its obsidian and wide views over the volcanic landscape and nearby glaciers. There is a dry toilet at Hrafntinnusker.

From here we descend to Lake Álftavatn, situated roughly halfway along the route between Landmannalaugar and our overnight stop. There is one river crossing on this stage – you will need river wading shoes.

At Lake Álftavatn we stay in a mountain hut in shared sleeping bag accommodation, with water toilets and drinkable water. Hot showers are available for 1,100 ISK or 8 EUR per shower – not included. Distance today is 24 km – ascent 900 m – descent 1,050 m. Included today are breakfast, a lunch pack with snacks, dinner, accommodation in the hut, transport of luggage by 4x4, a professional guide and the facility fee.

Day 3 begins with breakfast and time to prepare your lunch and snacks for the trail. We set off from Lake Álftavatn, following a route that opens up new scenery as we cross the black sands of Maelifellssandur. Green hills frame the horizon and we enjoy broad views towards Mýrdalsjökull – with the Katla volcano lying beneath – and viewpoints over the Markarfljotsgljufur canyon. Our main bags travel separately by 4x4, so we carry only daypacks.

We reach Emstrur in the afternoon and settle into the mountain hut before dinner. Afterwards, we take a short evening walk to a nearby canyon. Facilities at Emstrur include shared hut accommodation, water toilets and drinking water; hot showers are available for a fee of 1,100 ISK / 8 EUR – not included. Distance today is 15 km with approximately 200 metres of ascent and 300 metres of descent. Included today are breakfast, a lunch pack, dinner, accommodation in the hut, luggage transport, a professional guide and the facility fee.

After breakfast, we prepare our day gear and set off from Emstrur towards the Þorsmörk valley. The route traces striking volcanic terrain before descending into a sheltered landscape of birch woods and glacier‑shaped mountains – a scenic finale to this stage of the trek.

We stay tonight at the Basar cabin in dormitory accommodation – a spacious hut with cooking facilities and a communal area for dinner and downtime. Facilities include water toilets, electricity and drinkable water, and hot showers are included. Today’s walk covers roughly 15 km with about 300 m of ascent and 600 m of descent. Your main luggage is transported, so you only carry what you need for the day.

Included today: breakfast, a packed lunch for the trail, dinner, shared hut accommodation, transport of luggage, a professional guide and the facility fee.

We wake in the birch forest at Basar in the Þorsmörk valley. After breakfast, we set out for a hike to one of the surrounding peaks, gaining panoramic views of Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull and the valleys and mountains of Þorsmörk. We return to the hut for lunch.

In the afternoon, we travel by 4x4 truck to the main road and continue to Reykjavik, with hotel drop–off expected around 17:00–18:00. On the way back, you can opt for a hike in Stakkholtsgja canyon, and we make a sightseeing stop at Seljalandsfoss. Breakfast, lunch, a professional guide and 4x4 transport to Reykjavik are included.