Thorsmork: Iceland's Most Spectacular Highland Valley

Thorsmork — Thorsmörk in Icelandic, meaning Thor's Forest — is a highland valley tucked between three glaciers: Eyjafjallajokull to the south, Myrdalsjokull to the east, and the Tindfjallajokull to the north. It is one of Iceland's most beloved natural environments, an anomaly in the treeless lava-dominated landscape — the valley is sheltered enough to support birch woodland, green meadows and a diversity of plant life that feels almost impossible given the surrounding volcanic wilderness. Getting there is genuinely difficult, which is precisely why it remains one of Iceland's most rewarding destinations.

Getting to Thorsmork

Thorsmork is only accessible via F-road 249 (Thorsmerkurvegur) and requires crossing several unbridged glacial river fords. A standard 4x4 with good ground clearance is the minimum; many drivers prefer a larger super jeep. The river crossings are the critical variable — water levels rise dramatically on warm summer afternoons as glacier melt accelerates, and a crossing that is safe at 9am may be dangerous by 2pm. Visit in the morning if possible.

The F-road is open approximately mid-June to mid-September, depending on conditions each year. Check road.is before departing. Guided super jeep tours from Reykjavik are available and are the recommended option for anyone without extensive F-road driving experience.

The Laugavegur Trail Connection

Thorsmork is the finish point of the Laugavegur Trek — Iceland's most famous multi-day hiking route, connecting Landmannalaugar in the highlands to Thorsmork over 55 kilometres of extraordinary landscape. The trek typically takes 4 to 5 days, passing rhyolite mountains, geothermal hot springs, obsidian lava fields and glacial river crossings. Thorsmork to Skogar is an additional day's hiking via the Fimmvorduhals pass, giving a total of 5 to 6 days from Landmannalaugar to the South Coast at Skogafoss.

Day Hiking in Thorsmork

For visitors who drive into Thorsmork rather than hiking in, several day hikes of varying difficulty are accessible from the main valley. The hike to Valahnukar ridge provides panoramic views over all three surrounding glaciers simultaneously — on a clear day this is one of Iceland's finest viewpoints. The trail to Stakkholtsgja is a narrow slot canyon with a small waterfall at its end, carved by water through the volcanic rock — a 3-kilometre easy return walk suitable for most visitors. The hike to Rjupnafell peak (958m) is more demanding but provides extraordinary views toward Eyjafjallajokull.

Accommodation in Thorsmork

Three huts operated by Ferdalag Islands (the Icelandic Touring Association) provide basic accommodation in Thorsmork — Basar, Langidalur and Husadalur. Sleeping bag accommodation, basic kitchen facilities, and outdoor toilet facilities. These must be booked in advance. Camping is permitted in designated areas around each hut. The atmosphere in the huts on summer evenings — exhausted, happy hikers from multiple countries comparing routes — is a specific and very good kind of travellers' community experience.

Planning to drive Iceland’s famous Ring Road? Hire a car through Discover Cars — compare hundreds of rental options, find the best deals, and book with free cancellation.

Browse and book tours and activities on GetYourGuide — glacier hikes, whale watching, northern lights tours, Golden Circle day trips and hundreds more. Instant confirmation, free cancellation on most bookings.

Looking for the best car rental deals in Iceland? Compare prices from all major rental companies with Northbound — Iceland’s largest car rental comparison site. Free cancellation included.

Planning a trip to Iceland? Make sure you travel with peace of mind — SafetyWing offers flexible Nomad Insurance from $56.28/4 weeks, covering medical emergencies, trip interruptions, and adventure activities. Perfect for Iceland's unpredictable weather and remote landscapes.