Epic Travel → Europe → Iceland → Southern Iceland → Thórsmörk

Location: Thórsmörk, Southern Iceland

Time Required: 4 hours – several days

Red Tape/Notes: Requires river crossings to get into the valley, not recommended without a high clearance 4-wheel drive, although the road is sometimes passable around September and October in standard 4-wheel drive rental vehicles (we did it in our Dacia Duster in late September). The road is generally only passable for Super Jeeps from late October to the end of April; we had a great time watching multiple Dacia Dusters get stuck in the river at the first crossing when we were there in March. Watching our Super Jeep pull one of them out was a highlight of our trip, but it probably wasn’t a highlight of theirs. Don’t make the same mistake.

What’s Nearby?: Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Merkurker, Gígjökull, Stakkholtsgjá, Fimmvörðuháls, Mossy Lava Rocks

Thórsmörk is a fascinating Nature Reserve composed of a valley and mountain range set amidst a number of glaciers and volcanoes. The black sand valley floor is cut through by rivers powered by glacial melt and there are various lush areas and pretty side canyons, with a fabulous backdrop of imposing mountains. Two of Iceland’s most popular hikes originate (or end, depending on which direction you’re hiking) here – Fimmvörðuháls and Laugavegur. We did a portion of the Fimmvörðuháls hike and loved it – we’re planning to come back in the summer to do the full route. But even if you only hang out in the valley, it’s a beautiful way to spend an afternoon.

Epic Travel → Europe → Iceland → Southern Iceland → Thórsmörk