This Fimmvorduhals Hiking tour takes you on one of the most beautiful hikes in the world!
Highlights
- Eyjafjallajokull Volcanic Glacier
- Myrdalsjokull Glacier
- Goðahraun lava fields
- Magni & Móði Craters
- Numerous waterfalls
- Katla
- 25km Hike
- Catspine
About Tour
If you’re seeking an unforgettable adventure in Iceland, look no further than the Fimmvorduhals Hiking Tour. This thrilling 25 km trek will take your adrenaline to new heights, offering an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. Renowned among both locals and visitors, the Fimmvorduhals Hike is a dream for many Icelanders and a must-do for any adventurous traveler.
Embark on a journey that will take you from the awe-inspiring Skogafoss waterfall in South Iceland, through a stunning landscape of volcanoes, glaciers, and lava fields, to the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve in the highlands of Iceland. Along the way, you’ll encounter numerous small and large waterfalls and navigate the challenging and rewarding Fimmvorduhals pass.
This pass is known for its difficult but exhilarating pathway, magnificent panoramic views, and intense sense of excitement. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience the ultimate thrill of conquering the Fimmvorduhals Hike, and take home unforgettable memories of your time in Iceland.
Included
- Knowledgeable and experienced hiking guide.
- Guided Fimmvorduhals Hike.
- Pick up and drop off service in Hvolsvöllur / Hella (in standard rate)
- Accommodation (in overnight rate)
- Dinner and breakfast (in overnight rate)
Available extra
- It is possible to get a pick up and drop off from Reykjavik for extra price. You can add this to your booking in the booking process on the website.
What to bring
- Hiking boots
- Comfortable warm clothing (not cotton).
- Waterproof clothes
- Snacks and water
- Packed Lunch – also possible to purchase when booking tour.
- Headwear
- Gloves.
- Dress according to weather
- Warm clothes
- Water bottle & snacks
Good to know
- Hiking distance: 25 km
- Elevation: 1000m
- Duration of hike: usually 8-10 hour but it depends on the weather and skills of the group.
- Difficulty of Hike: Challenging
- This tour is great for solo travelers as well as groups since there is no minimum passengers on this tour.
- It is possible to book this tour as a private tour for 5 people or less.
- You can choose to meet the guide at Skogafoss or get a pick up from Reykjavik, Selfoss or Hella. See availability for pick up locations in the booking engine.
Itinerary - Fimmvorduhals Hiking Route
Embark on an unforgettable journey between two glaciers and volcanoes on the Fimmvorduhals Hiking trail, where you’ll find yourself in the heart of the famous Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glacier volcanoes. Stretching between Thorsmork and Skogar, the Fimmvorduhals trail is one of Iceland’s most hiked paths, and is often tackled as an extension of the popular Laugavegur hike which ends at Thorsmork.
While some hikers opt out of the Fimmvorduhals due to its challenging terrain, it remains a thrilling and less-traveled route than Laugavegur, offering a sense of excitement and mystique. In fact, the name “Fimmvorduhals” translates to “Five Cairn Pass,” referencing the five piles of stones erected along the trail, which are believed to protect travelers from the area’s malevolent spirits. You can read more about this here below.
Whether you’re an experienced hiker seeking a challenge or a first-time adventurer looking for an extraordinary experience, the Fimmvorduhals trail promises breathtaking views and a true sense of adventure in the wild and rugged landscape of Iceland.
Fimmvorduhals Hiking Route
Join us on the Fimmvorduhals Hiking tour and choose your pick-up location, whether it’s Skógafoss, Reykjavik, Selfoss, or select hotels in the Hella area. The tour starts from Skógafoss waterfall in South Iceland. The hike will take approximately 9-12 hours, depending on the group’s pace.
Beginning at Skógafoss waterfall and Skogá river, we will walk to see the magnificent waterfall from above before passing numerous other waterfalls on our way up. The route offers stunning views of ashy fields, lava fields, glaciers, volcanoes, and a fertile young earth. Along the way, we’ll encounter historic sites and natural wonders, making for a truly unforgettable experience.
From towering volcanic glaciers to picturesque rivers and verdant valleys, this tour promises to be an exhilarating experience unlike any other. As you hike, you’ll also be following in the footsteps of the Vikings who created the cairns that mark the path. In 2010, the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull created two new volcanic craters, Magni and Móði, which we’ll have the opportunity to see on this route. With stunning natural wonders like these, it’s no wonder that the Fimmvorduhals Hiking Tour is a must-do for any adventurer visiting Iceland.
We will take a break during the hike to rest and enjoy a packed lunch. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we can take a break at the cabin of the Travel Association of Iceland to warm up before we continue. After the break, we will cross the Goðahraun lava field that formed in the 2010 eruption and visit the newly formed Magni and Móði volcanic craters. The trek will conclude with a downhill hike to Þórsmörk through the fairly steep Catspine pass.
Þórsmörk is a pristine haven in the Icelandic highlands, named after the thunder god Þór. It’s an untouched wilderness that provides a picturesque and unforgettable end to the hike.
Camping is available in Thorsmork at the end of the hike but not included in the trip. In Thorsmork, which is itself an untouched paradise, we love having a big BBQ and reflect together on our challenging but amazing day.
In the evening we will return back to Skógar.
The Name & History of Fimmvorduhals
The Fimmvorduhals trail holds a special significance for Icelanders, as its name can be traced back to their ancient practice of marking paths with cairns. The name itself is made up of two words: “Fimm,” meaning five, and “vörður,” meaning cairns. These piles of rocks were used to guide travelers between farms and ensure they were on the right track.
Every time a traveler passed a cairn, they would add a new rock to show their gratitude to those who had helped before them and to make the cairn more visible for future hikers. The name Fimmvorduhals, therefore, signifies the five cairns that serve as a guide along the trail and ensure you stay on course.
As you hike the Fimmvorduhals trail, you’ll be following in the footsteps of generations of Icelanders who have traversed these rugged landscapes, and you’ll be reminded of their ingenuity and resourcefulness as you pass each of the five cairns. So come, experience the magic of this historic trail and add your own rock to the cairns as you make your way between the glaciers and volcanoes that define the Icelandic wilderness.
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