Fimmvörðuháls Hike: All About This Icelandic Classic

Of the many hiking trails in Iceland, the Fimmvörðuháls hike, also called the Fimm hike, is one of the best day hikes. It is located in the southwest - one of the busiest tourist regions in Iceland - but only a few travelers complete the entire hike. The highlight of this hike is the opportunity to walk through a wide variety of landscapes in one day, or rather two days: starting at the ocean, past 26 waterfalls to tundra grasslands, then across a volcanic plateau where some of the world's most recent volcanic activity has taken place.

Fimmvörðuháls, pronounced as Fimveurdihols, is the area between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull in southern Iceland. The route between Skógar and Thórsmörk runs through this pass and is one of the most popular hiking routes in Iceland, despite its length of 22 kilometers and 1,000-meter climb. The hike is also popular in combination with the Laugavegur Trail. On March 20, 2010, an eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano began in Fimmvörðuháls. Just over a week later, the Fimmvörðuháls eruption caused a 300-meter long gap and new craters were seen erupting on a northward path. The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, which paralyzed air traffic across northern and western Europe, followed not much later. But don't worry, it has been quiet since then.

From Reykjavik, it is a two-and-a-half-hour drive to the Skógar waterfall, from where the hike begins. If you want to hike the Fimm hike during the day, you will need to start early, as this is a long day hike and you don't want to finish too late in the evening. The route ends in Þórsmörk (named after the Norse god Thor), a part of the river valley that can be reached by road from the ring road and where there are places to stay overnight and camp. The road follows the river valley back to the Ring Road (1 hour's drive) on a bumpy gravel road with several river fords. Note: Do not attempt this on your own. Keep reading to find out more about the buses that run to Skógar.

Every experienced hiker will agree that there is no better map than a real old-fashioned map, possibly made of paper. It is best to buy one in Reykjavik. You can get a map of the Fimmvörðuháls hike in any bookstore in town.

The route can be started either in Skógar or Þórsmörk. It is fair to say that almost all Icelanders who hike the Fimmvörðuháls hike take the route from south to north, from Skógar to Þórsmörk. In general, the route from Skógar is easier, as the ascent is more gradual. In addition, all the beautiful waterfalls in the Skógá river are in front of you the whole way. On the descent, the view of Þórsmörk is indescribable, something you must see with your own eyes.

The best way to get to Skógar, the starting point of the Fimmvörðuháls hike, is by bus. There are two companies that sell tickets for their adventurous bus ride. Adventurous? Yes, it's definitely not a city bus ride. To get to Skógar, you follow gravel roads and finally cross a river. The bus is of course well equipped for this. You can contact our trekking experts and book the cabins and your bus ticket in one go.

On the Fimmvörðuháls trail, you will spend the night in huts or put up your tent next to one. Please note that it is absolutely forbidden to place your tent outside the designated areas inside the nature reserve. All the huts along the route have camping areas. Two huts are on the trail. One is Baldvinsskáli, which is located at the top of the main trail. It is owned by Ferðafélag Íslands (Iceland Touring Association, FÍ). The hut has sleeping bag accommodation for 20 people. The other hut is located northwest of the main trail. It is owned by the touring club Útivist and is called Fimmvörðuskáli. Þórsmörk offers a large and spacious chalet with room for 75 people.

The cabins along the most popular hiking routes are very popular, so it is essential for hikers to book their accommodation in advance. Please note that there is little choice on the Fimmvörðuháls. A reservation is therefore a must. Our trekking experts specialize in booking cabins at the most beautiful hiking destinations in Europe. They will be happy to help you make booking a hut on the Fimmvörðuháls trail a piece of cake.

If you stay in an Icelandic hut, you must bring your own sleeping bag, as no sleeping bags or blankets are provided. The huts are warm, so the sleeping bag does not have to be of Arctic quality. In the larger huts, you can expect both running water and water toilets, but in some smaller huts, you will have to fetch water from a nearby stream and use a latrine or outdoor toilet. Please note that it is not possible to buy hot, ready-made meals in most Icelandic huts. You will therefore have to bring your own food while hiking in Iceland. The exception to this is the huts along the popular Laugavegur walking route. There, all huts sell some supplies, such as dried food for backpacking, soft drinks, and bars, as well as cookers and gas. Only in Langadal in Þórsmörk is it possible to buy beer and wine.

Moreover, in all, except the largest huts, you cannot leave any waste or rubbish behind but have to take it back to the lowlands. You can camp near the huts for a camping fee, but campers have to bring their own cooker and kitchenware because they cannot use the kitchen facilities in the huts.

Hygiene, cleanliness, and consideration for fellow travelers are very important. The aim of these simple hut rules is to ensure a comfortable stay for hikers and other travelers.

Hut rules

• If the manager is available, please discuss your reservation with him/her, where to sleep, and specific hut rules
• Rest times are from midnight to seven o'clock the next morning
• No shoes in the hut. Please leave your hiking boots in the hallway
• Smoking in the huts is strictly forbidden
• Leave the cooking area clean and tidy
• Add water to the big pot on the kitchen cooker, if necessary
• When leaving, make sure the hut is clean and tidy
• Don't forget to pay for the accommodation and facilities
• Help to keep the environment clean by not leaving your rubbish behind

You hike in Iceland to experience nature. Remember: Clean environment = beautiful nature!

Check the price list below to get an approximate idea of what you can buy in the huts and what it costs. Please note that the prices are in Icelandic Kronor (IKR).

A hut trek can be done by anyone in normal health. However, if you want to get the most out of your Fimmvörðuháls Hike, it is wise to prepare yourself physically. Iceland is not nothing, so you will have to be creative when it comes to your preparation. For adequate preparation, consider the following five things.

Cardio

It is best to get moving as soon as you think about your walking holiday in Iceland. With proper aerobic fitness, you will have a better heart rate, healthy muscles, and great lung capacity. Running, walking, more walking, and cycling or swimming are excellent exercise methods. One hour, 3 to 4 times a week is sufficient.

Endurance training

Building up endurance fitness is also important. The best thing you can do is walk long distances, at least once a week. If you can walk comfortably for a long time you are ready to go.

Train with equipment

Use the backpack and shoes you plan to use for your hut trip and add this to your training as you work on your cardio and endurance.

Altitude

If you can, mimic altitude by hiking and trekking in the hills and mountains. If you don't live in the right area for this, don't panic. The first two points are the most important.

Know your body

This is perhaps the most important part. If you question your physical abilities, it is wise to have a check-up by your doctor. There is no set method for preparing for your hut trek. Do not overthink your preparation. Take it easy and enjoy your time in Iceland.