All About Thorsmork valley of Thor in Iceland, hiking trails, and facilities. Have you ever heard of this magical place? Where you can stand in between tall mountains, glaciers and volcanoes all at the same time while breathing in the beauty and preparing for a hike on the most unique trails. Here you will experience views of a lifetime.
Þórsmörk (Thorsmork) is a magnificent lushly vegetated mountain valley and designated nature reserve. The “true” Þórsmörk is the area between the Krossá, Þrönga and Markarfljót rivers, the valley is closed at the far end by the magnificent Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The notorious Katla volcano nestles ominously and quite restlessly at the moment, under the Mýrdalsjökull icecap. These natural boundaries define Þórsmörk. Although, many people mention Þórsmörk when they are talking about a wider area than this. The name Þórsmörk has some interesting links with Norse mythology and the Norse God Þór (Thor), the Thunder God with the famous hammer, Mjölnir. So the name means Þór’s wood, a really great name for this richly wooded valley!
Sitting as it does within the embrace of the high mountain glaciers Þörsmörk Nature Reserve enjoys a climate which is more gentle and favorable than that in the surrounding area. The valley is home to birch and other trees, moss, ferns, more than 170 seminiferous plants and shrubs which all grow abundantly in this sheltered green paradise. It also helps that horses and sheep have not grazed here for more than 100 years giving vegetation the chance to flourish unimpeded! This fertile birch scented area contrasts starkly against the trio of towering mountain glaciers above it, Tindfjallajökull, Eyjafjallajökull, and Mýrdalsjökull. Following a trail up above the valley will take you close to the glaciers and provide a magnificent aerial view over the whole area. Þórsmörk Nature Reserve is a mind-blowing dream scene!
The journey through south Iceland to Seljalandsfoss, then on to Þórsmörk is exciting. Crossing the river Krossá (yes, Krossá literally means ‘the cross river’) is an adventure. Some days the flow of this glacial river is bigger and more forceful than others. A word of warning, go very carefully and never ever attempt this in a regular car!
The Icelanders come here to relax among sweetly scented birch trees, hike and to ride on horseback as their ancestors did when they followed the Laugavegur trail in ancient times.
View over Áftavatn on the Laugavegur Trail
This world top 10 trail begins, or ends at Þórsmörk, depending which direction you walk in! Even if you only have a few hours here you can walk part of it, there are circular walks which include part of the Laugavegur trail. Horse riding and trekking tours will show you the very best of Þórsmörk over a few days – go home with memories to die for! All Þórsmörk hikes will take you to extraordinary lookout points and photo opportunities. On foot, horseback or just resting, the sights, smells, silence, and nature sounds in Þórsmörk Nature Reserve will envelop you in blissful tranquility to nourish your mind, body and spirit.
The Básar Hut, run by Útivist, the touring Association of Iceland, offers accommodation and camping facilities at Þórsmörk (fees payable). Accommodation in the hut must be booked in advance. Útivist also offers mountain hut and camping accommodation in other locations nearby for those who are trekking.
Contact the Útivist office in Reykjavík on +354 562 1000 or the warden at Básar on +352 893 2910. Email: utlivist@utivist.is – More information is available at www.utivist.is.Opening times
During summer from May to the end of September Básar hut and camping facilities are open. Open by prior arrangement for groups throughout the year.
Other options are the Volcano huts or camping grounds. The camping sites in Þórsmörk are a wonderful option and one of our favorite while trekking the 6 day Laugavegur trek (camping) where two days are spent inside Þórsmörk valley.
The Básar and Volcano Huts are the hiking hubs in Þórsmörk National Park! Pick up a detailed trails map from a warden and you are on your way. One problem – too many hikes to choose from!
The Fimmvörðuháls trail shortly after the eruption in 2010
Þórsmörk Volcano Hike from Reykjavík offers a stupendous opportunity to get to know the most stunningly remarkable scenery around the Þórsmörk area. No outdoor enthusiast can afford to miss this! Your footsteps will take you from Básar, along a track high above the Valley of the Thunder God, up through the Fimmvörðuháls (Fimmvorduhals) mountain pass, site of the first eruption in 2010. See dramatic hanging glaciers as you gain and elevation of 800 m hiking 14 km through some of the most extraordinary scenery on the planet. You will even see Magni and Móði, the two new craters formed in the Fimmvörðuháls eruption of 2010. They are named after Þór’s sons, Magni and Móði, meaning strong and brave. Along with his daughter, Þrúðr, meaning strength, these sons are the children of Þór whom, it is said, best embody his own qualities and attributes. Vibrantly colored mountains, the verdant birch carpeted valley, ominous volcano mountain glaciers and new lava will make this a day to remember forever.
Self-drivers need to get a 4×4 with suitable insurance cover to cross the river. Mention to your rental car provider that you intend traveling to Þórsmörk. Isak specializes in these kinds of vehicles. For more information see www.isak.com, other car hire companies have a few suitable vehicles too. Book in advance!
Reykjavík Excursions runs a daily bus to Þórsmörk from BSÍ Bus Station in Reykjavík between 1st May and 15th October.
Companies offer both one-day and multiday tours to Þórsmörk and then you will not have to worry about crossing the rivers and such yourself. Check out adventures.is or adventures.com for options.
Þórsmörk can also be visited in Winter and is an excellent point to view Northern Lights from.
Do you have a memory from Þórsmörk?
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