Iceland: Hiking in Thórsmörk

Hveragerdi - Thórsmörk

Photography, Adventure, Hiking, Exploration

Activity Level: 4

Iceland, a realm of contrasting elements with its fiery volcanoes and icy glaciers, stands as a windswept island, offering an ideal backdrop for an extraordinary hiking expedition. Thórsmörk, renowned as Iceland's premier hiking destination and among the finest globally, beckons adventurers to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Over the course of this 7-day expedition, participants will explore cascading waterfalls, marvel at breathtaking vistas, and traverse a sprawling river valley, all in the company of newfound friends and a heart brimming with awe. Amidst this remarkable experience, camping in tents under the vast Icelandic skies adds an extra layer of adventure, immersing participants in the rugged beauty of the land of fire and ice. Please Note: This is a participatory camping trip, in which all travelers will be assisting in setting up camp and cooking meals. Guides will teach you the best methods for quick set up and take down of tents, and will lead the cooking, providing clear instructions and oversight. If you’ve never set up camp or cooked outdoors before, this is the perfect opportunity to learn under expert supervision!

  • 7 days

  • 8 - 14 spots

  • Double occupancy in tents

  • 6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 6 Dinners

Activities Included

  • Thingvellir National Park
  • The Great Geysir Viewing
  • Gullfoss Waterfall Visit
  • Half Day Hiking in Thorsmork
  • First Full Day Hiking in Thorsmork
  • Second Full Day Hiking in Thorsmork

Other Inclusions

  • Double occupancy in tents
  • Local guide throughout trip
  • All city transfers
  • All camping equipment (except sleeping bag and pillow)

Exclusions

  • Flights (except as noted)
  • Food & Alcohol (except as noted)
  • Visas & Travel Insurance
  • Airport Transfers
  • Sleeping Bag & Pillow
  • Tips & Gratuity

Itinerary

Day 1

info

Day 1

Welcome! Please be prepared to meet at the campground at 5:30pm to depart for your welcome dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into KEF.

meal

dinner

Get to know the group! Included welcome dinner at local restaurant. Toast to an exciting trip ahead! Your meal tonight will either be a set menu or a la carte. Only water is included.

accommodation

Hveragerdi Camping Site or similar, or similar

Overnight camping in Hveragerdi

Day 2

info

Day 2

After breakfast, leave your campsite behind and head out to the most famous route in the country, Golden Circle. Your first stop of the day will be Thingvellir Park. From there you’ll continue on the road until you reach the water erupting from the ground up to 100ft in the sky, better known as Strokkur Geyser. Your final destination of the day will be the powerful Gullfoss Waterfall. After the waterfall you will continue to your new campsite where you will spend the remainder of the evening setting up camp and then preparing and cooking dinner as a group. Be sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes and appropriate hiking clothes. Please pack a windproof/waterproof jacket and your preferred hiking gear.

meal

breakfast

Breakfast is included. You will have 3 options: 1. Breakfast will be served at Hotel Ork; 2. You will visit a bakery and pick out breakfast; 3. In a group effort, you will prepare and cook breakfast together at the cooking facility at the campsite. You will decide with your guide which option the group prefers.

activity

APPROX. 1 HOUR

Thingvellir National Park

Your first stop will be in Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you will be able to look down a volcanic rift and straddle two tectonic plates. Fun fact: This is the only place where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet and can be seen on dry land. Thingvellir is recognized as the place in which Iceland’s identity as a nation began as it was the site the Viking settlers chose as their parliament back in the 10th century. Upon entering the park you will stop at the welcome center and have the opportunity to explore there. You will then get back in the vehicle to continue driving.

activity

APPROX. 40 MIN

The Great Geysir Viewing

Visit the spouting hot springs of the Great Geysir and Strokkur where you’ll be able to walk around the geothermal area. The lively Strokkur spouts water 100 feet into the air every few minutes, so have your camera ready and enjoy the show! It will be a short walk on an unpaved, gravel path so please wear comfortable walking shoes. Due to the weather in Iceland changing constantly, please be prepared for mud.

activity

APPROX. 45 MIN

Gullfoss Waterfall Visit

Travel to where the milky Hvita river drops into a volcanic fissure, forming one of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls, Gullfoss. You will have some time to walk around the area and take some epic photos. It will be a short walk on an unpaved, gravel path so please wear comfortable walking shoes. Due to the weather in Iceland changing constantly, please be prepared for mud.

meal

dinner

Dinner at the campsite is included. In a group effort, you will prepare and cook your meal together at the cooking facility at the campsite. As a group you will then share the responsibilities of cleaning up together.

accommodation

Smaratun Camping Site or similar, or similar

Overnight camping in Smaratun

Day 3

info

Day 3

Leave your campsite this morning and head out to the town of Hella. In town, you will pick up some supplies with your Guide before swapping to a bus to travel across the river to Thorsmork. Named after the Norse god Thor, the Icelandic ridge is situated between two impressive glaciers. On arrival take some time to set up your tents as you’ll be staying here for the next few days. Depending on your mood and energy you can take some time to relax and enjoy nature, or start with a short hike in the area. Be sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes and appropriate hiking clothes. Please pack a windproof/waterproof jacket and your preferred hiking gear.

meal

breakfast

Breakfast is included. You will have 2 options: 1. Breakfast will be served at Guesthouse Smaratun; 2. In a group effort, you will prepare and cook breakfast together at the cooking facility at the campsite. You will decide with your guide which option the group prefers.

transfer

APPROX. 1 HOUR 30 MIN

Bus to Thorsmork

A public coach will transfer you into Thorsmork. Your luggage and camping gear will go in the storage below the bus. Upon arrival you will be dropped off at your campsite and begin to set up for the next few nights.

activity

APPROX. 3 HOURS

Half Day Hiking in Thorsmork

After arriving in Thorsmork, you will spend the remainder of the afternoon hiking in the park. The specific trail will be decided by the local guide based on trail conditions, weather, and group physical ability. Rest assured, trails will have no shortage of breathtaking scenery and Icelandic beauty. Some of the hikes include: Réttarfell, a moderate 2.5 mile hike taking approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Activity level intermediate to advanced. Útigönguhöfði, a hard 6 mile hike taking approximately 6-7 hours to complete. Activity level advanced. Valahnúkur, a moderately easy 1.5 mile hike taking approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Activity level beginner. Tindfjöll Circle, a moderate to difficult 5 mile hike taking approximately 5-7 hours to complete. Activity level intermediate. Rjúpnafell, a moderate to difficult 3.8 mile hike taking approximately 4 hours to complete. Activity level advanced.

meal

dinner

Dinner at the campsite is included. In a group effort, you will prepare and cook your meal together at the cooking facility at the campsite. As a group you will then share the responsibilities of cleaning up together.

accommodation

Basar Camping Site or similar, or similar

Overnight camping in Thorsmork

Day 4

info

Day 4

The Thorsmork Nature Reserve has some of the most beautiful and varied hiking terrain in all of Iceland. Offering unrivaled views of glaciers, rivers, and mountains, with the sprawling valley below. Since your camp will be in the heart of the mountain ridge, today your group will have many options to choose from. Depending on the conditions on the ground, the Guide will decide with the group which hikes to tackle for today. After returning to your campsite you will have the remainder of the evening to begin preparing and cooking dinner as a group. Be sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes and appropriate hiking clothes. Please pack a windproof/waterproof jacket and your preferred hiking gear.

meal

breakfast

Breakfast is included. Breakfast will be served in the restaurant at Basar campground. The meal will be basic with breads, spreads, cereals and yoghurt.

activity

APPROX. 7 HOURS

First Full Day Hiking in Thorsmork

Today you will spend the full day hiking in Thorsmork. The specific trail will be decided by the local guide based on trail conditions, weather, and group physical ability. Rest assured, trails will have no shortage of breathtaking scenery and Icelandic beauty. Some of the hikes include: Réttarfell, a moderate 2.5 mile hike taking approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Activity level intermediate to advanced. Útigönguhöfði, a hard 6 mile hike taking approximately 6-7 hours to complete. Activity level advanced. Valahnúkur, a moderately easy 1.5 mile hike taking approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Activity level beginner. Tindfjöll Circle, a moderate to difficult 5 mile hike taking approximately 5-7 hours to complete. Activity level intermediate. Rjúpnafell, a moderate to difficult 3.8 mile hike taking approximately 4 hours to complete. Activity level advanced.

meal

lunch

Packed lunch is included. Your meal may consist of a sandwich, yoghurt and fruit.

meal

dinner

Dinner at the campsite is included. In a group effort, you will prepare and cook your meal together at the cooking facility at the campsite. As a group you will then share the responsibilities of cleaning up together.

accommodation

Basar Camping Site or similar, or similar

Overnight camping in Thorsmork

Day 5

info

Day 5

Today you will have another opportunity to spend a full day hiking in Thorsmork. At breakfast your local guide will discuss the hikes available for the day and as group will make a decision based on activity level and weather. After returning to your campsite you will have the remainder of the evening to begin preparing and cooking dinner as a group. Be sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes and appropriate hiking clothes. Please pack a windproof/waterproof jacket and your preferred hiking gear.

meal

breakfast

Breakfast is included. Breakfast will be served in the restaurant at Basar campground. The meal will be basic with breads, spreads, cereals and yoghurt.

activity

APPROX. 7 HOURS

Second Full Day Hiking in Thorsmork

Today you will spend the full day hiking in Thorsmork. The specific trail will be decided by the local guide based on trail conditions, weather, and group physical ability. Rest assured, trails will have no shortage of breathtaking scenery and Icelandic beauty. Some of the hikes include: Réttarfell, a moderate 2.5 mile hike taking approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Activity level intermediate to advanced. Útigönguhöfði, a hard 6 mile hike taking approximately 6-7 hours to complete. Activity level advanced. Valahnúkur, a moderately easy 1.5 mile hike taking approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Activity level beginner. Tindfjöll Circle, a moderate to difficult 5 mile hike taking approximately 5-7 hours to complete. Activity level intermediate. Rjúpnafell, a moderate to difficult 3.8 mile hike taking approximately 4 hours to complete. Activity level advanced.

meal

lunch

Packed lunch is included. Your meal may consist of a sandwich, yoghurt and fruit.

meal

dinner

Dinner at the campsite is included. In a group effort, you will prepare and cook your meal together at the cooking facility at the campsite. As a group you will then share the responsibilities of cleaning up together.

accommodation

Basar Camping Site or similar, or similar

Overnight camping in Thorsmork

Day 6

info

Day 6

After breakfast today you’ll leave the mountain ridge and return to the town of Hella via public bus. From there, you will be privately transferred in a coach to Hveragerði to set up camp. After setting up camp, you’ll enjoy a farewell dinner as a group.

meal

breakfast

Breakfast is included. Breakfast will be served in the restaurant at Basar campground. The meal will be basic with breads, spreads, cereals and yoghurt.

transfer

APPROX. 1 HOUR

Bus to Hella

A public bus will transfer you from your campsite back to the parking lot in Hella, where your private vehicle will be. Once the group is settled into their private vehicle, you will be transferred to your new campsite for the evening.

meal

dinner

Included farewell dinner at local restaurant. Toast to an exciting trip ahead! Your meal tonight will either be a set menu or a la carte. Only water is included.

accommodation

Hveragerdi Camping Site or similar, or similar

Overnight in Hveragerdi

Day 7

info

Day 7

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing today we recommend flying out of KEF.

meal

breakfast

Breakfast is included. You will have 3 options: 1. Breakfast will be served at Hotel Ork; 2. You will visit a bakery and pick out breakfast; 3. In a group effort, you will prepare and cook breakfast together at the cooking facility at the campsite. You will decide with your guide which option the group prefers.

Itinerary Details

Itineraries may change throughout the year due to several factors including logistical issues, Traveler feedback, or operational changes. The provided itinerary, including estimated times, serve as guidelines only. As your date of travel approaches, our Operators will amend the itinerary to include more details, adjust activities and provide updated information.

TrovaTrip and our Operators reserve the right to alter itineraries as we deem necessary before and during your experience in-destination.

Our 1% Promise

In partnership with The Cool Effect, 1% of your booking will be donated to reduce carbon emissions through community-based initiatives around the globe. Learn more at cooleffect.org.

$1670+ USD

per traveler
Request trip

$1670+ USD

per traveler