Þórsmörk - “Thor’s Forest” in Icelandic - is a highland valley sheltered by three glaciers: Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull. The mountains surrounding the valley create a microclimate mild enough to support birch trees and wildflowers at an elevation where surrounding areas are bare. It is one of the most beautiful valley settings in Iceland, and it sits at the confluence of two of the country’s great hiking trails.
What you need to understand before planning accommodation here: Þórsmörk has no hotels, guesthouses, or guesthouses of any kind. Everything is huts and campsites, managed by three separate hiking organisations. Getting there requires either a 4WD vehicle capable of multiple river crossings or a seat on the highland bus. This is not a remote resort destination - it is a genuine wilderness valley, and the accommodation reflects that.
Getting to Þórsmörk
By 4WD vehicle on F249: The approach road involves several significant river crossings, the most serious being the Þórsmörk glacial river. Water levels vary dramatically by time of day (glacial melt peaks in the afternoon) and by recent weather. Never attempt this crossing in a 2WD car. Even experienced 4WD drivers should check with the hut wardens about current depth before crossing. The drive from the Ring Road junction takes approximately 1–1.5 hours.
Highland bus (Reykjavík Excursions - Flybus): The most straightforward option for travellers without 4WD. Buses run from Reykjavík BSÍ terminal and from Seljalandsfoss on the Ring Road. The bus has raised clearance and experienced drivers who know the river crossing conditions. Service runs June through September - check re.is for the current timetable. For a fully guided Laugavegur or Þórsmörk experience, organised highland tours are also available through GetYourGuide.
On foot from the Laugavegur trail: Hikers completing the Laugavegur from Landmannalaugar arrive at Þórsmörk after approximately 4 days and 55km.
On foot from Skógar via Fimmvörðuháls: The 25km route over the Fimmvörðuháls pass arrives from the south, taking 1–2 days depending on starting point and pace.
The Three Hut Complexes
Þórsmörk has three separate accommodation clusters, each run by a different organisation and bookable independently.
Volcano Huts (Húsadalur) - volcanouhuts.com
Húsadalur sits in the eastern end of the valley with views of Eyjafjallajökull. The Volcano Huts complex is the most commercially developed option in Þórsmörk, offering a range from standard hut bunks to private cabins. Prices as of 2026:
- Hut sleeping bag space: approximately ISK 7,500–8,500 per person per night
- Private cabins: approximately ISK 55,000–90,000 per cabin per night (sleeping 2–6 people)
- Camping: approximately ISK 2,200 per person per night
The Volcano Huts complex has a restaurant (open in season), a shower block, and a small shop. The cabins are the most comfortable accommodation in all of Þórsmörk - though “comfortable” is relative: they are well-insulated timber structures with beds, electricity, and heating, but no hotel-standard furniture or amenities. For hiking groups who want a step above sleeping bag bunks, the cabins are the obvious choice.
Book through volcanohuts.com - July and August dates go in January/February.
FÍ Langidalur Hut - fi.is
The Langidalur hut is run by the FÍ (Iceland Touring Association) and sits in the western section of the valley. It has:
- Sleeping bag bunk space: approximately ISK 8,000–9,000 per person per night
- Camping: approximately ISK 2,000 per person per night
The Langidalur hut is the most traditional option - functional hut accommodation with a shared kitchen and common room. The surrounding valley walking from this hub is excellent, with day hikes to the Þórsmörk viewpoints taking 2–4 hours.
Book through fi.is. Like the Volcano Huts, July and August fill very fast.
Básar Hut - utivist.is
Básar is operated by Útivist (the other main Icelandic hiking club) and sits at the southern end of the valley, closest to the Fimmvörðuháls trailhead.
- Sleeping bag bunk space: approximately ISK 7,500–8,500 per person per night
- Camping: approximately ISK 1,800–2,200 per person per night
Básar is the starting point for the Fimmvörðuháls hike, and many Fimmvörðuháls hikers sleep here before or after the crossing. The hut has kitchen facilities and a warden through the summer season.
Book through utivist.is.
Camping in Þórsmörk
All three hut complexes have adjacent camping areas, and camping is by far the most affordable way to stay in Þórsmörk. The ground is volcanic sand and gravel - tent pegs need to go deep. The valley is sheltered by the surrounding mountains, which means calmer conditions than much of Iceland’s highland interior.
In peak season, arrive before 2pm to secure a flat pitch near facilities. The campsites do not have a hard maximum capacity but they become crowded on peak weekends.
Day Hiking in Þórsmörk
The valley’s sheltered microclimate means Þórsmörk has some of the most accessible highland hiking in Iceland without needing to be a serious mountaineer:
Valahnúkur viewpoint: A 2-hour return walk from Húsadalur giving views over all three glacier tongues and the full valley. The most rewarding short hike in Þórsmörk.
Tindfjöll loop: A full-day circular route along the ridge above the valley (approximately 15km, 5–6 hours). Requires reasonable fitness and navigation confidence.
Fimmvörðuháls to Skógar: The 25km route south over the pass between Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, passing the Skógafoss waterfall on the way down to the south coast. One of Iceland’s finest single-day mountain crossings. Guided south coast day trips are available if you want transport arranged from Reykjavík to the trailhead area.
See our Þórsmörk guide for full trail descriptions and seasonal access details.