Fimmvörðuháls: extending the Laugavegur to Skógar
Add one spectacular day to the Laugavegur: the Fimmvörðuháls pass from Þórsmörk to Skógar, between two glaciers and past the 2010 eruption craters. Distance, difficulty and practical tips.
Arrived in Þórsmörk with energy to spare? Then consider one more day. The Fimmvörðuháls pass links Þórsmörk with Skógar on the south coast, climbing between the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. Many hikers call it the most spectacular day of their whole trip.
Key facts
| Route | Þórsmörk (Básar or Langidalur) → Fimmvörðuháls → Skógar |
| Distance | about 22–27 km, depending on your starting hut |
| Ascent | ± 1,000 m up from Þórsmörk; the pass is at about 1,000 m |
| Time | 8–10 hours in one day, or split over two days |
| Overnight option | Baldvinsskáli hut, near the top on the Skógar side |
Ferðafélag Íslands splits the route into two sections: Þórsmörk → Baldvinsskáli (15 km) and Baldvinsskáli → Skógar (12 km).
What you’ll see
- The climb out of Þórsmörk over the ridges of Kattahryggir (“cat’s spine”), with views back over the glacial valleys you just walked through.
- Magni and Móði, the two craters formed in the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption. The ground is still warm in places.
- The pass itself, a high plateau between two ice caps, often in snow even in summer.
- The descent to Skógar along the Skógá river, past more than 20 waterfalls, ending at the famous Skógafoss.
Is it harder than the Laugavegur?
It’s a longer and steeper day than any Laugavegur stage, with a big climb and a long descent. The pass is exposed: in wind or fog it can be dangerous, and in snow the route is hard to find. Check the forecast for the pass specifically and ask the wardens in Þórsmörk before you start. If the weather is bad, skip it: the bus from Þórsmörk takes you back to Reykjavik.
Practical tips
- Walking direction: most Laugavegur hikers go Þórsmörk → Skógar, which means the climb comes first.
- Bus back: Skógar is on the south coast. The Reykjavik Excursions highland bus (HB03) and regular buses on Route 1 run to Reykjavik. Check the times for the end of your day.
- Water: there’s little water on the upper section; fill up before you leave.
- Plan an extra night. Adding Fimmvörðuháls makes your trip at least one day longer, so account for that in your hut and bus bookings.
Some organised Laugavegur trips include Fimmvörðuháls as the final stage. If you’re comparing options, check whether it’s in the itinerary. See guided or self-guided.
