Fimmvörðuháls Trail

Fimmvörðuháls Trail is a Skógar-to-Þórsmörk hiking route that crosses the Fimmvörðuháls pass between Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull in southern Iceland. The pass is a multi-day-style outing in one push if you move fast, with a classic mix of waterfall country, volcanic terrain, and a steep end into the Þórsmörk valley.

Route length is about 25 km with roughly 1,000 m of climbing. Expect a full-day commitment in the 8–12 hour range; split versions are typically done with an overnight at Baldvinsskáli hut or by detouring to other huts along the pass.

The opening leg is the Skógá River “Waterfall Way,” starting by Skógafoss and running along the river past a dense sequence of cascades. After the river section, the character changes: vegetation thins and you move onto a barren, rocky volcanic landscape.

Near the midpoint, the trail reaches the exposed high pass area where snow and fog can be major factors even in summer. Marked stakes help in places, and sections of snowfields can require careful navigation and traction depending on conditions.

The volcanic centerpiece is the area reshaped by the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption, including the twin craters Magni and Móði. This part sits on young lava ground (Godaland/Goðahraun area), so terrain is loose/uneven and weather shifts quickly.

Descent into Þórsmörk is the pay-off and usually the most technical feeling portion of the route: it drops steeply toward Strákagil and Kattarhryggir (“Cat’s Spine”), including a short chain-assisted stretch on the most exposed segment (in good visibility).

Huts along the way include Baldvinsskáli and the Fimmvörðuháls hut area, supporting 1–2 day itineraries. The route is typically accessible only during the main summer window, with common guidance that it’s open from mid-June through late August/early September (weather and snow still drive actual conditions).

More information: Booking, Wikipedia, Fimmvörðuháls Hike: A Step-By-Step Guide to Iceland's Best ...