The Fimmvorduhals Trail is a famous hiking path situated between Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull Glaciers in Southwest Iceland. From volcanic landscapes to canyon waterfalls, the 25 km route leads hikers through Iceland’s most striking nature.
The trail recently received worldwide attention after a Fimmvörðuháls eruption was caused by the infamous Eyjafjallajokull Volcano. At Fimmvörðuháls Pass, hikers can now marvel at two volcanic craters — Magni and Móði — formed in the wake of the March 2010 eruption.
Fimmvorduhals is full of Iceland’s most diverse geography. With grassy tundra, volcanic plateaus, and over 26 waterfalls, the Fimmvorduhals Trail will weave you through the best natural wonders on Earth.
Fimmvorduhals is a large mountain pass between South Iceland’s famous Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull Glaciers. Check out these quick facts about Fimmvorduhals’ natural geography:
Fimmvorduhals Pass is located on Iceland’s South Coast. The Pass is a long strip of land best described as the place where Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull Glaciers meet.
Fimmvorduhals hikers have the option to start the Fimmvorduhals Trail in one of two locations: Skogafoss Waterfall (South) or Thorsmork (North). However, most people start at Skogafoss Waterfall because it’s close to the busy Route 1 (the Ring Road).
To get to Skogafoss from Reykjavik, take the Ring Road southeast for roughly 2 hours (156 km). At this point, you’ll see the mighty Skogafoss Waterfall standing tall in the distance. Turn left and drive your car to the free parking lot directly next to the waterfall.
Traveling to Fimmvörðuháls by bus? It’s possible to take the bus from Reykjavik to either Thorsmork or Skogafoss. The bus is also frequently used by hikers who end the trail in Thorsmork and need to get back to their car at the Skogafoss parking lot.
During both summer and winter, expect to face a wide range of weather at the Fimmvorduhals Trail. With everything from hot, sunny rays to periods of snow, it’s possible to experience every season in one day. Yet, no matter the weather, Fimmvorduhals’ incredible view is always worth the visit — just remember to bring warm layers.
Summer temperatures hover between 5 and 15°C (41-59°F). In winter, temperatures at Fimmvorduhals linger at around -5°C (23°F). During winter, be prepared for the Fimmvorduhals Trail to be completely impassable due to difficult weather conditions.
Even if it appears sunny and warm in Thorsmörk, it’s possible that the weather at Fimmvorduhals is facing extreme fog or freezing temperatures at that very moment. Since the weather changes unexpectedly, we recommend checking the road and weather conditions with cabin and park wardens to get the latest weather updates.
The Fimmvorduhals Trail’s otherworldly volcanic landscape is the perfect environment for trekking. We suggest booking an expert-guided Fimmvorduhals day or multi-day hiking tour to soak up the trail’s nature to the fullest!
With its unique natural geography and close proximity to Reykjavik, Fimmvorduhals is a popular spot for day hikes. The Fimmvorduhals Pass day hike is a 12-hour trek that takes you up into Thorsmork Valley’s volcanic area.
Join our experienced hiking guides on a Fimmvorduhals day tour with easy pick-up from Reykjavik. Avoid the hassle of car rental as you hop into a 4x4 Super Jeep and comfortably drive through beautiful South Iceland scenery. Upon arrival, a local guide will take you on a 16-km hike to the stunning Fimmvorduhals Pass.
Walking across the Fimmvorduhals Trail is a hiker’s dream come true. With glaciers, volcanoes, and countless waterfalls to explore, a Fimmvorduhals multi-day adventure won’t disappoint even the most avid trekkers.
A great Fimmvorduhals multi-day adventure is a small-group Laugavegur & Fimmvorduhals 6-Day tour. Journey along the world-famous Laugavegur Trail while a certified guide leads you through 77 km of majestic Iceland nature. The tour includes top perks such as hut-to-hut luggage transport and daily meals so that you don’t have to sweat the small stuff.
Fimmsvorduhals has many great accommodation options nearby. The area draws a large number of tourists, so we recommend booking your stay far ahead of time.
If you need a place to stay overnight during a multi-day Fimmvorduhals trek, there are small Fimmvörðuháls mountain huts to sleep in. Remember to check whether you need to bring your own sleeping bag!
Here are a few recommendations for the top-rated guesthouse, hotel, and campground options near Fimmvorduhals.
