Hiking Holaskjol to Thorsmork or Landmannalaugar

Region: Highland
Coordinates: 63.9076661° N 18.6070822° W
Hiking time:
Difficulty: difficult
Length: 45 km
Elevation: m
Highest Point: m

This spectacular hiking trail and bridle path winds between mountains and glaciers and sparsely vegetated areas. It ranks among the most popular ones in the country and takes you through breathtaking landscapes and is not considered difficult for reasonably physically fit people.

The first stage, 6-7 kilometres, starts from the hut at Holaskjol. It lies along river Sydri-Ofaera to the so-called Silfurfoss or Litli-Gullfoss waterfall, and through a gorge to the renovated hut at lakes Alftavotn. An evening walk in this beautiful area is recommended. Hut Alftavotn

The second stage, about 20 kilometres, continues along river Sydri-Ofaera past a large natural stone bridge near the gully Thorsteinsgil, where a nice view over the valley Alftavatnskrokur opens up. From there to valley Ofaerudalur, where waterfalls cascade into Alftavatnskrokur. The Eldgja fissure is crossed westwards to the northerly slopes of Mts Svartahnjuksfjoll until Holmsarbotnar and Strutslaug are reached. After a refreshing bath in Strutslaug, it continues across Skofluklif or Krokagil to the Mountain Hut Strutur.

The third stage, about 18 kilometres, starts with hill Vedurhals with the forth larges icecap, Myrdalsjokull, on the left hand side. It continues across the alluvial plane Maelifellssandur, past gully Hrutagil, and the hills Skiptingaalda and Slysaalda. The branches of river Kaldaklofskvisl have to be forded to reach the old route between Mt Einstigisfjall and Mt Slettafell for an overnight stay in the hut Hvanngil. Hut Hvanngil

Continue Hiking to Landmannalaugar or Thorsmork

There, one has to decide, which way to continue. Either to Thorsmork in the south on the so-called Laugavegur trail, or on the same trail to Landmannalaugar in the north. Hikers to Thorsmork, continue south to Hut Fremri Botnar and hikers to Landamannalaugar, continue north to hut Hrafntinnusker.

Iceland Highland Hiking Trails

Huts in hiking area:
Holaskjol Mountain Hut
Utivist Mountain Hut Sveinstindur
Utivist Mountain Hut Skaelingar
Utivist Mountain Hut Strutur
Utivist Alftavotn hut
Emstrur huts
Thorsmork huts

Hiking Hólaskjól Þórsmörk in Icelandic

Hiking time: 2-3 days
Difficulty: difficult
Length: 45 km
Elevation: m
Highest Point: m

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