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If you are hiking, then you can get to us when you hike the Fimmvörðurháls trail from Skógar or the Laugavegur trail from Landmannalaugar.
Apart from that, the best and easiest way is to take the Highland Bus either from Reykjavík or any other designated stop before getting to Road 249. Find your bus tickets HERE
Just as with many things in life a 4x4 is not the same as a modified 4x4.
We have seen hundreds of vehicles getting stuck even in the smallest rivers in Þórsmörk and we would not like you to be added to the list.
What is considered a nonsuitable 4x4?
What is a snorkel? It is the car’s breathing device that is attached to modified cars, it is not something that you can take and put back again like in humans, it is a mechanical art!
When you come to Iceland you will see those modified Jeeps all around. Modified with snorkel and huge tires! Some of them have also been lengthened to room more people in them. Why not spend an adventure with more friends and family.
Why big tires?
Think about crossing a river on foot, or going into the ocean. It is not an issue to just walk next to the shore and dip your toes when the water level is low. But when you get in deeper and the water covers some part of your body, then walking becomes difficult and you might even start floating.
The same happens with the cars, when the tires are bigger than the water level, it will not be a problem - sometimes- to cross the rivers. But if the tires are small, there are bigger changes that the car will just float, flip over, and be taken away.
You get the idea.
One of the vehicles recommended to come to us is the classic Land Rover Defender.
But even if you have a large vehicle, you can get into an accident.
How to prevent it from happening?
Why rent a “proper 4x4” car?
Because we never know the conditions of the rivers in Þórsmörk. Sometimes they have more water than other times and your car can become a boat, which is not what they are made for unless someone starts inventing a 4x4 vehicle that becomes a boat.
The easiest way to get to Þórsmörk and not think about the type of car to rent, or the conditions of the rivers is just to book a transfer service from Reykajvík, Hvolsvöllur or Brú Base (nearby Seljalandsfoss).
That way, you will just sit back and relax while an experienced Super Jeep driver takes you along the highlands towards Þórsmörk.
Extra notes: The hike from the Krossá parking lot on Húsadalur side to the Volcano Huts is ~3km.
The end of the Fimmvörðuháls trail is Básar which is ~6km from Húsadalur (where the Volcano Huts are located).
In order to get to the Volcano Huts you need to hike. There is not a scheduled transfer service going from Básar to Húsadalur but you could always give our reception a phone call and check if we are available to transfer you.
Al alternative is to book a transfer service from Básar-Brú Base (option 1 here) and ask the driver to drop you off in Húsadalur.
The start of the Fimmvörðuháls trail is Básar which is ~6km from Húsadalur (where the Volcano Huts are located).
To get there, you could ask at our reception if there is a transfer service available or you could also hike.
There are two options for transfer service from Skógar:
Private bus company
One departure a day in the morning, usually at around 10:00 am. The bus makes a long stop (6 hours) in Hvolsvöllur and takes you to BSI Bus station. The tickets for this bus are bought here (option 2).
Public bus company
The departure later in the day makes several stops on the way towards Reykjavík. The last stop is in Mjódd bus station in Reykjavík. Check the schedule and buy the bus tickets on Strætó website.
It is sometimes confusing to choose the right departure/arrival location in Þórsmörk.
Þórsmörk is a large area in the highlands of Iceland. We can think of it as an estate/county and the different locations in it as cities/towns.
Interesting facts:
When the Krossá river has plenty of water, the footbridge cannot sometimes be put on it. However, the river is less wide on the Langidalur side.
If there is no bridge on the Húsadalur side, you could hike to Langidalur to cross over.
Note that there will be other streams of water along the way, have your gear ready to avoid getting too wet!
The hike from the Krossá parking lot on Húsadalur side to the Volcano Huts is ~3km.
All types of accommodation at the Volcano Huts are within walking distance from each other. It might take you about 2 minutes to reach your friends.
The shower and toilet facilities are within walking distance from the Glamping tents, and the cottages.
There is a shared toilet for those staying in the private rooms, and at the mountain huts. The showers are within walking distance.
There are two options for getting to the start/end of the trail.
The instructions on how to book your seat are in the ticket that comes after paying for the pass.
You will have to send an email with the departure date, location, and the return date and location.
From Þórsmörk and/or from Skógar (for those who want to extend the hike and do the Fimmvörðurháls trail.
You can shower in the huts that have showers available, some huts do not have any shower facilities. Where showers are available there is a small fee to use them.
Some huts have flushable toilets, others have outhouses.
There will be running cold water in all the huts. You will need to heat water to get hot water.
There is a private room upgrade available in Þórsmörk at the Volcano Huts. The rest of the mountain huts have no private rooms available, all rooms are dormitories.
We recommend bringing a power bank to charge your electronic devices. The huts do not have electricity. There is a slight chance the wardens will be able to charge for you for a fee of ISK 500.
It is not possible to connect to WiFi in any of the huts but at the Volcano Huts. You might be able to connect to 4G in some of them as well as along the trail.
Phone connection can be unstable on the trail and you might have to go to the nearest hilltop to find a network.
You will have to transport all your luggage in between huts/campsites. Try to keep your pack as light as possible but still take what you need but maybe not all that you want! Pack your spare clothes and sleeping bag in a dry bag or plastic bags. Pay good attention to your hiking shoes and make sure that they are waterproof, worn in, and up for the task ahead.
If you wish to have a luggage transfer during the trail, please book it directly with our partners from South Coast Adventures HERE
If you have extra luggage that you won’t be needing on the trek, we recommend storing it in Reykjavík. Luggage Lockers offers the option to keep your bags in different locations in Reykjavík.
We recommend that you have your hiking boots and a set of thermal layer in your carry-on when traveling to Iceland in case your luggage gets lost on the flight.
Once you are in the process of buying the bus tickets to Landmannalaugar, you will have the option of buying “luggage transfer” which means that your bags will be taken from BSI bus station all the way to Þórsmörk.
If you would like to enjoy a beer, a glass of wine or a soda or juice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) after a long day of hiking, then please bring this along on the tour since there will not be many (if any) chances to buy them in the highlands.
Pro tip: There is alcohol for sale at the Volcano Huts restaurant, the bar is open from 8:00-23:00 for those early birds.
The Laugavegur Hiking Trail is truly a rewarding trek in good conditions but keep in mind that weather, bad luck and insufficient preparation can change your journey into a bad experience. Mobile service is available on some parts of the trail but very limited in others. Electricity to charge mobile phones is not available, except at the Volcano Huts in Þórsmörk.
Weather is a deciding factor and can change very quickly. Very strong winds with heavy rain, hail, fog and even snow can occur with little warning. Sudden change in weather may cause a severe drop or rise in temperature. Always check the weather forecast and make sure that you stay warm, and that your equipment and clothes stay dry in your pack.
Most outdoor-related fatalities in Iceland are related to cold and bad weather, resulting in hypothermia.
Sudden rain or rise in temperature may cause flash floods in streams and rivers. Wait for other travellers to come by if you are unsure about crossing a river. Learn how to cross rivers before you go. Google it, then practice!
Wandering away from the trail can be rewarding in some places but be sure to find your way back to the marked trail. Make sure someone knows about your travel plans and stick to the plan, or inform someone about changes to your plan.
We strongly advise all travellers to list their travel plans online with Safetravel.is and even download the Icelandic emergency App 112 for smartphones.
You can also sign your name at a safety list in all the huts along the trail but listing with Safe Travel a far better way to ensure your safety.
Follow these steps and ensure your safety
Share your safety tips & stories with other travellers on our Facebook page
As our shuttle service starts at 8:00 am, we then suggest for you to return the vehicle the day before your flight. You would then have to hire another shuttle service from Reykjavik or Keflavík area to the airport on the day of your flight.
The delivery and return of the vehicles is at our outlet located in the Capital Area. We offer a shuttle service from/to the airport and our outlet on a daily basis.
We prefer delivering the vehicle at our outlet to being able to teach you properly how to handle the car and finalize the paperwork.
Further Questions? You should now be prepared for your upcoming highland adventure. If you have any questions then please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]
+354 419 4000