Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CAR
You cannot drive all the way into Þórsmörk with your private vehicle. End of story. If you
have your own 4WD with excellent clearance, you can plough down Rtes 249 and F249
until you reach the crossroads for Húsadalur and Básar at the Krossá river. It's there that
you must leave your car - you will not be able to ford the gushing river unless you're driv-
ing a super-Jeep and know what you're doing. The buses that serve Þórsmörk are special
amphibious vehicles outfitted to pass the deep river and boulder-littered ravines. If you
park at the crossroads, you can hitch with the bus (Ikr2000 per person) or a super-Jeep.
HIKING
Þórsmörk is usually the terminus of the popular
Laugavegurinn hike
, with the beginning at
Landmannalaugar. It's also popular to reach Þórsmörk from Skógar on the beautiful
Fim-
mvörðuháls
hike. If you are planning to reach Þórsmörk by foot we recommend one of
these; walking along Rtes 249 and F249 from Seljalandsfoss is far less scenic.
It takes around 30 minutes to walk between Langidalur and Húsadalur on the shortest
path.
Skógar to Vík
As the Ring Road arcs east from Skógar to Vík the haunches of the foothills rise to the gla-
ciers, mountaintops and volcanoes inland, while rivers descend from mysterious gorges,
and coarse across the broad sweep of pastures to black-sand beaches and the crashing
ocean. This rural area may be dotted with farmhouses (many of which have guesthouses),
but considering the volume of summertime visitors, it still feels alternately dramatic and
pastoral.
Sights
Sólheimajökull
GLACIER
One of the easiest glacial tongues to reach is Sólheimajökull. This icy tongue unfurls from
the main Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and is a favourite spot for glacial walks and ice climbing.
A 4.2km rutted dirt track (Rte 221) leads off the Ring Road to a small car park and
Cafe
Solheimajökull
( 852 2052;snacks Ikr820-1500; 10am-6pm May-Sep, reduced hours Oct-
