Small-Group Day Trip to Thorsmork and Eyjafjallajokull from Reykjavik

Explore Thorsmork (Þórsmörk), Thor’s valley, a place dear to all who visit it, and Eyjafjallajokull (Eyjafjallajökull) the volcano that captured international attention! You will be picked up in the morning from your hotel in Reykjavik (pick up is also available from Hveragerdi (Hveragerði), Selfoss, Hella and Hvolsvollur (Hvolsvöllur) if requested, and travel south-east through the mountain pass and Hellisheidi (Hellisheiði) plateau towards the town of Hveragerdi (Hveragerði). A geothermal hot bed, the surrounding hills are full of active steam vents and the town is known for it’s greenhouses which are heated by hot water from volcanic hot springs.

You will soon find yourself further east in the town of Selfoss, which was settled by Þórir Ásason. Iceland’s first known settler, was also said to have spent the winter of 873-74 “under Mt. Ingólfsfell west of the Olfusa (Ölfusá) river”.

Your next waypoint is the charming town of Hella, situated on the banks of one of the best salmon rivers of the country. You will visit the Saga Centre dedicated to Njál’s Saga, and learn that South Iceland is rich in saga history. Here you will turn off the ring road towards Thorsmork (Þórsmörk). You’ll get a brief glimpse of the impressive Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which you will explore on the way back. It is possible to walk up into the recess behind the thundering torrent of water.

Named after the Norse god Thor, Thorsmork (Þórsmörk) richly deserves it’s reputation as the “Valley of the gods”. Soon the road ends and the highland tracks begin, the Super Jeeps make easy work of fording flowing rivers that would be impossible in a normal vehicle.

Next you will stop at the base of Gigjokull (Gígjökull) glacier before taking a hike along trails and into river canyons in this idyllic park setting. You’ll be able to take time to explore the magnificent canyon of Stakkholtsgja (Stakkholtsgjá).

Thorsmork (Þórsmörk) is the place where you can best appreciate the incredible mix of glaciers, rocks and wooded areas (woods are a bit of a rarity in Iceland!) Finally after an Invigorating day, you will head back to the big city.