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- Skógafoss and the waterfall chain — The hike kicks off under one of Iceland’s most dramatic single-drop waterfalls; the roar, constant spray and often-present rainbows make for an instant “I’m in Iceland” moment. There’s also a stair path up the side that gives you a different perspective of the valley and the smaller cascades that tumble down from the highlands.
- The 2010 lava field and Magni & Móði craters — You literally walk through fresh volcanic terrain created during the Eyjafjallajökull eruption: sharp lava, black glassy flows, and two raw little craters named after Thor’s sons. It feels otherworldly — my personal favorite on the trail, because few hikes let you inspect brand-new geology and still smell that scorched-earth vibe.
- The high pass with glacier panoramas — Near the summit
- Skógafoss and the waterfall chain — The hike kicks off under one of Iceland’s most dramatic single-drop waterfalls; the roar, constant spray and often-present rainbows make for an instant “I’m in Iceland” moment. There’s also a stair path up the side that gives you a different perspective of the valley and the smaller cascades that tumble down from the highlands.
- The 2010 lava field and Magni & Móði craters — You literally walk through fresh volcanic terrain created during the Eyjafjallajökull eruption: sharp lava, black glassy flows, and two raw little craters named after Thor’s sons. It feels otherworldly — my personal favorite on the trail, because few hikes let you inspect brand-new geology and still smell that scorched-earth vibe.
- The high pass with glacier panoramas — Near the summit the trail opens up to wide views of the ice caps (Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull) and long lowlands below, a dramatic contrast of black sand, snow and green valleys. On a clear day the scale is jaw-dropping — you can see how the glaciers dominate the landscape in a way most lowland hikes never do.
- Þórsmörk valley — the lush oasis — After the barren high pass, descending into Þórsmörk feels like arriving somewhere protected: birch woods, moss carpets, and sheltered river channels. The contrast between the windswept highland and this microclimate makes the end of the route uniquely satisfying for camping or a long, lazy lunch.
- Glacial rivers, braided fords and narrow canyons — The trail forces you to cross braided glacial streams and squeeze through rocky defiles, which adds a real sense of adventure and keeps the terrain varied. These water crossings and the small canyon sections give the hike a proper backcountry feel — bring waterproof boots or be ready to ford.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.