The Police Commissioner in South Iceland has warned travellers away from Þórsmörk Nature Reserve and the neighbouring Fjallabak Nature Reserve due to the extreme rain that is battering Iceland this week and causing severe swelling of rivers in the area.
The beautiful Þórsmörk nature reserve is located in Iceland’s south central highlands and the area is surrounded by glaciers, bursting glacial rivers and lush green valleys. Fjallabak nature reserve covers 45,000 hectares of the central highlands north of Eyjafjallajökull glacier. It includes popular destinations like the Landmannalaugar highland oasis and the popular hiking trail Laugavegurinn.
Þórsmörk is around 150 km (93 mi) from Reykavík. The drive to the reserve from the Ring Road (Highway 1) is around 32 km (20 mi). The route is a gravel road and only suitable for 4×4 vehicles as there are several unbridged rivers that must be crossed during the drive.
Read more: Dangerous rivers in South Iceland, precaution advised when crossing
This winter the cottages and huts in Þórsmörk nature reserve’s Húsadalur valley will be open through the winter months for the first time.
Crossing unbridged rivers
Be very careful while driving along mountain roads. Unbridged rivers can suddenly become dangerous due to weather conditions and a sudden increase in precipitation. Furthermore, crossing rivers can be quite dangerous, especially if travellers do not have the expertise and if they are driving small jeeps. When in doubt about whether to cross or not, a good rule to follow is: Do not drive into rivers that you would not attempt to wade into.
About the area
You can reach Þórsmörk by foot, The 25-kilometre-long (15.5 mile) hiking trail from Skógarfoss waterfall in South Iceland to Þórsmörk is very popular. Along the way, one traverses natural wonders such as Fimmvörðuháls, a pass between Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the Eyjafjalljökull glacier ice caps. Both glaciers are also among Iceland’s most active volcanoes.
Iceland’s most famous hiking trail, lies between Þórsmörk and Landmannalaugar nature reserve in the south central highlands. Due to it’s popularity the route is called Laugavegur, which is a reference to Reykjavík’s main shopping street. The route is 55 km (34.5 mi) and is usually done in three to five days. It is basically the whole spectrum of Iceland’s interior landscape compressed in one trip, taking you up and down beautiful desolate volcano hills, over bursting glacial rivers and clear blue water streams, alongside glaciers and rugged mountains, through lava fields, geothermal areas and green valleys.
Both hiking routes are first and foremost done late summer and early autumn and are currently impassable (closed) due to the bad weather.
Please keep in mind that the weather can be very unpredictable in Iceland. You should always submit a travel plan at safetravel.is if you are planning a long hike.
The Police Commissioner in South Iceland has warned travellers away from Þórsmörk Nature Reserve and the neighbouring Fjallabak Nature Reserve due to the extreme rain that is battering Iceland this week and causing severe swelling of rivers in the area.
The beautiful Þórsmörk nature reserve is located in Iceland’s south central highlands and the area is surrounded by glaciers, bursting glacial rivers and lush green valleys. Fjallabak nature reserve covers 45,000 hectares of the central highlands north of Eyjafjallajökull glacier. It includes popular destinations like the Landmannalaugar highland oasis and the popular hiking trail Laugavegurinn.
Þórsmörk is around 150 km (93 mi) from Reykavík. The drive to the reserve from the Ring Road (Highway 1) is around 32 km (20 mi). The route is a gravel road and only suitable for 4×4 vehicles as there are several unbridged rivers that must be crossed during the drive.
Read more: Dangerous rivers in South Iceland, precaution advised when crossing
This winter the cottages and huts in Þórsmörk nature reserve’s Húsadalur valley will be open through the winter months for the first time.
Crossing unbridged rivers
Be very careful while driving along mountain roads. Unbridged rivers can suddenly become dangerous due to weather conditions and a sudden increase in precipitation. Furthermore, crossing rivers can be quite dangerous, especially if travellers do not have the expertise and if they are driving small jeeps. When in doubt about whether to cross or not, a good rule to follow is: Do not drive into rivers that you would not attempt to wade into.
About the area
You can reach Þórsmörk by foot, The 25-kilometre-long (15.5 mile) hiking trail from Skógarfoss waterfall in South Iceland to Þórsmörk is very popular. Along the way, one traverses natural wonders such as Fimmvörðuháls, a pass between Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the Eyjafjalljökull glacier ice caps. Both glaciers are also among Iceland’s most active volcanoes.
Iceland’s most famous hiking trail, lies between Þórsmörk and Landmannalaugar nature reserve in the south central highlands. Due to it’s popularity the route is called Laugavegur, which is a reference to Reykjavík’s main shopping street. The route is 55 km (34.5 mi) and is usually done in three to five days. It is basically the whole spectrum of Iceland’s interior landscape compressed in one trip, taking you up and down beautiful desolate volcano hills, over bursting glacial rivers and clear blue water streams, alongside glaciers and rugged mountains, through lava fields, geothermal areas and green valleys.
Both hiking routes are first and foremost done late summer and early autumn and are currently impassable (closed) due to the bad weather.
Please keep in mind that the weather can be very unpredictable in Iceland. You should always submit a travel plan at safetravel.is if you are planning a long hike.
