The Tindfjöll Circle Hiking Trail
The Tindfjöll ("Tindar" means "peaks" in Icelandic) are volcanic mountains located beneath the Tindfjallajökull glacier in the stunning Thórsmörk valley. While these mountains are volcanic, it’s worth noting that the last eruption occurred 52,000 years ago, characterized by pyroclastic flows.
The Tindfjöll Circle hike is one of the most beautiful in the Thórsmörk region, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Tindfjöll peaks and other incredible scenery in Thórsmörk.
How to Get to Tindfjöll
To embark on the Tindfjöll Circle hike, you first need to reach the Thórsmörk valley. The best time to visit is during the summer, ideally between July and August.
There are three ways to get to Thórsmörk:
- By bus
- With an organized excursion
By 4x4
Starting from Seljalandsfoss, take the F249 trail. While the beginning of the route is smooth, it gets trickier as you approach the Markarfljót river, with numerous deep fords to navigate.
For those traveling by 4x4, note that access is challenging. You can't make it with a regular rental SUV because several river fords, including Krossa—one of Iceland’s most difficult to cross—lie ahead. Without a well-equipped 4x4, crossing is not recommended.
By Bus
Taking the bus is likely the easiest and safest option. From June 10 to September 15, buses from Reykjavík to Þórsmörk run daily, stopping at Hveragerði, Hella, Selfoss, Hvolsvöllur, and the Seljalandsfoss parking lot.
Companies like Volcan Huts and Reykjavik Excursions offer bus tickets. While most visitors stay for the day, it’s possible to camp or stay in huts.
In Thórsmörk, there are several bus stops:
- Husadalur
- Langidalur
- Básar
With an Organized Excursion
You can also visit the valley with a guided tour:
- Full day Super Jeep tour of Thorsmork from Hvollsvöllur
- Full day Super Jeep tour of Thorsmork from Reykjavík
The Tindfjoll Circle Hiking Trail
The Tindfjöll Circle follows the orange-marked trail.
You can start the hike from either:
- Husadalur (13.5 km)
- Langidalur (9.5 km)
While Langidalur is the official starting point, many hikers prefer to begin in Husadalur (the famed Volcano Huts) as the bus ride between the two camps takes 45 minutes, yet only requires a 2 km walk on foot.
Given the incredible scenery that lies between the camps, we recommend starting at Husadalur if you're up for a bit of extra walking.
The Tindfjöll Circle hike is known for some of the most stunning views in Thórsmörk.
For those starting from Husadalur, you’ll walk 2 km to Langidalur along paths surrounded by birch trees, following the blue trail south to Langidalur.
The trail officially begins behind the Langidalur hut, near the meandering Krossa river. After walking a few hundred meters over stones, the trail splits in two.
The meaning of the Tindfjöll Circle loop
At the trail split, a small orange sign offers two options: follow the meanders of the Krossa river or head uphill into the woods. We recommend starting with the more scenic option by heading into the woods toward Tindfjallahringur.
The climb is moderately steep but pleasant, and the trail is well-marked, making it easy to follow the orange stakes.
After about a kilometer, you’ll reach the mountainside, where the landscape shifts to less vegetation and a magnificent view of northern Thórsmörk.
As you proceed along the mountainside, the path can get a bit narrow and slippery, but this is the only challenging part of the hike.
After passing Tindfjallagil mountain, you'll arrive at the small Tröllakirkja cave, a rock formation whose name means "troll church." It's easy to see why!
A few hundred meters further, you'll reach a plateau, about halfway through the hike, offering incredible views of Mount Rjúpnafell and the winding Krossa river, with Myrdalsjökull glacier in the background.
For those feeling adventurous, you can branch off to climb Mount Rjúpnafell, but note that this will add an additional 6 km (3 km each way) to the hike.
The splendid Rjúpnafell for the bravest who wish to climb it
From the plateau, you’ll face a steep climb of about 300 meters to reach the main viewpoint and the highest point of the hike. The reward is a stunning 360° panorama of the Krossá river, Myrdalsjökull glacier, Mount Rjúpnafell, and, in the distance, Katla and Eyjafjallajökull. Truly one-of-a-kind!
The 360° panorama halfway
From the summit, the hike is mostly downhill toward Langidalur. The first part of the descent is a 2 km walk through lush vegetation until you reach the Krossá river.
The last 2 km follow the meanders of the river on a rocky path, leading you back to Langidalur.
The official Tindfjöll Circle hike from Langidalur is 9.5 km and takes about 2.5 hours. If you start from Husadalur, the total hike is 13.5 km, taking about 3.5 hours.
For those adding the Rjúpnafell climb to their hiking excursion, expect an additional 6 km and two extra hours.
In any case, this hike is a must-do in Þórsmörk. Even the shortest version offers some of the most beautiful views Iceland has to offer.
Accommodation: Where to stay in Þórsmörk
Langidalur
If you’re planning to spend a few days hiking, it’s worth staying overnight in Þórsmörk.
Volcano Huts, located in Husadalur, has a stellar reputation and offers a range of accommodations, from tent camping to glamping and cabins. The on-site restaurant and bar are perfect for unwinding after a day of adventure.
Learn more about Volcano Huts and book your stay:
