Thors is a distinctive region in the southern Icelandic Highlands, shaped by volcanic activity and glacial retreats. Its landscape features a unique blend of rugged terrain, verdant birch woodlands, and winding glacial rivers. Cradled between three prominent glaciers, Thors offers a microclimate that supports diverse ecosystems, making it a compelling area for outdoor pursuits. The region provides opportunities for several sports like road cycling, touring cycling, and hiking.
Thors presents numerous routes for outdoor enthusiasts,…
25
Routes
4.1
(21)
Average rating
151
People visited

4.6
(5)
12
riders
59.4km
03:37
530m
530m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(4)
12
riders
17.8km
01:03
100m
100m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
11
riders
58.3km
03:26
370m
370m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.8
(5)
7
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
13
hikers
8.07km
02:17
170m
160m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1.0
(1)
7
hikers
3.58km
00:58
50m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
hikers
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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10
riders
46.5km
02:15
610m
610m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

7
riders
58.7km
02:33
520m
520m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

13
riders
52.4km
02:25
550m
550m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

7
riders
63.6km
03:16
400m
400m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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Thors (Þórsmörk) is a natural reserve located in the southern Icelandic Highlands. Its landscape is shaped by volcanic activity and glacial retreats, situated between the Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull glaciers. The region features a mix of rugged wilderness, birch woodlands, and glacial rivers.
Thors offers opportunities for hiking, road cycling, and touring cycling. The region is well-known for its extensive network of hiking trails. Mountain biking is also developing, with designated trails in areas like Húsadalur.
Popular hiking trails include the Valahnúkur hike, which is about 1.6 miles (2.5 km) and offers panoramic views. The Stakkholtsgjá canyon walk leads to a hidden waterfall. For more options, explore Hiking around Thors.
Yes, Thors is a key point for multi-day treks. The Laugavegur Trail connects Thors with Landmannalaugar, spanning approximately 34 miles (55 km) over 3 to 4 days. The Fimmvörðuháls Trail is another challenging 15.5-mile (25 km) route linking Thors to Skógar.
Road cycling in Thors is generally more feasible on major routes outside the immediate area due to the prevalence of rough F-roads. However, komoot provides a guide for specific routes. For detailed options, refer to Road Cycling Routes around Thors.
A network of designated bike trails has been under development in Thors since 2018. As of July 2025, approximately 3 miles (5 km) of bike trails exist, including routes like TM-86 and TM-87 in the Húsadalur area. The Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails are also considered challenging routes for experienced mountain bikers.
Thors features several notable natural attractions. These include the Magni and Móði craters, formed during the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption, and impressive gorges like Stakkholtsgjá canyon with its hidden waterfall. Peaks such as Valahnúkur Mountain offer panoramic views.
Komoot offers several guides for exploring Thors. These include Hiking around Thors, Road Cycling Routes around Thors, and Cycling around Thors. These guides provide detailed information on routes and activities.
The Thors region has an average rating of 4.48 out of 5 stars from more than 200 visitors on komoot. This rating reflects the positive experiences of users who have explored the area's outdoor activities.
For information and bookings related to accommodation and activities within Thors, Volcano Huts Þórsmörk serves as a central point. Their official website is www.volcanotrails.com and their phone number is +354 419 4000.
Thors is unique due to its dramatic landscape, combining lush vegetation with rugged volcanic and glacial features. Its location between glaciers creates a milder microclimate, fostering birch woodlands amidst stark volcanic terrain. The interplay of ice, fire, and water results in constantly changing scenery.
Thors offers trails for various skill levels, including shorter hikes like the Valahnúkur hike, which is around 1.6 miles (2.5 km). While some multi-day treks are challenging, shorter nature walks are available. Specific beginner-friendly cycling routes are developing within the designated bike trail network.
Accessing Thors can be challenging due to numerous winding glacial rivers, such as the Krossá, Þröngá, and Markarfljót. These rivers often require specially equipped vehicles or guided tours to cross. The area is also characterized by rough, unpaved F-roads.

