This hidden gem in Iceland offers a raw connection to Iceland as it should be: wild and free. The lush green landscape sits on pitch-black lava formations and is looked over by a mighty glacier. Thakgil is a canyon that has everything you need, and if you are a fan of hiking and haven’t heard of it yet, this article is for you.
Introduction to Thakgil
As you probably already know, this country is well-known for being a heaven for hikers. The national parks in Iceland and many protected nature areas are riddled with hiking trails that range from short hour-long hikes to week-long exploration missions. Thakgil is one of the must-visit places that offer perfect day hikes for the adventurous.
The area is nestled in the many mountain ridges in connection to the mighty Katla Volcano. These mountain ridges are the results of many volcanic eruptions that laid the foundations and glacial tongues that carved out the valleys between them. Here, you’ll come across beautiful landscapes and otherworldly scenery when exploring the hiking trails around Thakgil.
Where Does the Name Come From?
The real spelling is Þakgil, which consists of the words “Þak”, which means “roof”, and “gil” which is a word for “canyon”. The name comes from the huge moss-covered lava-rock walls that encompass the area. Despite many visitors reading it as Pakgil in Iceland, the letter “Þ” sounds like the first “th” in “thanks”, translating it to Thakgil if you write it in English.
Where is Thakgil?
You will find Thakgil in the southern part of Iceland at the foot of Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. It is on the southeastern area of the glacier, not far from Ring Road 1 and roughly 20 kilometers northeast of the town of Vík.
How Do I Get to Thakgil?
Even though this is a popular place for hiking in Iceland, there aren’t many guided tours coming here, so your best option is to drive yourself.
To get here from Reykjavik, you need to drive Ring Road 1, heading east for about 170 kilometers, and turn on the gavel road to your left towards Katla Geopark. Continue the gravel road through the geopark and stay close to the river Stóra-Laxá on your left. The campground is literally at the end of this road, so you can’t drive too far.
This route is approximately 210 kilometers and will take just over 3 hours to drive. It makes it a great ending to a south coast drive in Iceland, so take your time and stop at the many sights along the way.
It’s a good idea to make this a part of a longer drive with a sleepover along the way. However, since the road ends with a long gravel road into the mountains, you should either take it easy with a 2WD or rent a 4x4 just to be safe. It’s a little bumpy in some places, so regardless of what you choose, you need a car with a little bit of air between the ground and the undercarriage.
If you want to be taken via a tour, you must book a private tour, either from Vík or Reykjavik.
Thakgil Camping
The base of the area is the campgrounds at the southern end of the canyon where you can either pitch a tent, park a campervan or RV, or book one of the cozy cabins.
The campgrounds offer all the amenities you will need, and the dining area is quite exceptional since it is a naturally formed cave completely remade into an outdoor dining hall. In the evenings, this cave becomes really cozy as it is lit up by candles and heated by a fireplace. A perfect ending to a long day of hiking.
The Þakgil campsite provides waste tank discharge for the RVs and campervans, warm showers, outdoor dishwashing facilities, WCs, and a tranquil atmosphere. Since this area is well-protected by its surroundings, it’s one of the spots in the country that is almost unaffected by the otherwise harsh Icelandic wind.
Thakgil campground is open over the summer and normally closes on the 15th of September. If you’d like to come earlier or later, simply contact the owners and talk to them, they’re more than happy to keep it open a little longer or open a little earlier for you.
Camping here costs 2,400 ISK per night for anyone aged 12 years and older. If you have kids between 12 and 16 years of age, they only pay for the first night. Renting a cabin comes at a cost of 25,000 ISK per night, but you will be able to sleep 4 in each cabin and have your own WC, gas stove, fridge, and cold water in the tap. If you want to take a warm shower, it’s only a short walk to the campsite next to the cabins.
Hiking Trails in Thakgil
Hiking in Thakgil is the name of the game and the best reason to visit. There are three main hiking trails in the area with names and color codes. The colors don’t relate to any difficulty, only the markings on the trail map.
Austurafréttur Range – The Yellow Trail
The longest trail of them all is almost 17 kilometers long but offers amazing views at the top of the Thakgil Canyon. This hiking trail will take you north along the western side of Thakgil on an ATV/Jeep track for a while until you reach the base of Leynir Mountain.
From there, you continue north towards Huldujökull where you can make a detour to get to the Huldujökull Lookout. This is highly recommended but will add 3 kilometers and between 1-3 hours to your hike.
After that, the trail loops around the canyon, making it the most scenic of the Þakgil Hiking Trails. You will head south, following the yellow trail markings, and eventually cross the purple trail that you can use as a shortcut to head back to camp if you’re tired. The yellow trail continues south until you reach a flat valley, and you can head west to the gravel road that leads back to camp.
Even though this isn’t the hardest trail, it’s a challenging route to take, so it’s important that you either hike with someone experienced or have some experience yourself. This trail can take up to 8 hours if you enjoy stopping for views but will normally take around 6 hours to complete, minus the detour.
Mælifell – The Red Trail
This is not the longest trail but is generally considered the most difficult one since it contains a couple of steep areas and river crossings. Parts of the trail are unmarked, so bring a map from the camp. This trail should only be chosen if you have some experience with hiking in rough terrain.
The first part of the trail, the eastern part, is the same as the yellow trail. It follows an off-road ATV/Jeep track going north until you reach the base of Leynir Mountain. It then turns left and up on the side of the 791-meter-high Mælifell Mountain. You can choose to climb the mountain at this point, but that will add at least an hour to your hike.
From here, you continue south, down the mountainside, and up on the ridge of the 463-meter-high Bard Mountain. This part of the hike is the most exposed and requires you to walk a narrow path along the thin ridge of the mountain. Keep an eye on your feet as you walk and stay cautious of loose rocks. As you reach the river at the bottom of the mountain, simply head east along the river until you reach the road, heading north, that leads back to camp.
This whole hike should take 4 hours if you’re not in a rush and 5 hours if you decide to climb Mælifell or struggle to cross the river. The hike is “only” 14 kilometers long, so it’s not the distance that takes time, it’s the tough terrain.
Remundargil Canyon Loop – The Purple Trail
Being the shortest trail of roughly 12.5 kilometers, the purple trail is a bit less challenging and usually takes between 3-5 hours to hike. This route will allow you to see the Remundargil Canyon as well as the stunning Remundargilsfoss Waterfall.
The purple trail takes you straight east of the camp and right into the Remundargil Canyon where you walk inside the canyon until you reach the waterfall. From there, you go back and around the mountain to your east and do a similar route in and out of the neighboring canyon before you head back along the Láguhvolar flatland. Follow the edges of the mountains, going west, until you reach the gravel road that leads back to camp.
The challenging part of this hike is in the canyons where you must maneuver your way around tricky terrain. It’s the most forgiving hike for non-experienced hikers and it’s marked clearly all the way. Another positive aspect of this hike is that it’s less exposed to the elements in the canyons, so it’s a good choice if you want to get away from the wind for a bit.
The Ravine Walk – Not Quite a Hike
If you want to spend just an hour on a hike, heading straight north through the Thakgil Ravine is going to be a good option. It’s more of a walk than a hike and you’ll be protected from the wind all the way. It’s roughly 1 kilometer long, single-way, and usually takes between 40-90 minutes depending on how often you stop.
What to Think of When Hiking at Thakgil
Apart from the basics of leaving the moss alone and keeping to the hiking trails, you only need to keep to the basics of hiking here. There are two important things to keep in mind when hiking in Thakgil: safety and packing.
Keeping Safe
Unless you decide to sit in the camp and only do the Ravine Walk, these tips will help keep you safe on your hike:
Don’t hike alone
Bring a map and compass so you don’t get lost
Check the weather before you go
Make sure you have enough food and water for your adventure
What to Pack
Being halfway through a hike and realizing you’ve forgotten some key items is always a pain. Follow this packing checklist to make sure you have the basics with you on your Thakgil Iceland adventure:
Wind- and waterproof clothing: You don’t want to get caught in the rain with the wrong clothing. There are no Piña Coladas in the Highlands.
Sturdy and waterproof hiking boots: River crossings and unsteady ground are common features at Thakgil.
Flashlight or headlamp: Maybe not necessary in the middle of summer, but it is worth it in case you stay out too long or end up in trouble.
Food and drink: Hiking rough terrain for half a day is enough to make anyone hungry.
Trekking poles: You might not think you’ll need them, but they are incredibly handy in many situations.
First aid kit: This is one of those “rather have and not need than need and not have”- kind of things.
Sunglasses: You might not think they are needed, but they will make things a lot easier on the eyes.
A backpack: Preferably one that can comfortably hold extra clothes, food and drinks, and emergency supplies.
When is the Best Time to Visit Thakgil?
Thakgil is one of the spots you want to visit in the summer months. It’s basically Icelandic Highlands, but not the part that is kitted to receive visitors all year round. The summer will provide the best weather and the best scenery: the flowers are blooming, the grass and moss are lush and green, and the sun will shine for many hours of the day.
The summer in Iceland will also offer the best options for Thakgil photos since nature is alive to its fullest. Breathtaking views over the Thakgil Canyon and the mountain ridges around it perform well when the sun shines and you can have a clear view of the area.
Thakgil – A Hidden Gem in Iceland
There are few true hidden gems left, but Thakgil in Iceland is one of them. These stunning views and long hiking trails will show you the best side of the wild Icelandic nature. If you are a fan of hiking, this must be on your to-do list for your Iceland holiday. So, rent a car in Iceland and head out on your adventures along the south coast and into the Highlands!
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