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11th Jun 2025 - 15th Jun 2025
5 days/Iceland /Moderate to Challenging
Join us as we trek to Iceland’s Þórsmörk (Porsmork), the last part of the famous Laugavegur trail, considered by many, the most beautiful part. It is named after the Norse god Thor, situated between three glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Tindfjallajökull. To get there you need to cross several unbridged rivers, only reachable by large 4×4 vehicles.
Þórsmörk is regarded as “the hikers’ paradise” among Icelanders: breath-taking scenery, vast landscapes, and numerous trails to follow, you will immerse yourself into the purest Icelandic experience nature has on offer. In this relatively small area, you will be able to cross rivers, hike mountains, walk by lava fields, contemplate the uniqueness of a glacier, and get amazing views of this unique area.
You don’t have to fundraise to join an open challenge but you can support a charity of your choice if you wish. See the costs tab for more details.
This trek is graded moderate to challenging. You will be trekking long distances over varying terrain on consecutive days.
Iceland is a Nordic island sitting in the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean, just outside of the Arctic Circle. It is the most sparsely populated country in Europe and with its constantly active geologic border is littered with volcanoes, glaciers, mountains, geysers and lava fields.
Its capital Reykjavík, the world’s most northerly capital, is the heart of Iceland’s cultural, economic and governmental activity. Established as the first Icelandic settlement in 870 AD, Reykjavík has gone through many changes in its long and storied existence. It’s home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history. The striking concrete Hallgrímskirkja church with its rotating Perlan glass dome, and the modern glass honeycomb structure of the Harpa concert hall and conference centre are architectural marvels, offering sweeping views of the sea and nearby hills.
The minimum age is 18. It may be possible to participate if you are 16 or 17 years old but you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit. The ideal candidate would be fit, healthy and determined, open to adventure and adaptable to unexpected changes.
You will be accompanied by local guides who have an excellent knowledge of culture and hiking in the region. The guides are first aid trained and will support you throughout your journey. You will also be accompanied by a Different Travel Company UK tour manager.
Temperatures can typically peak to around 13°C during the day and drop to around 7°C at night however you must be prepared for variations to this which are out of our control. Weather during the adventure should be dry with light winds but rain is possible.
Please note: the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate but climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience uncharacteristic conditions during the trip which are out of our control. The guides will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and safety of the group.
You will stay in a in a mountain hut with dormitory style rooms for the duration of the trek. You will need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow.
You will be provided with plenty of hearty Icelandic meals which typically include fish and lamb and will keep your energy levels high for each day of discovery. Please inform us in advance if you have any dietary requirements.
If you do not already regularly exercise you should aim to start training (including plenty of hills) as early as possible. The best training is hill walking, which will prepare you for the type of terrain you will experience. Other activities which can complement hill walking include running, cycling, gym workouts, boot camps etc.
Building up your core and leg muscle strength is important so exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups, planks and crunches will really enhance your training. These exercises can be done at home – no gym needed. You can download a number of free apps, which will help you train and track your progress, e.g. MapMyWalk, C25K (couch to 5k run), MyFitnessPal (for a variety of sports).
You must take your training seriously and arrive as fit as you can be, so you get the most out of this challenge.
UK – Reykjavik – Porsmork
Fly from London to Reykjavik and transfer to our base in Porsmork (approx 3 hr drive). If time permits we’ll enjoy a short introductory hike this afternoon.
Overnight: Mountain hut
Meals: Dinner
Porsmork Tindfjoll Circle
After breakfast we set off on a scenic trail with incredible views over the glacial surroundings. For those who wish there is a chance to climb Mt Rjupnafell before completing the loop back to our hut for a well-deserved dinner.
Overnight: Mountain hut
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek: approx.14-16km
Ascent: 450m Descent : 450m
Porsmork – Fimmvorduhals
We head up into the hills and cross the Fimmvorduhals Pass, walking along the Kattarhryggir Ridges, finishing with a view across to the lava stream that flowed from the Fimmvorduhals Volcano that erupted in 2010. As we gain height above Morinsheidi we reach the lava field and two craters Magni and Modi that erupted prior to the main Eyjafjallajokull Crater. Return to the hut later this afternoon
Overnight: Mountain hut
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek: approx. 18km
Ascent: 1000m Descent: 1000m
Porsmork – Reykjavik
This morning we climb the small mountain of Valahnukur and enjoy its breathtaking views over the surrounding landscape. After descending to Song Cave and Husadalur we head back to Langidalur and take the bus back to Reykjavik. Celebration farewell dinner in town this evening,
Overnight: Mountain Hut
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trek: approx. 6km
Ascent: 200m Descent: 200m
Reykjavik – UK
Today we take the flight home back to London.
Meals: Breakfast
N.B. This itinerary may change due to weather, the ability of the group and so on. We will do our best to keep to the itinerary but we cannot be held responsible for changes outside of our control. In all circumstances your guide and tour leader will have the final say in the interest health and safe
Registration fee: £375 and then either…
Self-funded: £1,975
or
Sponsorship: £3,950
or
Flexi: £1,975 trip costs and £1,975 sponsorship for a charity* of your choice
This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves. There is no sponsorship required although if you wish to raise sponsorship for a charity you are welcome to do so.
This option is for those who wish to raise sponsorship to cover both the costs of the trip (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) and a donation to their chosen charity. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each trip that you are required to raise in order to participate.
This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves while still raising some funds for the charity.
*If your chosen charity is not on this list, please seek permission to fundraise for them by taking part in this challenge before making your booking.
If you’ve a question about this challenge that you can’t find the answer to within the given information then complete this quick form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
