Fimmvörðuháls: The best hike in Iceland

Get ready for the most amazing hike of your life.

Starting at the famous Skogafoss waterfall, continue to begin the 25 km Fimmvörðuháls pass. Go up the staircase from Skogafoss to find a well defined path. Follow along the river to pass 26 beautiful waterfalls surrounded by rolling green terrain. Around 8 km (5 miles), you will cross a small bridge. The bridge is very narrow and can only take one person at a time, and according to my guide can sometimes flood. At this point in the hike, you will notice the green landscape changes to rocky and ridged. 

After crossing the bridge, you will approach a sign. Keep to the right along the river. From here, you will begin your ascent up Eyjafjallajökull (that volcano that erupted in 2010). Continue on the trail, with marked poles, to the Baldursskali Hut. If you intend to split this hike up into two days, then continue on the the  Fimmvörðuskáli Hut. You have to reserve a spot here in advance. There is a bathroom located here, and someone who manages the hut in the summer, similar to a ranger. This is the halfway point and the highest altitude; you will now be trekking through snow. This part can be tricky as the trail is covered. 

Continue up the mountain, and you will begin to see lava fields formed from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull. Then you will reach the craters, Magni and Móði. There will be a mix of snow and gravel, with little vegetation. You will have a view of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier in the distance. From here, it's all downhill. A beautiful view of Þórsmörk greets you as you descend. 

The path will reappear from the snow. Continue along until you reach a ridge, with a rock face on one side. Make your way on this narrow path, until you get to the plateau. Note the sign at the beginning of the plateau to point you in the direction to the valley of Þórsmörk. Continue along the Cat's spine ridge in to the valley. The terrain will begin to look green again, with wildflowers appearing. The deep canyons and steep mountains are impressive and unworldly. Along the path, you will find wooden steps on the steeper parts of the trail. Continue through the valley and enjoy the end of the hike. Along the riverbeds, you will end your trek at the campsite. There are restrooms, and a waiting point for the shuttle to take you back to Reykjavik. 

* If you are traveling from Reykjavik, it takes about 2 hours to get to Skogafoss. My advice is to set up transportation ahead of time. There are shuttles you can buy tickets for in advance to be dropped off and picked up.