Getting to Fimmvörðuháls: Buses, Skógar & Þórsmörk

Fimmvörðuháls is a point-to-point hike — you start at one trailhead and finish at another. Plan buses before huts: missing the last highland bus can strand you in Þórsmörk or Skógar.

Also read: Complete Guide · Itinerary · Trek overview

Trail endpoints

Skógar	Ring Road access, Skógafoss trailhead
Þórsmörk	Highland valley — bus or 4×4 only

Skógar access

Detail	Info
From Reykjavík	Scheduled bus ~6,000–10,000 ISK
From Ring Road	Drive to Skógafoss parking
Trail start	Steps beside Skógafoss waterfall

Strætó Route 51 also connects Skógar south coast towns.

Þórsmörk access

• Highland buses only — Reykjavík Excursions, Trex, Sterna
• Buses ford rivers — regular rental cars cannot access
• Key stops: Básar, Langidalur, Volcano Huts
• Book June–September — peak season sells out

Between trailheads

Route	Cost (approx.)
Básar (Þórsmörk) → Skógar shuttle	~4,500 ISK one way
Hiker bus pass	25,000–28,000 ISK if chaining Laugavegur + Fimmvörðuháls

Coordinate exit bus time with your hiking pace — Lee built slack for weather delays.

After Laugavegur

Most hikers arrive in Þórsmörk on Day 4 of Laugavegur, then continue Þórsmörk → Skógar over Fimmvörðuháls. Exit bus from Skógar is easier for south coast / Reykjavík connections.

International access

Step	Notes
Fly to Keflavík (KEF)	Main airport
Reykjavík	45 min from airport
Pre-trek night	Buy food, confirm bus tickets
Post-trek	Bus from Skógar or Þórsmörk

Critical timing

• Know last bus departure from your exit point
• Highland buses run June–September only
• Weather delays happen — build flexible schedule
• Cell signal is limited on the pass

Pre-departure checklist

• Book highland buses (both directions if needed)
• Book Útivist hut
• Confirm bus stop names (Básar vs Langidalur)
• Download offline maps
• Register on safetravel.is

Related planning

• Accommodation — align bus + hut dates
• Cost guide — transport line items
• Itinerary — 1- vs 2-day pacing
• Laugavegur getting there — if chaining treks