Fimmvörðuháls

Fimmvörðuháls is situated in between two glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull.The hiking trail over Fimmvörðuháls is one of the most popular one in Iceland and even more so now when hikers can explore the eruption sites up there. The trail starts at Skógar and takes us from the beatiful Skógafoss waterfall along the Skógá river. The distance is about 20 km. with estimated hiking time between 8 - 12 hours. Elevation increases and decrease is 1.000 meters. The route is especially beautiful if you walk from south to north, as there are unusually many streams in Skógá and a beautiful view down to Þórsmörk when you cross the ridge. Be prepared for sudden changes in weather since the trail leads us between two glaciers.

The eruption at Fimmvörðuháls began on the eve of March 21, 2010. Then there were reports of an eruption with associated ash fall in or near Eyjafjallajökull and the information came from the Police in Hvolsvöllur. The eruption was north of Fimmvörðuháls, just east of Eyjafjallajökull. This eruption is classified as a lava eruption. The lava flow from the eruption fissure formed the highest lava waterfall in the world that flows down into a gorge near the eruption fissure. The lava waterfall was about 200 meters high.