Thakgil: Yellow trail
Thakgil (or Þakgil) exudes a mystical atmosphere far from classic tourist sites. Its scenery is reminiscent of that of Thórsmörk. Its landscapes are characterized by gorges and canyons with sheer walls draped in green moss that contrasts with the black volcanic rocks. This unique place is worth discovering—it was truly one of my favorites.
This circuit offers spectacular views, especially of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and its Kötlujökull and Huldujökull glaciers. Although I could only admire part of this impressive panorama due to low clouds, it was still breathtaking.
Remarks
Access: To reach Thakgil, drive on Route 214 for 16 kilometers. As it is not an F-road, Route 214 is accessible by all types of vehicles, but a 4x4 or SUV is recommended as the road is very rough and dotted with potholes.
Opening period: Like the Thakgil trails, this road is only open in the summer. The exact dates depend on snow conditions.
Accommodation: I strongly recommend spending at least one night at the Thakgil campground. Nestled in the heart of a natural amphitheater, the campground is surrounded by impressive rock walls covered with green moss that look almost impassable. Don't miss the cozy cave where campers can relax and share a meal at the end of a day of hiking.
Difficulties and description of the hike
There are four hiking trails available from the campsite, including the yellow circuit, which is one of the longest. Like all the trails in Thakgil, this one is well-maintained and marked. The main difficulties lie in the route's length and its steep slopes, which are often slippery, though none of the sections are particularly technical. To avoid returning along the wide trail, I suggest taking the purple trail on the way back, which is different from the route suggested in Thakgil.
Note that the red circuit was closed in 2023 due to dangerous passages. However, it is also renowned for its beauty and may be slightly more technical.
What you'll love
- Spectacular views of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and its Kötlujökull and Huldujökull glaciers, providing a magnificent panorama of these ice giants.
- The typical landscapes of Thakgil: Vertiginous gorges and canyons with rock walls covered in bright green moss.
- The mystical and unspoiled atmosphere: This little-known site offers a true escape from the tourist crowds.
Hike technical sheet
➡️ Hiking parameters
➡️ Hiking parameters
➡️ Hiking parameters
REMARKS
Access: To reach Thakgil, drive on Route 214 for 16 kilometers. As it is not an F-road, Route 214 is accessible by all types of vehicles, but a 4x4 or SUV is recommended as the road is very rough and dotted with potholes.
Opening period: Like the Thakgil trails, this road is only open in the summer. The exact dates depend on snow conditions.
Accommodation: I strongly recommend spending at least one night at the Thakgil campground. Nestled in the heart of a natural amphitheater, the campground is surrounded by impressive rock walls covered with green moss that look almost impassable. Don't miss the cozy cave where campers can relax and share a meal at the end of a day of hiking.
Difficulties and description of the hike
There are four hiking trails available from the campsite, including the yellow circuit, which is one of the longest. Like all the trails in Thakgil, this one is well-maintained and marked. The main difficulties lie in the route's length and its steep slopes, which are often slippery, though none of the sections are particularly technical. To avoid returning along the wide trail, I suggest taking the purple trail on the way back, which is different from the route suggested in Thakgil.
Note that the red circuit was closed in 2023 due to dangerous passages. However, it is also renowned for its beauty and may be slightly more technical.
What you'll love
- Spectacular views of the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and its Kötlujökull and Huldujökull glaciers, providing a magnificent panorama of these ice giants.
- The typical landscapes of Thakgil: Vertiginous gorges and canyons with rock walls covered in bright green moss.
- The mystical and unspoiled atmosphere: This little-known site offers a true escape from the tourist crowds.
Slideshow
Nearby hikes
Thakgil: Blue trail
- Difficulty : Easy
- Duration : 1 h 30 m
- Distance : 4 km
- Elevation gain : 250 m
Thakgil: Purple trail
- Difficulty : Moderate
- Duration : 4 h 30 m
- Distance : 11.1 km
- Elevation gain : 480 m
Hatta
- Difficulty : Moderate
- Duration : 2 h 45 m
- Distance : 6.4 km
- Elevation gain : 530 m
Reynisfjall
- Difficulty : Easy
- Duration : 2 h 30 m
- Distance : 7.2 km
- Elevation gain : 300 m
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Let chance guide your steps: Each time you visit Horizonrando, you will discover a new selection of hikes in Iceland, chosen at random.