Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
My trip
Talk to a local
Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
My trip
Talk to a local
Þakgil is a canyon and hiking area in the hills behind Vík í Mýrdal in South Iceland, with Rémundargil as its best-known side ravine. It is about a 40-minute drive from Vík on a rough but manageable road, free to explore, and has a seasonal campsite open from June to September.
Þakgil, meaning roughly "roof ravine", is a sheltered green canyon system in the hills north-east of Vík, reached by a scenic if bumpy gravel road that climbs up from the coast. It feels far removed from the black sand beaches below, with grassy ravines, rock formations and views towards Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
Rémundargil, the ravine right next to the campsite, is the area's signature short walk, narrow and dramatic, and part of a wider network of marked trails that range from an easy half-hour stroll to a full-day hike across the moorland above. The area was also used as a filming location for Game of Thrones.
The high cliffs around the valley keep out much of the wind, so the weather at the campsite is often milder and calmer than on the coast a few kilometres away. A freshwater stream runs through the site, small cabins and tents sit on the flat valley floor, and from the higher trails you can see the Katla area, the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and the ocean to the south in one view. Many people stay a night or two and use Þakgil as a base for walking.
The access road can be more difficult after heavy rain or in poor weather; a car with reasonable ground clearance is a good idea, and a 4x4 gives extra peace of mind.
Five marked trails cover more than 50 km in total, from an easy stroll to a demanding day hike.
You can hike here on your own, but choose a trail that matches your fitness and the weather, and take the easier, less steep option if you are unsure. Conditions on the moorland can change quickly.
Þakgil has one of the more unusual campsites in Iceland, in the middle of the canyon with green cliffs on every side.
A natural cave beside the campsite is used as the dining hall, with tables, a wood-burning stove and a barbecue, which gives an evening meal here an old-fashioned feel. The site also has toilets and hot showers, and there are small cabins for those who prefer a roof.
Because the valley is so sheltered, it is a comfortable place to stay for a day or two. That gives you time for both the short ravine walk and one of the longer trails towards Mýrdalsjökull, without having to drive the gravel road twice in one day.
The campsite is seasonal, roughly June to September, and opening depends on the road and the weather.
Þakgil is close to the South Coast, so it is easy to reach by car once you know where to turn.
The seasonal campsite has toilets, showers, electricity and a covered outdoor kitchen area, plus a cave used as a communal dining space with a wood-burning stove and barbecue.
Vík has the widest choice of hotels and guesthouses nearby; Þakgil itself has a summer-only campsite with basic cabins for those wanting to stay right in the canyon.
By car. From Reykjavík, drive about 180 km on the Ring Road to Vík, continue about 5 km east and turn left onto Route 214, then follow the gravel road for about 15 km. From Vík it takes about 40 minutes.
No, the trails are free to walk; there is a fee to use the campsite if staying overnight.
Typically from June to September.
The ravine right beside the Þakgil campsite, and the starting point for several of the marked trails.
Not usually in summer. Route 214 is a rough gravel road but not a mountain F-road, and most cars manage it if driven slowly. A 4x4 or a car with good ground clearance is more comfortable, especially after rain.
The Rémundargil ravine loop is about 12.5 km and takes 3 to 5 hours. The short ravine walk from the campsite is about 1 km.
Toilets, hot showers, small cabins and a natural cave used as a dining hall with a stove and barbecue.
