Thakgil - The Best Campground in Iceland?
Thakgil, or Þakgil if you’re spelling it in it’s true Icelandic form, has to be one of the best campgrounds on offer throughout this volcanic island.
Hiking in Thakgil Canyon
Not only is it Thakgil fantastic place to stay a night but this hidden gem also offers some of the most awe inspiring hiking and landscape Iceland has to offer.
This type of scenery is often associated with the Icelandic Highlands set deep inside Iceland’s interior. Thakgil however is much easier to access, this is everything you need to know!
How To Get To Thakgil
If driving from Vik you’ll need drive past the town on the Ring Road by about 4.5 km before taking a left turn. Here you’ll drive 16 km north on Kerlingardalsvegur road (the 214) in to the canyon. The scenery is fantastic throughout!
The road to Thakgil - Courtesy of Google maps.
When Can I visit Thakgil?
Thakgil can be accessed during the summer months from around the start of June until the end of September, however this is weather dependent so dates are subject to change. If traveling close to the start or end of season getting in contact before hand is definitely a good idea.
A good indicator as to whether the area is open is if the access road itself is open. You can check up to date road conditions at umferdin.is.
Do I Need a 4WD To Get To Thakgil?
Now one of the best selling features of Thakgil is that it’s surprisingly easy to access! Commonly backcountry locations in Iceland are only accessible via notoriously tricky F Roads which require 4WD vehicles and some experience in off road driving.
Thakgil’s access road isn’t quite the same. Although it gives the impression of being an F road it in fact doesn’t qualify as one nor does it have deep rivers to fjord and technical driving to conquer.
This is good news for a couple of reasons:
Standard insurance packages on most rentals (you’ll want gravel insurance included) cover visitors to travel this road.
You can easily make the trip in a 2WD car!
Now the road is a windy gravel road with some lumps and bumps so some experience driving in these conditions is advised but the road can definitely be tackled by most vehicles!
Driving to Thakgil in our 2WD car was pretty easy going.
Where to Stay in Thakgil?
In amongst the canyons lays, what I dare say, is Iceland’s best campground. There is only one company operating in the area but they offer a few different options and some quirky facilities.
Camping
Camping costs 3000isk per person, per night (ages 12 to 16 just pay for one night even if they stay two) which is actually very reasonably when compared to the rest of Icelands campgrounds.
Cabins
The same campground also offers some lovely cabins these start at 34,000isk per night and offer accommodation for 4 on two sets of bunks, toilet, basic gas stove and fridge.
Cabins nestled in to the scenery
Do I Need to Book My Stay in Thakgil?
When we visited there was ample room for our little camper when we turned up, no booking necessary! Year on year though this location gets more popular so as years go by I’d suggest
However if you’re looking to stay in the cabins I would highly recommend contacting in advance.
Year on year though this location gets more popular so as years go by it probably wouldn’t hurt to double check before you turn up with your tent or campervan.
What Facilities Are There at Thakgil?
As well as the camping and cabins on site Thakgil campground also offers some pretty unique facilities, one being hot showers! Now that doesn’t sound so crazy but some less remote sites in Iceland don’t offer this at all and if they do they often charge extra for it!
Facilities:
Toilets
Picnic Area inside an epic cave heated via fire place.
BBQ Grills
Showers that are actually warm and included in your camping fee!
Fantastic hiking trails
Picnic Benches
The cave home to the kitchen and eating area.
Hiking in Thakgil
As I mentioned before Thakgil has some fantastic hiking trails scattered throughout it’s mossy landscape. These are well maintained and well sign posted with each trail following a specific colour and vary in distance.
Hiking map at the campground.
On our first day we attempted the Red Trail and a summit of Maelifell however had to turn back due to incredibly strong wind, something that isn’t uncommon in Iceland. We were relentlessly battered by ice crystals being blown off the nearest mountain a feeling akin to being hit with a rapid fire BB gun!
Even though the views were insane it just wasn’t safe to carry on. We turned back to the more sheltered campground to rest and make dinner.
The Purple Trail = Best Trail?
On our second day we opted for the Purple trail rather than a loop this section was an out and back with several detour options.
I’d heard good things about this hike and we were certainly not disappointed. This trail has to be one of the best effort to reward hikes of anywhere in the country. Simply amazing scenery from the get go.
To start this trail you head a little south out of camp and follow the signs to Remundargil.
The first section of trail will take you up and over a small pass with about 150 m of elevation gain. Once over the pass and back on to the valley floor you are fully surrounded by towering green mountains and black rock. This sort of scenery is Iceland down to a tea!
Purple trail Thakgil
Simply dwarfed by the surrounding landscape.
From this point there are several options, take a left to Remundargilsfloss for some waterfall views or head towards the right initially before swinging back around and up for glacial and valley views.
If you’re short on time I’d recommend heading straight to the main view point, especially if you’re a photographer, as the landscape is out of this world!
You can also extend this trail and turn it in to a sort of loop if you so wish!
Views towards Kötlujökull glacier
A van makes it’s way across a black rock F road in the distance.
