Þakgil Red Trail

The Þakgil Red Trail is one of the best-kept hiking secrets in south Iceland. Þakgil is a remote campsite tucked into a narrow canyon in the mountains northeast of Vík, below the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. The red-marked loop climbs from the campsite over the summit of Mælifell (642 m), with views over deep canyons, strange palagonite rock formations and the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap.

The loop is about 12 km with roughly 730 m of ascent and takes four to five hours; guidebooks quote up to 14 km depending on detours. It starts at the Þakgil campsite, heads south-west along a track, climbs steeply over Mælifell and returns along the high ground to the north. It is the hardest of the marked trails at Þakgil, with steep, exposed sections and about three unbridged river crossings. The trail is marked with red-tipped posts, though some sections are faint, so a map or GPS track is useful. There are other colour-coded trails from the campsite too.

Þakgil is reached by a long gravel road from the Ring Road and has a unique dining area inside a natural cave. It makes a peaceful base for a few days of hiking away from the crowds of the south coast. The campsite is usually open in summer only. Bring all your supplies, as there is no shop nearby; the closest stores and restaurants are in Vík. In clear weather the evening light on the canyon walls and the distant ice cap is unforgettable, and nights are quiet.

Highlights

• Views of Mýrdalsjökull from the summit of Mælifell
• Deep canyons and strange palagonite formations
• A natural cave used as a dining area at the campsite
• Quiet trails away from the south coast crowds

The route

Getting to the trailhead

Þakgil is reached via Route 214 (Kerlingardalsvegur), a gravel road of about 14 km that leaves the Ring Road at Höfðabrekka, 5 km east of Vík. It is not an F-road, has no river crossings and is usually passable for normal cars in summer, but conditions vary, and a higher-clearance vehicle is more comfortable. There is no public transport to Þakgil.

Where to stay

The Þakgil campsite has tent pitches and small cabins, plus the cave dining area. Book ahead for cabins. Vík, about 30 minutes away, has hotels, guesthouses and a campsite.

Best time to hike

The campsite and trails are usually accessible from June to September. July and August are best, with long days and the most settled weather. The area is quiet, even in peak season.

Safety

The trail is steep, loose and exposed in places, and some sections are faint; use a map or GPS in poor visibility. The river crossings rise after rain, so turn back if they look too deep. Weather can change quickly near the ice cap. Check vedur.is before setting out, leave a travel plan at safetravel.is, and call 112 in an emergency.