If you’re looking for a unique destination in Iceland, I’d like to suggest the one of a kind Volcano Huts Iceland in Thórsmörk. Volcano Huts Iceland is situated in Húsadalur Valley, 145 km (90 miles) from Reykjavik. Here are 10 things (and a few extras) you need to know about Volcano Huts Iceland today.
1. Did you know that you should skip driving and choose a coach instead?
Read my “How to Get Thorsmork” post to understand why it’s far easier to take a coach instead of trying to cross rivers on your own. You’ll feel less stressed and can enjoy yourself instead of feeling like you lost a few years off your life. If you insist on driving, it’s possible for you to drive up part of the way and take a coach across Krossá, the last river on the way to the Volcano Huts.
Volcano Huts Iceland is located in the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve in Iceland, which means you’re in the middle of nowhere. As one of the most popular hiking destinations in Iceland, people come here just to hike.
2. Did you know that Þórsmörk Nature Reserve is a large nature reserve situated between Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull glaciers?
After Eyjafjallajökull erupted in 2010, most of the area was covered in volcanic ash, which took months for the area to return to normal.
3. Did you know that the mountain ridge, Þórsmörk (Thorsmork), is named after the Norse god Thor?
While you might be thinking about that chiseled hunk of a man, Chris Hemsworth of Thor and Avengers fame, I’m talking about THE Thor. You know, the original Thor. The son of Odin and Fyorgyn, the earth goddess. Thor the storm weather god of the sky and thunder. And oh yeah, the fertility god. The all around bad ass god that just happens to have a mountain ridge in Iceland named after him.
Volcano Huts Entrance
After arriving by coach, I made my way inside the main building to the front desk to check in. This is also where you pay for items they sell, food in the restaurant, and drinks at the bar.
As you can see, two steps to the left of the check in desk is the Lava Grill restaurant and when it’s busy here, it’s chaotic. We decided to stay at Volcano Huts Iceland because the finish line for the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon was here. Oh and because there’s nowhere else to stay anywhere near here.
I was allowed to check in early so I grabbed my key and headed outside. You won’t need to travel far to see that all of the resort’s accommodations are right here in front of you. Volcano Huts Iceland advises potential guests on their website that they offer small rooms, basic accommodations, and shared toilets.
I like to consider myself pretty flexible with accommodations, but I was grateful that I wasn’t staying in a tent outside because it was so cold.
But I have to say that the views around here are pretty spectacular.
I walked past the Eyjafjallajökull Cabin with fourteen private rooms and shared toilets and onto the cottages where we would be staying the night.
Volcano Huts Cottages
I was lucky when I booked my stay at Volcano Huts Iceland, because there was only one cottage available. The small, rustic cottages line the walkway to the right of where people set up tents.
I stepped inside cottage #2, my temporary Icelandic tiny house and noticed the small dining table with four stools to the left of the kitchen along with a broom and dustpan.
The kitchen area had a hot plate, tea kettle, sink, dishes, and flatware, perfect for basic cooking needs.
4. Did you know that you need to clean your cottage?
Part of staying at Volcano Huts Iceland requires you to leave the cottage the way you received it. Clean up after yourself or face a hefty cleaning charge.
Up to five people can sleep in the cottage’s four bunk beds, one which is a double for couples. Cottages are rented out as sleeping bag accommodations so if you want linen, you’ll need to pay extra. After making my reservation, I was advised I could pay the extra 3000 ISK ($28 USD) per person for a pillow, towels, sheets, and a duvet. While I would’ve liked to have saved money, I chose not to bring my own to Iceland.
5. Did you know that the cottages have heat?
In the pic above on the left you’ll see a heater on the wall. Ours was a little tricky to operate, but without it on the temperature was the same inside as it was outside.
Keeping in mind this is a rustic environment, the cottages don’t have bathrooms. There are two full service porta potties in between the cottages and Eyjafjallajökull cabin. They’re slightly bigger than an airplane bathroom and have a somewhat tricky door. I panicked when I couldn’t get the door to open.
6. Did you know you can get locked inside?
Just kidding, well kind of. Unlock the switch and then open the door. Apparently, I was pushing on it a little too much while trying to open it, which wedged the door’s lock and prevented the mechanism from opening.
In addition to the private rooms in the Eyjafjallajóll Cabin, cottages, and campsite, guests can choose to enjoy glamping in the yurt-style tents (above) or in one of the two available mountain hut dormitories.
7. Did you know that you should bring some food?
While I do love Iceland, I know that vegan or even vegetarian options are limited. The day before this trip, I stopped at a Bonus market and packed crackers, hummus, and plums for lunch. I’ve never seen plums so red in my entire life and it was so sweet, too. Always pack some food when you travel because you won’t know if you’ll like what’s available.
8. Did you know that hidden people or huldufólk are part of the Icelandic culture?
I had a few hours to kill before Mr. TSG would finish his race so I decided to go for a walk around the grounds of Volcano Huts Iceland. I spotted these cairns placed next to these super tiny elf houses for huldufólk.
Believing in elves, hidden people, orhuldufólk allow Icelanders to remain connected to the earth and the environment. Whether or not everyone here believes in them depends on who you ask.
This Lord of the Rings looking area is a serene natural warm pool and sauna for guests. Since the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon finished here, there were many people wanting to soak in the warm waters and sit in the sauna after several hours of running.
As I continued my walk around Volcano Huts Iceland, I noticed that the property is flat, which allows you to see some distance across the valley no matter where you turn to look.
I kept finding what appeared to be fields of purple flowers. Upon closer inspection, what I saw was clumps of these small purple flowers dotting the landscape.
The clouds all around were hanging extremely low and obscuring the mountain tops at times.
After walking around for awhile, I returned to the cottage to put on as many of my clothes as I could layer on just to stay warm while waiting for Mr. TSG. I couldn’t believe how cold it was in the middle of July.
Mr. TSG survived the ultramarathon so afterwards we grabbed dinner from the Lava Grill Restaurant and ate outside on one of the picnic benches. We also purchased two large shots of Brennivin, which was sorely needed for the runner and for the one who froze waiting for the runner. Then it was off to sleep for the two of us in cottage #2.
Volcano Huts Buffet
If you’re feeling hungry while at Volcano Huts Iceland, you can try the buffets on hand for each meal. A lunch buffet is offered from 11:30 am – 5:00 pm for 2700 ISK ($26 USD) and includes soup, salad, homemade bread, coffee, and cakes.
The two course dinner buffet is available from 6pm – 9:30 pm for 4500 ISK ($43 US) and includes lamb, pork, fish or chicken as the main course, soup, fresh salad, dressings, grilled potatoes, and homemade bread.
The next morning we were hungry and anticipating the long four hour coach ride back to Reykjavik. I prepaid for breakfast when I made our reservation so we packed up and headed over to the main building. The breakfast buffet is served from 7 am – 10 am and costs 2200 ISK ($21 USD).
Breakfast options include homemade bread, eggs, ham, cheese, freshly cut fruit, sliced vegetables, jams, biscuits, oatmeal, cereal, milk, juice, coffee, and tea.
The dining area offers guests plenty of room to sit and eat at the large communal tables. Many runners returned to Reykjavik after the race so it was fairly quiet in the morning.
9. Did you know that cinnamon sugar is great on cereal?
I discovered some cinnamon sugar, which I sprinkled over top of my cereal and it was like a yummy breakfast/dessert. Probably because I don’t ever eat sugar or cereal anymore. My head said “no”, but my stomach said “yes.”
While I don’t eat eggs or meat, I decided to have a bowl of cereal with a banana and soy milk. Notice the logo on the plate is the same for Reykjavik Excursions?
I was completely infatuated with my banana at breakfast, which had a much longer trip to Iceland than I did.
We could see from our seats that the Reykjavik Excursions coach had pulled up near the bus stop so we finished up and walked outside. According to the schedule located outside, there are regularly scheduled drop offs and pick ups at Volcano Huts Iceland.
10. Did you know that coaches board quickly at Volcano Huts Iceland?
Check the schedule in advance and don’t wait until the last second to go outside as the coach won’t wait for you.
The driver will check your ticket and then within minutes, the coach takes off for the return trip to Reykjavik.
Overall, my visit to Volcano Huts Iceland proved to be like no other experience I’ve had yet anywhere else, including in Iceland. I think if I were to visit again, I’d probably pack warmer clothes and bed linen to save some money, but other than that I enjoyed the experience and my brief time in Thórsmörk. The scenery was incredible and Mr. TSG’s ultramarathon experience was definitely memorable.
Volcano Huts
Thórsmörk, Húsadalur Iceland
Have you ever visited Volcano Huts Iceland? Want more travel tips Iceland? Read more about my experiences in Iceland here. Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Travel Shop Girl website while you’re here for more travel tips and tricks.