One of Iceland’s best kept secrets
Just 15 km off the ring road and 5 km from Vik, lies a small enclosed canyon, sheltered on all sides by steep moss-covered vertical mountains, creating a cosy amphitheatre of sorts. The floor of the canyon is a grassy plain, about the size of a football stadium, which serves as a camping site along with nine recently built, snug pine huts that are also available to rent. Several magnificent day hikes to the nearby Mýrdalsjökull Glacier are possible and in the evenings, a dining hall set in a large natural cave, replete with cooking grill and a fireplace for warmth, is especially welcoming on cooler summer nights.
An Alternative to Landmannalaugar?
Getting to Þakgil is also part of the adventure itself. You will see all manner of weird and wonderful rock formations, scenic panoramic views that go on forever and even the remains of no less than two movie sets, Beowulf and the American television show, Game of Thrones, parts of which were filmed here.
The gravel road is well maintained and an average passenger car can make it all the way to the campsite in about 30 minutes. Þakgil has no trouble competing with the famous Landmannalaugar, where you will find many tourists at the height of the season. If you are short on time, Þakgil is a wonderful way to peek into Iceland’s interior and possibly, a great alternative to Landmannalaugar.
Tjaldstæði Þakgil
Höfðabrekkuafrétti
870 Vík
+354 893 4889
[email protected]
www.thakgil.is
