Our summer adventures in Thórsmörk and Goðaland

As soon as the snow cleared in April, we returned to the Langidalur camp to begin our fifteenth season on the trails. This summer we were joined by 42 international volunteers from 14 countries, and together we completed more than 160 weeks of trail maintenance and practical nature conservation tasks throughout Thórsmörk and Goðaland.

Each season, in addition to ongoing maintenance tasks throughout the trail network, we focus on a series of larger projects. One of our main tasks was at Stöng, where we moved the badly eroded trail to a more sustainable line and restored the damaged area with transplanted moss and turf. One of our most remote worksites was in Goðaland, on the west side of Útigönguhöfði, where we improved the trail line and added additional drainage. Each summer, the trail work takes us a little closer to the top of the mountain.

Several trails were added to the network in 2026. At Hamraskógur, a new 1.8km hiking trail was created to improve safety by providing separate routes for hikers and bikers. In Goðaland, a new trail was created to link Básar with the Krossá hiking bridge. This new 1.4km trail is an important addition as it connects the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails, and increasing numbers of visitors are now hiking the entire route.

We thank everyone who joined us on the trails this year and made 2026 a really great season. A huge amount was achieved and the results speak for themselves. Thank you all for your hard work and enthusiasm throughout those long days on the trails.

Our search for volunteers will begin again on December 15th with the launch of 2027 programme. Full details, including placement dates and application forms, will be available here.