Volunteer opportunities
Land and Forest Iceland (Land og Skógur) coordinates trail maintenance, land restoration and wilderness management projects with international volunteers in Thórsmörk, Goðaland and beyond.
We are looking for participants who have some experience of camping and hill walking, enjoy wilderness landscapes and are ready for a challenge. Iceland’s notoriously changeable weather means that our teams have to be well prepared with warm clothing, good waterproofs and sturdy tents. Due to the strenuous nature of our work, participants must be physically fit, and as many of our work sites are in remote locations, we do a lot of hiking to get to them!
Participants bring their own tents and live together at our volunteer camps, where domestic tasks, including cooking and cleaning, are shared. Group living and shared responsibilities are an important part of the Trailteam programme. Our international volunteer teams include volunteers from all over the world, and the working language in the programme is English. Participants must be 20+ years of age. Participants organise and pay their own travel to and from the meeting point in Thórsmörk and are also responsible for organising their own travel insurance. Participants are responsible for organising visas and/or residence permits if they are required. Once volunteers have joined the programme, food and campsites are provided throughout the placements (including weekends). There is no participation fee.
Map of the Thórsmörk and Goðaland area.
3-week placements
Our 3-week teams take part in a wide variety of trail building and practical nature conservation tasks throughout Thórsmörk and Goðaland.
Volunteers joining the 3-week teams do not require previous experience of trail work as practical training will be provided.
4-week placements
As well as the practical trail work and conservation tasks, our 4-week placement volunteers are also involved in team leadership and project delivery.
These 4-week placements are an ideal role for returning volunteers or others looking for an additional challenge.
Returning volunteers
Our returning volunteers are a hugely valued part of the Trailteam programme and we are delighted to welcome back so many of our volunteers each season.
Returning volunteers usually join our teams for 3-9 week placements and often have leadership roles.
Applications are open from December 15th until February 15th.
Placement allocations begin at the start of January.
Thórsmörk Trail Volunteers 