T
hakgil camping is famous for its “canteen” set up in a sizable rock cave.
Thakgil (Þakgil) is a hidden canyon located 20 km northeast of the town of Vik, between the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the Mýrdalssandur floodplain. The canyon gets its name from the high, moss-covered rock walls that protect it from the elements. Its distinctive feature is the beautiful light green vegetation, which looks like an oasis in the dark volcanic landscape. A great point on the map of Þakgil is the crystal-clear waterfall, hidden in its depths.
Water from the waterfall flows straight into the Thakgil campground, which lies at the foot of the canyon. It is open from June 1 to August 31 and offers the option of renting cabins or pitching a tent.
T
hakgil camping is famous for its “canteen” set up in a sizable rock cave.
The route from the campground to the top of the canyon is just over 1 km.
How to get to Thakgil
To get to Thakgil, take road 214 (Kerlingardalsvegur) about 5 km east of Vik and Myrdal off road 1 north. This is not a mountain road, but a gravel road, and although it is sometimes in poor condition, even the smallest cars can handle it. The canyon is located just behind the campground, at the end of this road.
From Vik and Myrdal the distance to the parking lot at Thakgil Canyon is only about 20 kilometers, but it is worth reserving up to an hour to cover it.
