Planning
Autumn in the valley of Thor
Date
23. Sep 202223. Sep 22
Reading time
3 min
Share
Ad
Ad
There’s never a bad time to visit Iceland
There’s something for everyone all year round in Iceland. Come and see for yourself!
Date
23. Sep 202223. Sep 22
Reading time
3 min
Share
There’s something for everyone all year round in Iceland. Come and see for yourself!
Photographer Benjamin Hardman captures the changing seasons in the wild valley of Þórsmörk.
Towards the end of August, Iceland welcomes the return of the night sky and glow of the aurora borealis once again. The vibrant green hues of the summer landscape slowly begin to transition as the autumn season nears. On the southern edge of Iceland’s highland region, the red and orange fall colors swiftly transform the valley of Thor (in Icelandic, Thor is written as Þór, with the valley known as Þórsmörk).
With a unique mix of moss-covered canyons, winding glacial rivers, and fields of silver birch trees, a day tour into the area is an unforgettable experience.
At this time of year, cloudy skies are a common sight and create an amazing atmosphere together with the newly transformed color palette of the landscape.
During a ride in one of Iceland’s infamous modified super jeeps, you’ll find yourself traversing several glacial rivers as you navigate through the valley to reach one of Þórsmörk’s three mountain huts, at Húsadalur, Langidalur, or Básar. Hiking from the huts up to the summit of one of the many mountains in the area, you’ll gain a panoramic view over the glacial river streams and the outlet glaciers from which they originate, as well as a chance to see the distant peaks high up on both Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull, the site of the 2010 volcanic eruption that caused great disruptions across Europe.
Whilst the fall season is short, lasting just a few weeks, it offers an amazing window to witness nature’s ability to transform and adapt.
It’s worth mentioning that Þórsmörk is just one of many stunning fall locations in Iceland. With the country full of glacial valleys, winding fjords, and volcanic mountain ranges, it’s possible to enjoy this unique season all around the island. Colder temperatures and the first dusting of snow mark the end of the season and the beginning of the longer winter ahead.
The distinct visual changes between seasons make Iceland an amazing place to return to at different times of the year. It almost feels as if you’re stepping into a new world each time.
---
Check out Benjamin’s other seasonal photo essays, including winter in North Iceland, and Iceland’s transition from winter to spring. For more information on the seasons in Iceland – including average temperatures and daylight hours – see our guide to the best time to visit Iceland.
This article first appeared in Icelandair’s in-flight Stopover magazine, and was updated in summer 2026.
Benjamin Hardman
Benjamin’s core focus is to tell deeper visual stories of nature in the Arctic and sub-Arctic, both as a traveler and a local. He forged a career as a photographer, filmmaker, and field guide after beginning to travel around Iceland and later moving from his home in Australia in 2015. Read more at benjaminhardman.com.
