Walk beneath volcanic thunder
Iceland's most epic highland trek, reimagined as a virtual challenge you complete with your everyday steps.
The Thunderpath links Iceland's Laugavegur trail with the Fimmvörðuháls pass — from the rhyolite hills and geothermal pools of Landmannalaugar through obsidian lava fields, birch forests sheltered by Eyjafjallajökull's glacial ridges, past the craters of the 2010 eruption, and down to the thundering 60-metre curtain of Skógafoss.
With Zelus, you walk the real trail coordinates across Iceland's volcanic highlands. Your daily steps move you along the route on a live map, unlocking six milestone checkpoints at landmarks like the Thorsmork birch sanctuary, the Magni and Móði eruption craters, and the rainbow spray of Skógafoss.
6 milestones along the way
Each milestone marks a real landmark on Iceland's Laugavegur-Fimmvörðuháls traverse. Unlock them one by one as your daily steps add up.
Begin in the rhyolite hills where geothermal streams form natural baths before the highland climb into Iceland's interior.
Traverse obsidian lava shelves as distant waterfalls echo across the highlands and steam rises from the volcanic earth.
Resupply at the valley base camp where hikers trade tales of storm and ash beneath the glacier-capped ridgelines.
Descend into birch forests sheltered by the Krossá river and Eyjafjallajökull's glacial ridges — Thor's own woodland sanctuary.
Step across warm cinders left by Eyjafjallajökull's 2010 eruption — the craters named after Thor's sons still radiate heat.
Finish under the thundering 60-metre curtain of Skógafoss where rainbows crown the spray. Route complete — your medal is earned.
How it works
Ready to start walking?
Download Zelus and pick Thorsmork: The Thunderpath. Your first steps today count toward Skógafoss.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this challenge take?
The target is 140 days, but there's no time limit. At around 3 km of walking per day (roughly 4,000 steps), you'd finish in about 8–9 weeks. Go at whatever pace feels sustainable.
What is the Laugavegur trail?
The Laugavegur is Iceland's most famous highland trek, running from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk. Combined with the Fimmvörðuháls pass to Skógafoss, it's one of the world's great multi-day hikes — crossing rhyolite mountains, obsidian deserts, glacier valleys, and volcanic craters.
Do I need to run?
No. Zelus is built for walking — commuting, errands, lunch walks, pacing on a phone call. Running counts too, but it's not required.
How are my steps converted to distance?
Zelus syncs with your phone's step counter and converts steps into kilometres using a calibrated stride length. Your position updates on the map automatically.
What happens when I finish?
You earn the Thorsmork: The Thunderpath completion medal, which is permanently added to your profile. Then you can pick your next route from the 14+ challenges available.
What if I miss a day?
Nothing happens — your progress stays exactly where you left it. The goal is consistency over time, not perfection. Pick it back up whenever you're ready.