How Long Does It Take To Hike Mount Esja?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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How long does it take to hike the mountain? The most common routes taken at Mt. Esja leading to Thverfellshorn take about

two to four hours

up and down, depending on the paths you choose and of course your fitness level.

Can you climb Kirkjufell?


It is possible to climb Kirkjufell mountain

and it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes or so to reach the top. The view from the top is quite spectacular. The hike towards the peak is not for those who suffer from vertigo because it is quite treacherous. But it is very rewarding once you get to the there.

Where is Mount ESJA?

Esja that is also called Esja is a mountain that is located in the

south-west of Iceland and about 10km drive from Reykjavík

. This is a very popular hike in the summertime. Most of the people walk only up to the place called “Steinn” which means Rock. It's a higher rock after 600m elevation.

Are there mountains in Reykjavík Iceland?

The mountain view from Reykjavík is simply stunning.

The capital is surrounded by mountains from nearly all sides—Mt. Esja and the legendary Snæfellsjökull glacier

watch over the city from the north and if you look to the southwest, there is the mountain range of the Reykjanes peninsula.

How long is the hike to Reykjadalur?

The hike is

3 km long one way

and will take about 45-60 minutes one way with plenty of photo stops. On the first part of the trail, there are several hot springs and mud pools to the left.

How do I get to ESJA by bus?

Public Bus to Esja

You can easily get to Esja by public bus,

taking the one number 15 from Hlemmur Bus Station

. Getting off at Háholt in Mosfellsbær, then take the bus number 57 which will take you to the foothills of the mountain.

How hard is it to climb Kirkjufell?

Get to know this 2.9-mile out-and-back trail near Grundarfjörður, Western. Generally considered a

moderately challenging route

, it takes an average of 1 h 52 min to complete.

Is Kirkjufell a volcano?

Kirkjufell Mountain is

no

but the layers you see at the mountain are results of several volcanic eruptions. The mountain was located between two glaciers that shaped the mountain's current form in millions of years.

How long is glymur hike?

The Hike. The entire loop is about

4.6 miles (7.5 km)

and depending on your pace could take up to four hours to complete.

What mountain can you see from Reykjavík?


Mount Esja

, most often referred to as Esjan which translates directly to ‘The Esja', is a volcanic mountain range situated on the south-west of Iceland and visible from most parts of Reykjavík.

Where is the Golden Circle in Iceland?

The Golden Circle is situated in

southwest Iceland from the Reykjavik

. The first closest stop during the Golden Circle is Þingvellir National Park situated 48 kilometers from Reykjavik, then it is Geysir Geothermal area, and last from Reykjavik is Gullfoss waterfall which is approximately 125 kilometers away.

How do I get to glymur waterfall?

Glymur waterfall is located in Hvalfjordur fjord in West Iceland, about an hours drive from Reykjavík. To go there you need to

drive into the rear end of the fjord instead of driving through the tunnel under the fjord

. There is a sign by the road (#47) telling you when to turn right.

What language is mostly spoken in Iceland?


Icelandic

is a North Germanic language spoken by about 314,000 people, the vast majority of whom live in Iceland where it is the national language. It is most closely related to Faroese and Western Norwegian. The language is more conservative than most other Western European languages.

What language do they speak in Iceland?

Icelandic

Where is the highest mountain in Iceland?

The ascent of the highest peak in Iceland,

Hvannadals- hnúkur

(2110 m / 6900 ft) is a once-in-a-lifetime must. The peak is located in the north-western rim of the Öræfajökull volcano and promises an unforgettable hike with breathtaking panoramic views.

What is Geysir in Iceland?

Geysir, also called Great Geysir,

geyser located in the Hauka valley (Haukadalur), southwestern Iceland

. The spouting hot spring gave its name (in use since 1647) to similar phenomena around the world.

How does Iceland have hot springs?

Since there is so much volcanic activity, water is often heated under the ground, and this is called geothermal activity.

Hot springs are caused by this geothermal activity

. The divergence of the plates causes the volcanic activity, and the hot springs are the end result.

How do I get to Landbrotalaug?

To get to Landbrotalaug,

take a left turn after you have passed Eldborg crater and drive for a few minutes on a dirt road

. There you will pass a small abandoned house and in a few more minutes, in approx.

How old is Kirkjufell?

Mount Kirkjufell is a made up of layers of sedimentary rocks from both glacial and interglacial stages. At the base of the mountain is a type of lava, known as Tertiary Lava,

about 5 to 10 million years old

. The higher you go you will find different layers of rock and lava which are about 700 thousand years old.

How do I get to Kirkjufell?

Kirkjufell is located in Snaefellsnes, close to Grundarfjordur town, which is about two hour drive from Reykjavik.

A 10 minute drive west from Grundarfjordur, down route Snaefellsnesvegur 54, will lead you to Kirkjufell

. Parking there is both easy and free of charge.

Why is Kirkjufell mountain famous?


It is claimed to be the most photographed mountain in the country

. Kirkjufell was one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones season 6 and 7, featuring as the “arrowhead mountain” that the Hound and the company north of the Wall see when capturing a wight. Kirkjufell contains volcanic rock, but is not a volcano.

Why is Kirkjufell famous?

Kirkjufell, or ‘Church Mountain', is a distinctly shaped peak found on the north shore of Iceland's Snæfellsnes Peninsula, only a short distance away from the town of Grundarfjörður. It is often called ‘the most photographed mountain in Iceland'

due to its dramatic formation and perfect coastal location

.

When was the last time Surtsey erupted?

Surtsey, a volcanic island approximately 32 km from the south coast of Iceland, is a new island formed by volcanic eruptions that took place from

1963 to 1967

. It is all the more outstanding for having been protected since its birth, providing the world with a pristine natural laboratory.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.