One-day itinerary – Esja

Hike on a popular mountain massif near Reykjavík

Main attractions

Steinn

Other attractions

Þverfellshorn · Esja

Esja is a smaller mountain massif and one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas for residents of Reykjavík. The Esja area can be divided into two main parts – the lower section from the parking area up to the viewpoint Steinn, and the upper section above it.

The lower part up to the viewpoint is well maintained, easily accessible, and therefore suitable even for family trips with people of all ages. There are several trails, so you can easily choose how far you want to go. The viewpoint Steinn is at an altitude of about 600 meters, so it does require some effort, but if you are not in a hurry, it is quite manageable.

From the Steinn viewpoint, the ascent becomes more demanding, with several steep sections and some parts equipped with staples and chains. Nothing too difficult for experienced hikers, but not really suitable for a family outing anymore. However, once you reach the Þverfellshorn viewpoint, you are rewarded with a vast plateau that gently slopes away.

From there, you can freely walk around the entire area and enjoy the views – every direction offers a different perspective. You can see far south into the greater Reykjavík area, and to the west the town of Akranes and the glacier Snæfellsjökull on the Snæfellsnes peninsula.