Mount Esja Parking Lot
About Mount Esja Parking Lot
The Mount Esja parking lot at Mógilsá is the main trailhead for hiking the mountain that rises across the bay from Reykjavík, about 20 minutes' drive north of the city center on Route 1. Esja is a long volcanic ridge rather than a single peak, topping out at 914 meters, and the Esjustofa café by the parking area is handy for coffee or soup once you're back down.
The classic Esja hike climbs to Steinn, a large boulder below the summit ridge. The route is 6.2 kilometers with 575 meters of ascent and takes about three hours of walking. At roughly 225 meters the path splits: the eastern branch crosses a bridge over the Mógilsá river and climbs more gently, while the western branch goes straight up beside the river, and the two meet again below Steinn.
Fit hikers can carry on from Steinn to the Þverfellshorn viewpoint at 780 meters, a steeper scramble with a wide view over Reykjavík and Faxaflói bay on a clear day. Many people go up one branch and down the other to make a loop. Add an hour or more if you go beyond Steinn, and pack warm layers and wind protection even in July.
Esja can be hiked all year, but winter changes the rules. Once snow arrives, ice spikes are essential, and the western path is the safer choice in winter and spring because of lower avalanche and rockfall risk. Above Steinn, winter conditions are only for experienced mountaineers with proper gear. Public buses no longer stop at the trailhead, so plan on driving or taking a taxi.
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Good to know
How long does it take to hike Mount Esja?
The route from Mógilsá to Steinn is 6.2 kilometers, climbs 575 meters and takes about three hours. Continuing to Þverfellshorn adds more time and a steeper climb.
Where do you park for the Esja hike?
Park at the trailhead lot at Mógilsá, at the foot of the mountain beside Route 1, about 20 minutes north of central Reykjavík.
How high is Mount Esja?
The highest point of the Esja range is 914 meters. Most hikers stop at Steinn or at the Þverfellshorn viewpoint, which is 780 meters high.
Can you hike Esja in winter?
Yes, but carry ice spikes and use the western path, which has lower avalanche and rockfall risk. Going above Steinn in winter is only for skilled mountaineers.
Can you get to Mount Esja by bus?
Not easily. Strætó route 57 dropped its stop at the Esja trailhead in 2021 for safety reasons, and the nearest stop is about a kilometer away with no footpath.
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