Discovering Iceland’s Majestic Mountains

The famous quote says, “In the mountains, you find peace,” and when taking on one of Iceland’s majestic mountains, you get to understand what it really means. Not only do the mountains in Iceland make for some impressive snapshots, but they offer breathtaking views over the Icelandic landscape and are go-to’s for outdoor summer adventures such as hiking.

If you are planning a trip to Iceland soon and would like to add a few of our mountains to your trip itinerary, the following should definitely make it onto the list:

Mount Esja

Mount Esja is the perfect mountain outing if you’ve got limited time on the island and will mostly stick to the borders of the capital city. In fact, on good weather days, the mountain is clearly seen from the Reykjavik Harbor.

A 50-minute drive will get you to the 914-meter-high mountain, where you can enjoy a hike offering views over the capital, where the Mogilsa River runs into the ocean and the rest of the surrounding landscape. Just note that the last bit of the hiking trail before summiting the mountain is rated as Hard, so you won’t be able to hike the entire trail up to the top with elderly or young children in your party.

Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar is known as one of the most colorful landscapes in Iceland. That is because the Rhyolite in the area, with many other minerals from thousands of years of volcanic activity, displays as pink, green, brown, yellow, and orange. Because of Landmannalaugar’s geology, we can admire a rainbow landscape!

Landmannalaugar is located in Fjallabak Nature Receive in the Southern Highlands of Iceland and is home to one of the most famous hiking trails in the country: the Landmannalaugar Trek.

This trail connects Thorsmork Valley to the Skogafoss Waterfall, is considered a challenging route, and will take roughly 4 days to complete (depending on your pace, of course). But the views, trekking across lava fields, and taking welcoming dips (and breaks!) in the hot springs along the way make it all worthwhile.

Those who would like to take a hike at Landmannalaugar but don’t want to take on a multi-day trek can do the 3.2-kilometer hike from Landmannalaugar Tourist Information Center to Frostastadavatn (a crater lake that is very popular among avid birdwatchers and a go-to place for spotting the Great Northern Diver during the summertime as well as the Arctic Char).

There is also a “lazy man’s” way of visiting Landmannalaugar by taking a helicopter ride from Reykjavik. These 4-hours cover various Icelandic landmarks and highlights such as Landmannalaugar, Gullfoss Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park, and Eyjafjallajökull.

Hekla Mountain

Okay, technically, Hekla is a volcano, one of Iceland’s most active ones, with the last eruption in 2000. Hekla is just a 2-hour drive from the capital city and not only allows visitors to hike up its slopes, but one can also stop at the Hekla Center, where you can learn everything there is to know about this volcano and its surroundings. 

Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell has earned the title of being Iceland’s most photographed mountain. Because of its dome shape, it’s also often referred to as Church Mountain. But some know it as Arrowhead Mountain because of its “role” in the popular series, Game of Thrones. Photographers love Kirkjufell for its many “sides.”

One can take photos of the mountain with the Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall in the foreground, or one of the mountain reflected in the lake below, or one can capture some incredible panoramic pics of Iceland when hiking the 463-meter high mountain. Kirkjufell can be found less than 3 kilometers outside of the town of Grundarfjördur in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Snæfellsjökull

Snæfellsjökull is yet another volcano masquerading as a mountain (a 700,000-year-old volcano, to be exact). Snæfellsjökull makes for quite an impressive sight as the towering 1446-meter mountain sitting on the tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is topped by a dramatic-looking glacier stretching almost 12 square kilometers.

Snæfellsjökull and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula are very interesting places, and you should definitely visit the Visitor Center in Malarrif to learn more about the mountain and the region’s mythology.

Blafjöll Mountains

The Blafjöll Mountains, also known as the Blue Mountains, straddle the Mid-Atlantic Rift (where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates push away from each other).

These mountains are not just known for their summer outdoor hiking adventures but are also a favorite among those who wish to ski during the winter. Other claims to fame of this mountain range are the hike up Blafjöll Volcano and the Leidarendi Lava Tube, which is open to the public to explore.

Namafjall Mountain

Namafjall makes for an impressive pass running almost 400 meters above sea level through the Namafjall Geothermal Area, full of boiling mud pots, fumaroles, and steamy hot springs (no, these are not the kind you want to take a dip in).

Namafjell Mountain can be found in the Northeast of Iceland, just an hour from Akureyri (the so-called capital city of the north). Because it’s located so conveniently close to our popular Ring Road, many opt to include it as a stop along their Ring Road road trip.

Hverfjall Mountain

Hverfjall is an intriguing cone-shaped crater mountain that’s 4,500 years old and clocking in at 396 meters tall. It is located in the north of Iceland. There are various ways to explore the mountain. You can either hike up its north slope or come from its south side.

Once at the top, you’ll be able to walk around the crater’s rim (which will take you about half an hour) and be spoilt with breathtaking views over the Namafjall Geothermal Area, Lake Myvatn, and its “neighbor” the Dimmuborgir Lava Field. 

Naustahvilft

Naustahvilft can be found in the remote region of the Westfjords in Iceland, overlooking the small fishing village of Isafjördur. You will find one of Iceland’s most popular hiking trails here since many want to hike up to the top of Naustahvilft to walk on its flat top and see the strange shape on its surface that has earned it the name of The Troll’s Seat. This is a loop trail, and although the last part of the hike can become pretty steep, the rest is relatively easy.

Reynisfjall

Reynisfjall acts as the dramatic backdrop to one of our most famous black sand beaches here in Iceland, Reynisfjara. Reynisfjall stretches almost 5 kilometers along the coastline, at a height of nearly 340 meters. This mountain near the village of Vik offers incredible ocean views, including the Reynisdrangar Rock Formations.

Mount Helgafell

Mount Helgafell is yet another mountain found in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and looks more like a hill than a mountain (why it’s often referred to as the Sacred Hill). But this 73-meter “mountain” is not to be missed if you believe in the folklore surrounding it.

It is said that if you hike up Helgafell without ever looking back or talking, you will be granted three wishes (essentially making Helgafell the mountain version of a genie). Whether the legend is true or not remains for you to find out, but you are guaranteed magnificent views across Breidafjördur Bay from the top of Helgafell.

Kaldbakur Mountain

First, we need to clarify that there are two Kaldbakur Mountains in Iceland. The one we will be referring to is the one on the east shore of the Eyjfajördur Fjord on Iceland’s north coast, just 20 minutes from Akureyri. The mountain stands 914 meters tall, and the hike that starts just north of the village of Grenivik promises incredible views over the fjord and Hrisey Island.

Mount Keilir

Mount Keilir can be found on the Reykjanes Peninsula, halfway between the capital city and Keflavik Airport. But Keilir is more like a geological and historical marvel than just another famous mountain in Iceland. The cone-shaped Keilir consists of a glassy rock called Hyaloclastite, formed by volcanic eruptions that occurred beneath a sheet of ice.

This iconic 379-meter-high mountain also served as a guide to those sailing the seas long before lighthouses even existed. Today, you can hike up Keilir (this will take about 3 hours), and on good weather days, you can see as far as the Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik.

Vestrahorn Mountain

The Vestrahorn Mountain can be found in South-east Iceland, near the town of Höfn. This mountain has a dark, ominous look about it due to it consisting of mainly iron and magnesium-rich Gabbro rock, giving it its characteristic jagged appearance. Vestrahorn is about 454 meters high and has two very distinct peaks. The fact that it lies along the coast with its black sand beaches makes Vestrahorn an even more dramatic sight.

Bulandstindur

We’re certain that if you give a hard-core conspiracy theorist half the chance, they’ll be coming up with some pretty good stories surrounding Bulandstindur. This mountain is 100% natural, but almost seems like someone (or something) had to build it due to its incredible pyramid-like shape. This mountain lies 1069 meters above sea level in Djupivogur (a small fishing village in East Iceland) and is something you’ll need to see to believe. 

Make Your Way to Iceland’s Mountains

As you can see, Iceland’s most majestic mountains lie scattered all across the country. The best way to explore most of these mountains in Iceland is to rent a campervan in Reykjavik upon arrival and then take a road trip around the island, making mountain pitstops along the way. Just use this article as a guide to compile the ultimate trip itinerary that contains all the most famous mountains in Iceland.