- Address: 10 kilometers north of Reykjavik, Iceland;
- Height above sea level: 909 m;
- Relative altitude: 684 m.
Esya - a volcano that erupted more than 2 million years ago, so it is called a mountain. Located Esja in the south-west of Iceland , and is part of the mountain massif at a height of 914 meters. Behind the scenes this mountain is considered to be the guardian angel of Reykjavik , because it can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. According to legend, the name "Esya" was given in honor of a girl who was as beautiful as this ancient extinct volcano.
Why is it worth visiting Mount Esja?
Ascent to Mount Esju is one of the most popular entertainment, both for the local population and for tourists. Here you can find such a rare in Iceland forest, and a small river flowing on the mountain, makes the landscape more picturesque. Tourists are also attracted by a panoramic view of the city and the Atlantic Ocean, which opens from this mountain. In addition, routes of varying complexity are laid here. The heaviest, designated by three boots, will take you to the top - Tverfelshorn. But before that, at the penultimate stop, approximately at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level, you can record in a guest book stored in an iron box. For most tourists, this point becomes the final point of the route, because there follows a steeper and dangerous climb. If you decide to continue, then ahead expect 400 meters of steep climb, some places for security are equipped with steel cables.
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Helpful information
- If you travel by car, then at the foot of the mountain there is parking. There you will find a cafe and a map of the trails.
- Since you will climb the stony terrain, it is better to wear comfortable shoes. Also, keep in mind that if at the first roundabout you turn left - for a shorter route, then the path will pass through the swampy terrain, and you can soak your feet.
- If you do not have the skills of an experienced climber, then do not try to climb to the top in the winter. The already difficult climb is also slippery, and you can get injured. If you still decided to climb to Esya not in season, then take with you special equipment - cats and an ice ax.
- Along the way, you will constantly meet information signs, from which you can find out at what altitude you are now, how many meters are left to the top, and also how long it will take on average.
- Annually in June on Esya sports competitions on run are spent.
- When choosing clothes, take into account that the mountain is always colder and more windy, besides the weather in Iceland changes very quickly, so take with you a warm sweater and raincoat.
How to get there?
By car, you can reach the mountain from Reykjavik on the main road Iceland - Highway 1 via Mosfellsbaer.
Visit Mount Esja is also possible by public transport, in only 20 minutes. To do this, take bus number 6 at the bus stop near the bus station Hlemmur (Hlemmur), get off at the stop Haholt (Haholt), and take bus number 57 to the Esja pedestrian center. But before departure it is necessary to familiarize with the schedule, because 57 bus does not go very often, and depending on the time of departure from Reykjavik, the number of the first bus can change.