Helgafell is a small mountain 73 metres high, inland from Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland. The name means "holy mountain". Þórólfr Mostrarskegg, the first settler in the area, built a temple to Thor on it, and the hill appears in both Eyrbyggja saga and Laxdæla saga. Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir lived her last years here. The summit gives a view over the fjord and its islands.
Helgafell
Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir, the heroine of Laxdæla saga, lived out her last years at Helgafell and is said to be buried on the hill.
- Entrance
- Not free — a fee is charged to climb the mountain.
- Accessibility
- Not accessible — steep grassy path, no railings
- Parking
- Free by Helgafell church
- Difficulty
- Short climb on a footpath; 10–15 minutes from the gate to the top.
- Transport
- Self-drive — off Route 58, south of Stykkishólmur
- Address
- Helgafell, 341 Stykkishólmur
What makes it special
Helgafell means "holy mountain", and the name is older than Christianity in Iceland. Þórólfr Mostrarskegg, the first settler in this part of Snæfellsnes, built a temple to Thor on the hill. The place then entered the sagas twice over. Eyrbyggja saga tells Þórólfr's story, and Laxdæla saga brings Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir to Helgafell for the last part of her life. Folklore attaches a condition to the climb: those who go up in the manner tradition requires are granted three wishes. From the summit the view runs over Stykkishólmur and the islands of Breiðafjörður.
Good to know
- Low cloud: the view is the whole reward, so a clouded-in summit means a wasted walk.
- With children: it is a low hill and a short climb, and children manage it without trouble.
- Farm dogs: dogs from the farm at the foot often follow walkers up and back down again.
Getting there
Helgafell stands inland from Stykkishólmur, in West Iceland. The last stretch is on foot. An entry gate at the foot of the hill marks the start of the footpath, and the path climbs from there to the summit. A farm sits at the foot of the hill.
Best time to visit
Better: a clear day.
Avoid: the days after snowfall.
The reason to climb is the view over Breiðafjörður and its islands, so visibility decides whether the walk is worth making. In winter snow covers the footpath and hides the line it takes up the hill.
Access & restrictions
A text at the entry gate sets out how the hill is to be walked. Read it before you start up. The tradition is exacting: the climb is made in silence, and you do not look back until you are at the top. Helgafell is a burial site as well as a viewpoint.
Things to do nearby
All tours in Stykkishólmur on GetYourGuide
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Sun & daylight
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Helgafell on the map
In winter the footpath is covered in snow and ice, and the route is easy to lose on the way up.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the wish tradition at Helgafell?
Folklore says that anyone who climbs the hill without talking and without looking back is granted three wishes.Is Helgafell free to climb?
No. A fee is charged for the climb, and it is still being collected.How hard is the climb?
It is a low hill, and the way up is a footpath rather than a scramble. Children manage it. In winter snow and ice make the path hard to follow.What can you see from the top?
Stykkishólmur, the islands of Breiðafjörður and the farmland around the hill.Which sagas mention Helgafell?
Eyrbyggja saga tells the story of Þórólfr Mostrarskegg, who built a temple to Thor here. Laxdæla saga places Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir at Helgafell at the end of her life.