If you’re a hiker in Iceland you’ve likely heard of Mount Esja. Iceland’s most popular hiking trail is hard to miss – the mountain quite literally towers over the capital city of Reykjavik.
Mount Esja has rightfully earned its popularity, and not only because it’s only 25 minutes from downtown. Its rock scrambles, trickling mountain streams, and sweeping views of the city easily made it one of my favorite hikes on my Iceland trip.
So are you trying to explore the best of Iceland’s hiking trails and waterfalls? Are you in Reykjavik and just looking for some adventure? With a variety of different trails available, hiking Mount Esja is a great day trip for everyone. From the hiking novice to the outdoor enthusiast, Esja has trails for you. But there’s plenty to know before you go, which is why you’ve come to the right place. From weather to clothing to how to get there, here’s the ultimate guide to hiking Mount Esja.
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Iceland Quick Links
✈️ Flights – Use Kiwi.com or WayAway to find the cheapest and fastest flights to the Reykjavik Airport
🛏️ Accommodation – Find the best places to stay all along the Ring Road on Booking.com
✅ Get Insured – I personally use Safety Wing Nomad Insurance for my travels all around the world! VisitorsCoverage is another great option.
🚗 Rent a Car – Find the best deals for your Iceland road trip on RentalCars.com
🗺️ Find Things to Do – Check out Get Your Guide or Viator for exciting adventures all around Iceland
☎ Buy a Sim – Airalo offers eSIMS for over 200 countries and regions
The Mount Esja Basics
Total Distance: Shortest route 1 mile, longest route 4.5 miles
Duration: 30 minutes – 5 hours depending on route
Elevation Gain: 750 meters
Difficulty Level: Beginner to Moderate (many trail options)
Location: 30 minutes from Downtown Reykjavik | View in Google Maps
Cost: Free
The Best Time to Hike Mount Esja
Mount Esja is one of the highest mountains near Reykjavik. While it’s a fairly straightforward hike in the warmer months conditions can be icy or even impassable during the winter. The best time to hike Mount Esja is in the summer, from mid-May to mid-September.
You’ll start to see snow in Iceland as early as October, leaving the route impassable until early May unless you are a skilled mountaineer with proper equipment. Make sure to research the local weather conditions before attempting to hike Mount Esja, and remember that sunlight hours are shorter during winter months in Iceland.
Traveling solo but don’t want to trek alone? Join this guided hike to Mount Esja or skip the hike altogether and enjoy the views from this helicopter tour, landing at the peak of Mount Esja!
How to Get to Mount Esja
Mount Esja is located about 20-30 minutes outside Reykjavik, easily accessible by both bus and car. Located right off of Þjóðvegur 1, perhaps better known as Iceland’s Ring Road, Esja’s parking area is clearly marked and easily viewed from the road.
How to Get to Mount Esja by Car
From the city center of Reykjavik, take Route 49 (Miklabraut) for about 15 minutes until it meets Route 1. Turn onto Route 1 heading north for 15.9km until you see the Mount Esja parking lot on your right. It is free to park your car in the lot at all hours of the day.
Pro Tip: The best way to visit Iceland is by renting a car so you can have full control over your time and itinerary. We used RentalCars.com to find an affordable rental car with pickup from the Reykjavik International Airport.
How to Get to Mount Esja by Bus
From Reykjavik’s main bus station Hlemmur, take bus number 5 towards Artun. From the Artun bus stop, take bus number 57 towards Akureyri. Make sure to get off the bus at the Esja Hiking Center stop, approximately 20 minutes from the Artun bus station. The stop is located right next to the Mount Esja parking area, and the trailhead should be easily visible. To return to Reykjavik, just take bus 57 heading back to Artun, but make sure to check the Strato schedule to find out when it runs.
Understanding Mount Esja’s Trail Map
Mount Esja has a variety of different hikes, ranging from short and easy 30-minute strolls to longer, more strenuous 4-5 hour treks.
Esja offers both “mountain paths” and “forest paths,” allowing visitors to choose their level of difficulty as well as the landscape they wish to see. All paths begin at the Esjurætur starting point, and are clearly marked for most of the trek.
The Dark Brown Trail: Difficult
We opted to do the longest hike, the dark brown trail. The brown trail reaches the summit and returns along the ridge, taking most hikers around 4-5 hours.
By far the most strenuous of the Esja hikes, this route includes some rock scrambling at the top of the path right before the summit, though there are steel chains to help along the way. These difficult parts of the trail are indicated by warning signs on the trail map, but don’t let that scare you away. This trail is perfect for adventure lovers, and isn’t too technical for regular hikers.
The dark brown path takes visitors to the very peak of Esja. This point is marked on the map as Varða. There you will find a marker and an incredible view of the city of Reykjavik and surrounding fjords. Make sure to leave a coin from your home country in the box at the top, and don’t forget to sign the guestbook! The view from this spot is unparalleled, and is what Esja is best known for! Trust me, if you can make it, don’t miss it.
The dark brown trail continues across the ridge. Note that it is unmarked across the ridge-line. This is indicated on Esja’s trail map by dashed lines instead of a solid line, and is the longest section of the dark brown trail. I only recommend this trail to seasoned hikers, as the ambiguity of this hike means it can be challenging in rough weather.
Because of some impending dark clouds, we opted to come back down from the way we’d come. Even though we didn’t make it across the ridge line, we were very satisfied with our hike.
The Blue Trail: Moderate
For hikers that still want to see summit views but don’t want to hike the ridge, the blue trail takes visitors to the second highest summit point, taking most hikers around 1-2 hours. This point is clearly marked as Steinn (or rock in Icelandic!)
This trail does not require visitors to rock scramble, but still offers a breathtaking view of the city below. The blue hike is a roundtrip loop, offering a steeper section to the left and an easier section to the right. Do this trail as a full loop, or take the right path both ways for a longer but less taxing hike.
The blue path is clearly marked the entire time and easily visible from most points on the mountain. The path crosses beautiful streams and because of Esja’s lack of trees, offers panoramic views the entire time. This is definitely the best hike for moderate hikers looking for sweeping mountain views but a simple, straightforward trek.
The Green, Black, and Orange Trails: Beginner
For hikers that just want to experience a little bit of nature without too much exertion, Esja offers easier “Forest Trails.” There are a number of trail options, all of which estimate around 20-30 minutes to trek.
These forest trails pass through sweeping hills of wildflowers and beautiful green pines. While the forest trails do not offer panoramic views of the city, they do allow visitors to see a unique element of Iceland’s nature, and the towering mountain above is nothing short of astonishing. These short hikes are perfect for people simply looking for an afternoon walk or for older visitors who still want to have an authentic Icelandic outdoor experience.
Access the green and black trails from the same starting point at Esjurætur. Note that the orange trail begins behind the nearby restaurant at a point called Mogilsa. The shorter forest trails all connect, so combine them into a unique longer hike if you’re an adventurous beginner.
What to Bring To Hike Mount Esja
What to pack for an Esja hike can vary depending on the ever-changing Icelandic weather, but lucky for you, I’ve broken down everything you’ll need to trek to the summit.
The Gear
A lightweight backpack – Keep all your stuff with you while cutting down on weight. This is my go-to backpack for day trips, especially because it folds down to wallet size!
A water bottle – Nalgene was my go-to for years until I discovered Water To Go filtered water bottles, meaning I can literally drink from any body of water along the way. It’s a bit of an up-front investment, but saves you in the long run while saving the environment in the process!
Trekking Poles: An essential for making steep uphill climbs much easier on your legs and back. This pair is adjustable and packs down light.
Crampons: A non-negotiable for hiking Mount Esja in the winter. This pair from GRAYL will keep you safe on the snow and ice.
Ice Ax: Another essential for winter-hikers. Ice Axes assist in heavy snow and assist in steep uphills in extreme weather conditions.
The Clothing
A tucked-in layer: I’ve sworn by this trick since middle school, as a tucked-in layer keeps the wind from finding its way under even your warmest clothes. Check out these compression tanks for a lightweight option, or opt for an even warmer layer with this fleece-lined tank.
A long-sleeved top: I recommend long sleeves for any season in Iceland. Weather changes are common and you’ll need protection from the long sunshine hours. For hiking, consider a sweat-resistant shirt like this Nike dri-fit top or this half-zip from Columbia.
A fleece jacket: Fleece stays warm even when it’s wet, making it one of the best fabric for exploring Iceland (where rain comes out of nowhere!) Carhartt and Patagonia make some of the leading fleeces in the industry.
A water-resistant layer: For your outmost layer, make sure that baby is waterproof! For hiking in warmer months, a sturdy rain jacket like this one from Columbia is a great option. In the cooler months, consider a lightweight down jacket for added warmth.
Comfortable pants: I did my late-May Esja hike in a simple pair of leggings. Winter hikers might want to invest in a pair of waterproof pants like this pair from Columbia. Just make sure your pants are flexible and easy to move in.
A winter hat: No matter the time of year, a hat is one of the best ways to stay warm. Opt for a simple beanie, or consider some extra warmth in the wind with this face-covering option.
Solid hiking boots: For the more challenging trails on Mount Esja, consider a sturdy pair of boots with ankle support. Colombia and Merrell are both reliable brands.
Finishing Up a Mount Esja Hike
You made it! Whichever way you decide to venture out on Mount Esja, hiking this mountain is one of the best ways to explore the diverse natural world of Iceland. Whether scaling rock cliffs or wandering through meandering fields of wildflowers, there is beauty at every turn.
Now it’s time to head back to Reykjavik or drive deeper into Iceland’s Golden Circle. Treat yourself to a Pylsa (Icelandic hotdog!) along the way — after a hike like this, you deserve it!
Looking for more hikes around the world? Check out all my hiking guides from when I lived in the United Arab Emirates, or explore my in-depth guides to Turkey’s Lycian Way.
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Virginia Taylor (Ginna) is a travel writer and photographer exploring the world until her boots wear through. She’s currently on a mission to explore all 32 departments of Colombia, though she formerly called the Middle East home. Want to know more? Visit the About Page.
I love this website – its so usefull and helpfull.
The balance you strike between exploring tourist spots and off-the-beaten-path locations is perfect. I always get a holistic view of a place through your posts.
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As someone who’s a bit apprehensive about traveling, your blog gives me the confidence and motivation to step out and explore. Thanks for that.