Hestfjall
Almost an island in its own right — surrounded by the Hvítá river and Hestvatn lake — Hestfjall is one of South Iceland's finest viewpoint mountains, and the very spot where the great earthquakes of 2000 were born.
About the Mountain
Hestfjall ("Horse Mountain") is one of the most recognisable mountains in Grímsnes. It rises to roughly 320 metres above sea level — though you'll see other figures online (some sources cite 317 m, while Wikipedia lists 371 m; the local hiking club Ferðafélag Árnesinga and the Icelandic tourism source NAT both put it at 317–320 m). However you measure it, the mountain has a striking triangular shape with its highest point at the northern end, a place known as Hesteyru — "the horse's ears".
What makes Hestfjall geographically remarkable is that it is almost completely surrounded by water. The mighty Hvítá river wraps around its eastern and southern flanks on its way to the sea, while Hestvatn ("Horse Lake") lies to the west and northwest. The mountain feels almost like an island rising from a moat, which makes for unforgettable views in every direction once you reach the top.
The Earthquakes of 2000
Hestfjall has a major place in modern Icelandic seismic history. In June 2000, two of the largest earthquakes ever recorded in South Iceland — both around magnitude 6.5 — had their epicentres in and around the mountain. They damaged farmhouses across Grímsnes and Árnessýsla and reshaped the landscape in subtle ways that geologists still study today. Standing on the ridge, it's striking to think that this quiet, wind-swept place was the trigger for the most powerful tremor most living Icelanders have ever felt.
The View — Possibly the Best in South Iceland
Hestfjall is widely regarded as one of the finest viewpoint mountains on the south side of Iceland. From the summit, it is said that you can see more than 20 churches across the lowland farms, and the panorama reaches all the way out to the open Atlantic and the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar).
To the west, you look out across Hestvatn lake to Ingólfsfjall and Búrfell in Grímsnes. The full mountain ring on view from the top includes:
- Lyngdalsheiði, Kálfstindar, Laugarvatnsfjall, Efstadalsfjall
- Hlöðufell, Bjarnarfell, Jarlhettur, Bláfell
- Vörðufell, Mosfell, Langjökull glacier
- Búrfell in Þjórsárdalur, Hekla, Tindfjöll, Þríhyrningur
- Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers
The Trail
The standard route up Hestfjall starts from the farm Vatnsnes, whose home fields reach almost to the foot of the mountain. From there you walk up the slope to the long summit ridge, follow it north to the Hesteyru high point, and return the same way.
There is also a 4×4 jeep track that climbs partway up the mountain. If you have a proper 4-wheel-drive vehicle (a Land Cruiser, Hilux, or similar), you can drive a portion of the route to shorten the hike — useful if you're heading up later in the day or want to focus on the summit itself rather than the full ascent. Always assess track conditions before attempting it, and never drive on closed roads in spring during the thaw.
Folklore: The Monster Beneath Hestfjall
Like its neighbour Búrfell, Hestfjall comes with its own old legend. According to folk tradition, a tunnel runs under the mountain itself, and a monster (skrímsli) hides inside it. From time to time the creature is said to be seen out in the middle of the Hvítá river. The story goes that whenever the monster slithers out of its tunnel, the river follows it down into the depths — and the bed of Hvítá below the mountain runs dry until the creature returns.
Whether you believe in monsters or not, it's a wonderful detail to keep in mind as you stand on top of Hestfjall and look down at the river curving around the mountain. Combined with the nykur water-horse legend at Búrfell, it's clear that Grímsnes has its share of supernatural inhabitants — a fitting backdrop for a hiking day in the Golden Circle.
Distance from Cabin
About 25–30 minutes by car from Northern Lights Cabin — drive towards Borg / Hvítárbrú and you'll find the farm Vatnsnes on the way to the mountain.
Summit Elevation
~320 m above sea level (sources vary between 317, 320 and 371 m). Highest point at the northern end, called Hesteyru.
Difficulty
Moderate. Steady ascent from the farm Vatnsnes — manageable for most reasonably fit hikers and a good option for families with older children.
Duration
Allow 3–4 hours round trip from the trailhead. Less if you take the 4×4 track partway up.
Almost an Island
Hvítá river flanks the east and south; Hestvatn lake sits to the west and northwest. The mountain feels almost surrounded by water.
Earthquake Epicentre
The major South Iceland earthquakes of June 2000 (~M6.5) had their epicentres in and around Hestfjall — a key site in modern Icelandic seismology.
The View
Said to take in more than 20 churches and reach all the way to the Westman Islands. Hekla, Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, Langjökull and the full southern mountain ring are all visible on a clear day.
Admission
Free. Best from late May through October. In winter the upper slopes are snow-covered and the 4×4 track is impassable.
Location & Directions
Hestfjall sits in the lower Grímsnes area, about 25–30 minutes by car from Northern Lights Cabin.
From Northern Lights Cabin
- Drive time: ~25–30 minutes
- Direction: Drive south towards Borg and Hvítárbrú (the bridge over the Hvítá river).
- Trailhead: The hike starts from the farm Vatnsnes, which you'll find on the way to the mountain. The farm's home fields run nearly all the way to the base of Hestfjall.
- Parking: Park near the farm — but respect the working farm and do not block farm tracks or gates.
- 4×4 option: A jeep track climbs part of the way up the mountain. If you have a Land Cruiser or comparable 4-wheel-drive vehicle in dry conditions, this can shorten the hike considerably.
Good to Know
- Wear sturdy hiking boots — the upper slopes are rocky and the summit ridge can be uneven.
- Bring a windproof shell — the ridge is exposed and noticeably windier than the valley below.
- Pack water, snacks and a charged phone with offline maps.
- Best season is late May through October. In winter and early spring, snow on the upper slopes makes navigation harder and the 4×4 track is impassable.
- Always check the weather at vedur.is before heading out — South Iceland's weather can change in minutes, and a bad day on Hestfjall robs you of the very thing you came for: the view.
- Pair it with Búrfell the day before — they make a fantastic two-mountain pairing in Grímsnes, both with their own folklore.
- Respect the land and the farm: stay on tracks, take all rubbish back with you, and close any gates you open.