Iceland

Let yourself be impressed by the island of ice and fire.

Esja

Esja

Esja is Reykjavík's most iconic mountain, constantly visible from the north coast of Reykjavík across Kollafjörður Bay.
Esja is Reykjavík's most iconic mountain, constantly visible from the north coast of Reykjavík across Kollafjörður Bay. Esja is actually not a single mountain, but a chain of volcanic peaks and is 914 metres at its highest peak, located in Kjalarnes, 10 km from Reykjavík, past the town of Mossfellsbær. Esja is referred to in the Kjalarnes Saga. It describes a young Irishman named Búi, who lives in Esjuberg with his Irish foster mother, named Esja. Esja is a self-sufficient single woman and is often described as a sorceress.According to Reykjavik locals, Esja is home to Iceland's 13 Yule Lads, who come down the mountain one at a time in the days leading up to Christmas to play pranks and leave small gifts in the shoes of children who have been good all year.The climb to Esja is very popular with locals and visitors, as a day trip from Reykjavik. Public transport runs directly from Reykjavík to the trailhead and the hike takes half a day.