Esja

Esja, also referred to as Esjan, situated across the Faxafloi Bay, 25 km towards the north of Reykjavik, is an imposing 914-metre mountain that is popular with locals as well as tourists. This much-sought-after hiking location comprises a volcanic mountain range and is often confused as a single mountain. 

Esja, also referred to as Esjan, situated across the Faxafloi Bay, 25 km towards the north of Reykjavik, is an imposing 914-metre mountain that is popular with locals as well as tourists. This much-sought-after hiking location comprises a volcanic mountain range and is often confused as a single mountain.

Esja, which comprises basalt and tuff, literally means ‘rock flake’ or ‘carving stone’ and Kjalnesinga Saga suggests its connection between the name of a rich widow ‘Esja’, who lived here with Irish settlers during early days. However, it is not ascertained whether the mountain influenced her name or her name influenced the mountain. Geologists believe that Esja was formed during the initial period of the Ice Age, when lava flowed, forming turf under the glacier. Interestingly, the western and eastern parts of the mountain were not formed during the same era and there was a time lapse of about 1.4 million years between them, as the western side was formed 3.2 million years ago and the eastern side 1.8 million years ago.  Again, the summits towards the eastern side of the mountain range known as Móskarðshnúkar, are usually light in colour possibly due to the high rhyolite content.

Esja is a perennial favourite among hikers and paths lead to two popular peaks, the 780-metre Þverfellshorn, and the 851-metre Kerhólakambur. With Hábunga the highest point at 914 metres, the mountain is riddled with various paths, with some marked according to the levels of difficulty. Of course, hikers must be aware of dangers that lie here and avalanches too are common, with the last occurring in 2020.

LOCATION

 

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