Esjan up to Steinn Hiking trail

Esja, one of Reykjavík's iconic mountains, is one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas in the capital region, with tens of thousands of people engaging in mountain hiking and outdoor activities there every year. Steinn at Þverfellshornshálsi is the destination that most people aim for during their hike. The distance from the base of the mountain to Steinn is about 6.6 km, and the walking time is 1–3 hours, depending on the pace. The route starts from the parking lot at Mógilsá in Kollafjörður. After a short walk from the parking lot, you come to a footbridge before heading up Þvergil. Next you will come to Smágil, where the path splits in two. One of the two paths crosses a bridge over Mógilsá, continues up Mógil, and follows the marked path along the slopes of Þverfellshorn to Steinn. However, in this walk, the steeper and more direct route is chosen. This path goes up the gravel track west of Mógil, continues through Einarsmýri to Steinn, and then the same route is retraced on the way down. It is essential to follow the marked path for safety reasons and to protect the vegetation, as many people visit Esja every day. In winter, it is necessary to have ice spikes with you, as the path can be very icy. The outdoor recreation areas of Esja are managed by the Reykjavík Forest Society, a non-profit organization. More information can be found at heidmork.is.