Vífilsfell

Vífilsfell is one of the beautiful mountains in the vicinity of the capital area. Vífilsfell is interesting from a geological point of view as it was formed in two eruptions under an Ice Age glacier. The walk should be suitable for most people who are in decent shape. Nevertheless, you have to be careful in some places in steep slopes and tuff. You start from the parking lot, then walk along the road until you reach the sign where the ascent begins. First you go up a clear path up a steep slope. When you come out of the rocky area, you walk along a flat ledge and there you can see the top of the mountain, which is made of tuff, and there are stiles that show you the way up there. In the top rock belts, there are ropes in two places that facilitate the ascent, and on the summit there is a viewing platform installed by Ferðafélag Íslands. The view over the capital is fantastic and you can see Grótta 25 km away. Esja, Móskarðhnjúkar, Skjaldbreiður and Hengill are also visible. You can go to Vífilsfell all year round, but be careful not to go in strong winds, as gusts can be difficult up there. The slopes are so steep that you have to use a hiking ax and ice pick in the winter and know the ice ax brake to avoid a possible accident. Circumstances may be such that chain spikes (Esjubroddar) are not adequate safety equipment. It is worth noting that Vífilsfell was chosen as the town mountain of Kópavog in an election in 2013.