Summit Geirmundartindur, discover Iceland’s troll legend, and take in views from Reykjanes all the way to Snæfellsjökull
LENGTH
15 km – 9,3 mi
DIFFICULTY
moderate
HIKING
10 – 16.30
DRIVING
50 minutes
ELEVATION GAIN
720 m – 2360 ft
GROUP
4 – 12
SUPER PRIVATE
1 -3
AGE LIMIT
16+
Conquer the Legendary Akrafjall
Akrafjall has a story before you even start walking. According to local legend, the mountain was carried here by a troll named Joka, who dragged it from southern Iceland and was turned to stone by the rising sun before she could finish the journey. Whether you believe it or not, Akrafjall is extraordinary – a ridge mountain near Akranes overlooking Faxaflói Bay – with views stretching from the Reykjanes Peninsula to Snæfellsjökull Glacier on a clear day. On this guided day trek in Iceland, you’ll summit Geirmundartindur (643 m), learn orienteering with a compass and altimeter, and discover hidden waterfalls and trails that most visitors to Iceland never find.
Climb the Iconic Akrafjall
The route takes you through genuinely diverse terrain: coastal approaches, hidden valleys, and a final ridge ascent that rewards you with one of the widest panoramas in western Iceland. Your local, certified mountain leader points out the geological story written into every rock face: the glacial shaping, the ancient seabed, the layers of Iceland’s volcanic history visible in the cliffs around you. Overlooking Faxaflói Bay from the summit of Geirmundartindur (643 m), the scale of what you’re looking at – from Reykjanes all the way to the Snæfellsjökull Glacier – is genuinely humbling.
Master the Art of Orienteering
Guided by a certified International Mountain Leader, this adventure goes beyond hiking. You’ll gain hands-on experience in orienteering throughout the day: learning to navigate Iceland’s wild terrain using a compass, altimeter, and natural landmarks. As you explore areas that few visitors ever reach, you’ll develop confidence and essential outdoor skills that will stay with you long after the trek ends. Your local guide shares fascinating insights into the region’s geology, wildlife, and the folklore that gives Akrafjall its character, bringing the landscape alive in a way that makes every step more meaningful.
What to Expect on the Day
Pickup from Reykjavik is available for groups of up to 8: select it at booking. Driving yourself? Akrafjall is near Akranes, about 50 minutes from Reykjavik, the longest drive of any of our tours, and the coastal road makes it scenic in its own right. Directions sent the day before.
Your local guide meets the group at the trailhead and opens with the legend of Joka: the troll who carried Akrafjall from southern Iceland and was turned to stone by the sunrise before she could reach her destination. It sets the tone for a day full of character. The initial section climbs through the lower valleys, past waterfalls that appear around corners without warning, through terrain that shifts from coastal to alpine as you gain height.
The orienteering runs throughout the day: compass and altimeter in use from early on, with your guide teaching the group to navigate using natural landmarks as well as instruments. Akrafjall’s varied terrain makes it particularly suited to this: complex enough to be a genuine challenge, open enough to allow real decision-making.
The summit, Geirmundartindur at 643 m, delivers one of the widest panoramas of any trek we offer. Lunch at the top, with that view. The descent follows a different route, uncovering new corners of the mountain on the way down. Back in Reykjavik by early evening. Total time including driving: around 8–9 hours.
Is This Trek Right for You?
Akrafjall is rated moderate: 15 km with 720 m of elevation gain. It sits between Seltún and Hengill in difficulty: more demanding than Seltún, less extreme than Hengill. The elevation gain is steady rather than brutal, making it manageable for active travelers with reasonable fitness even without extensive prior hiking experience.
It’s the most story-rich of our guided day treks in Iceland – the troll legend, the coastal geology, the panoramic summit, the hidden waterfalls – and that combination of physical challenge and narrative depth makes it particularly satisfying. Works beautifully for adventurous couples, friend groups, and solo travelers who appreciate a hike that gives them something to talk about afterwards.
Not the right choice if you’re looking for a gentle introduction to hiking in Iceland: for that, start with Helgafell or Grímannsfell.
A Journey Like No Other
Akrafjall is one of those treks where the journey is genuinely as good as the destination. The terrain changes constantly – from waterfalls in the lower valleys to open ridgelines at the top – and the sense of solitude once you’re above the treeline is complete. This isn’t just a hike. It’s a journey through history, legend, and some of western Iceland’s most spectacular and least-visited landscapes.
REMEMBER TO TAKE WITH YOU:
- Hiking shoes
- Waterproof jacket and pants
- 1 L of water
- Packed lunch
- Snacks – possibly energy bars and nuts
- Cap and (waterproof) gloves
- Spare t-shirt
Ready for Another Day Trek? Explore More: Hengill and the Hot Spring – Explore Seltún