Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.09.2023, Blaðsíða 38

Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.09.2023, Blaðsíða 38
The Reykjavík Grapevine Best of Reykjavík 2023 38 A hike is nothing more than a walk on a mountain. Sure, you’ll become out of breath and your legs will ache, but there is a cer- tain charm standing on top of a mountain that wasn’t made for wandering humans. And once back down, you can proudly point at that mountain and say “Look! I was there.” A word of warning Don’t let anybody tell you that we city folks can’t hike. We sure can and we won’t let you escape a con- versation without telling you we once – almost – jogged up Esja. I mean, have you seen my Strava profile? I could definitely do it. Luckily, going on a hike near the capital area doesn’t require too much forward planning as most of the mountains in our backyard are relatively safe, with well-maintained trails. You’ll be able to finish these in less than six hours – that’s including trav- el time. While these hikes are ac- cessible, they rely on common sense and slight preparedness. Check the forecast ahead of time and listen to your gut. Are you sure you want to hike when the Met Office has issued a weath- er warning? (Don’t do it.) Dress in layers, bring water, food and snacks. Factor in that the weather up on a mountain may be different than conditions on the ground. The Icelandic weather is noto- rious for changing from a clear, blue sky to thundering rain. Most importantly, leave no trace and pick up after yourselves. Having said that, let’s take a look at some popular hikes around the capital area. Esja: The Queen of Reykjavík There’s not a child in Reykjavík that doesn’t know where Esja is. The mountain acts as a sort of watcher over the city, as it can be seen from almost anywhere in town. According to lore, this is the home of the mischievous yule lads and their slightly more sinister parents and cat. Because of its short distance from the capital and its impres- sive height, Esjan is one of the most popular hiking trails in the area. Elevation gain from the trailhead to the most com- mon destination, the boulder aptly named “Steinn,” lends you about 600 metres in elevation. The roundtrip is approximately seven kilometres. During clear weather, it is possible to hike slightly farther, to Þverfellshorn. That extra route won’t add too much to your trip – you’ll clearly see the peak from Steinn, but it requires some climbing and the assistance of bolted-on chains. As Esjan is accessible from CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN Reaching The Sky A how-to guide to hikes around Reykjavík Words: Jóhannes Bjarkason & Jón Trausti Sigurðarson Photo: Joana Fontinha & Atli Arnarson

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Reykjavík Grapevine

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