Mosfellsbær: Hiking, Nature and Culture

Mosfellsbær between hiking trails and culture

Mosfellsbær brings together hiking trails, nature and cultural attractions. The different highlights can help guide your choice of hotel: hiking and scenery take centre stage at Mosfell, Álafoss combines a waterfall with industrial history, Gljúfrasteinn is associated with the life of Halldór Laxness, and Lágafellslaug offers a range of bathing facilities. Consider which of these interests you want to shape your trip; this will help you search for a place to stay that suits the purpose of your visit, rather than treating all the places as similar day-trip destinations.

Hiking at Mosfell and in the municipality

The hiking trail up Mosfell is a well-marked, family-friendly circular route. The landscape itself is also part of the experience: Mosfell consists of layered lava flows that have built up over time. The route also has historical associations with the legendary treasure of Egill Skallagrímsson. Geology and saga offer different perspectives on hiking at Mosfell—from the formation of the landscape to an Icelandic legend.

The marked hiking trail network in Mosfellsbær covers about 90 km and includes 10 car parks, as well as numerous stiles and footbridges. For planning purposes, it is helpful to distinguish between these figures: the approximately 90 km refers to the network as a whole, while the trail up Mosfell is a single circular route. The car parks and crossings are also part of the hiking infrastructure described here, providing additional practical reference points alongside the approximate total length.

Álafoss: waterfall and wool history

Álafoss is a waterfall on the Varmá River. The Álafoss Nature Reserve covers 1.4 hectares, bringing the protected natural environment into view alongside the waterfall. Wool processing began at Álafoss in 1896. Nature and industrial history therefore come together in one place: the water shapes the landscape, while the start of wool processing marks the area’s historical connection with the wool industry. Visitors interested in both will find two distinct themes here, without needing to combine them into a single story.

Gljúfrasteinn, Helgufoss and Lágafellslaug

Gljúfrasteinn was home to Nobel Prize-winning author Halldór Laxness and his family for half a century. This long period of residence gives the place a biographical dimension: the focus is not only on a famous name, but also on the family history of a long-time home. A lovely hiking trail leads from Gljúfrasteinn along the Kaldakvísl River to Helgufoss waterfall. This brings together a literary story and a hike along the river to a waterfall as distinct travel interests.

Lágafellslaug adds a swimming pool to the hiking and cultural attractions. It has a 25-metre competition pool and three water slides. There are also two hot tubs, a massage pool and a cold pool. The facilities therefore include different types of pools, slides and a competition pool—offering a different kind of activity from hiking or exploring local history. When planning your trip, you can consider this option regardless of whether hiking, nature or culture is your main priority.

Discover more destinations: Hafnarfjördur, Garðabær, Seltjarnarnes, Reykjavik, Kópavogur.

Return to the main travel overview: Höfudborgarsvædi.