Húsavíkurfjall from Skálatjörn Hiking trail
More information
Region
Norðurland, Norðurþing
Markings
Marked trail, at regular intervals
Duration
1 - 2 hours
Surface
- Gravel
- Grass
- Mixed surface - e.g. soil, stones, grass
Obstacles
Step - A step, ledge, stair or low ledge that must be stepped on
Hazards
- Car traffic
- Cyclist traffic
Service on the trail
No service
Lighting
Unilluminated
Period
The trail is generally accessible from spring through autumn, or until snow conditions become too challenging.
The hike begins just south of the house Ytri-Hlíð in Skálabrekka. If you're arriving by car, it's convenient to park by the Húsavík Sports Hall, located just below the trailhead.
The route starts on a pleasant woodland path before reaching a junction where you turn right onto a smaller trail. A little further on, turn left onto a wider gravel track before climbing a flight of steps that leads towards Skálatjörn, a small pond that is often dry during the summer months.
From there, the trail continues along grassy paths to Fjallshólar, where the main ascent of Húsavíkurfjall begins. This section follows a mountain road that is accessible to four-wheel-drive vehicles, so hikers should be aware of occasional traffic.
At the summit, you'll find a panoramic viewpoint with an orientation disc identifying many of the surrounding landmarks. On a clear day, you can see across four different municipalities: Norðurþing, Tjörneshreppur, Þingeyjarsveit and Grímsey, which is part of the municipality of Akureyri.
The route then descends the opposite side of the mountain, where you'll enjoy excellent views over Botnsvatn and the surrounding peaks of Búrfell, Gyðuhnúkur and Krubbur. The trail loops around the northern side of the mountain before returning to Fjallshólar, from where you follow the same route back to the starting point.
This varied hike combines woodland trails, open mountain landscapes and panoramic viewpoints, making it one of the most rewarding hikes in the Húsavík area.