Top Things to Do in Húsafell, Iceland
Húsafell is a tiny village surrounded by glaciers, ample hiking opportunities, and miles of lava fields. Most tourists make a stop to camp; visit two beautiful waterfalls, Hraunfossar and Barnafossar; and check out some lava caves in nearby Reykholt or explore the Langjökull ice tunnel. Organized trips with a tour operator to Langjökull glacier are available from Húsafell throughout the year.
Sights
Hraunfossar (Lava Waterfalls)
Route 518, 6.4 km (4 mi) west of Húsafell, GPS coordinates N 64.7028, W 20.9777
Hraunfossar (Lava Waterfalls) is a series of falls streaming over 900 m (2,953 ft) out of a lava field. The lava flowed from an eruption from a volcano lying under the Langjökull glacier. The falls are beautiful to visit in any season, and rainbows are frequently seen near the water on both rainy and sunny days. There is a parking area to the left of the falls, and it’s a short walk to a platform overlooking Hraunfossar.
Barnafossar
Route 518, GPS coordinates N 64.7015, W 20.9727
Two km (1.2 mi) west of Húsafell on Route 518, Barnafossar (Children’s Falls) is a stunning waterfall, wide with water rushing over a rocky landscape creating several cascades. It was named for children who disappeared from a nearby farm and drowned in the river, and lore has it that the mother of the disappeared children put a curse on the falls that people should not cross the river. Barnafossar shares the same parking area as Hraunfossar, and it is a short walk to the falls.
The Cave
Fljotstunga; tel. 354/783-3600; www.thecave.is; 9am-6pm daily June-Aug., 10am-4pm daily Mar.-May and Sept.-Oct., 10am-3pm daily Dec.-Feb.; adults 8,000ISK, children 7-15 4,000ISK, children 6 and under free
Located 11 km (6.8 mi) north of Húsafell on Route 518, the largest cave in Iceland, Víðgelmir is only accessible through a tour. The Cave can take you to explore the beautiful ice formations, including scores of stalactites and stalagmites. There is a walking path inside most of the cave, but there are uneven surfaces, so take care. You will be provided a helmet with a headlight. The tour is 1.5 hours long.
Hiking
Hikers have a number of options in Húsafell, ranging from easy walks to more challenging climbs. Before you set out, be sure to check the weather forecast, bring the proper gear and plenty of drinking water, and let people know your whereabouts. The prime hiking season is June-August.
Mount Strútur
Distance: 2 km (1.2 mi) round-trip; Hiking Time: 2 hours; Information and Maps: www.west.is; Trailhead: Low hill north of Kalmanstunga
To climb to the summit of the 938 m (3,078 ft) Mount Strútur, it is recommended you start from the low hill north of the farm Kalmanstunga and follow a signposted track that leads up the mountain. The total elevation gain is 469 m (1,539 ft), and the payoff for reaching the top is a spectacular view of mountains and the Borgarfjörður fjord. Kalmanstunga is 17 km (11 mi) north of Húsafell and can be reached by Route 518.
Oddar
Distance: 4 km (2.5 mi) round-trip; Hiking Time: 1.5 hours; Information and Maps: www.husafell.is; Trailhead: Summerhouse settlement
The summerhouse settlement (a collection of summerhouses) in the center of Húsafell is the starting point for wooded paths heading westward for an easy walk along Oddar, a group of brooks with diverse birdlife. From here it is just a short walk upriver to the meeting point of two rivers: the Norðlingafljót and Hvítá. Just below Hvítá is the waterfall Hundavaðsfoss, a great place to stop and marvel at the beauty. The route then leads southeast along the sands just past the waterfall to a path leading back to the summerhouse settlement. The walk is very easy.
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Other Sports and Recreation
Into the Glacier
Viðarhöfði 1; tel. 354/578-2550; www.intotheglacier.is; tours from 19,920ISK
For those looking for a little ice in Iceland, Into the Glacier offers 3-4-hour tours to the world’s largest human-made ice cave, Langjökull. A super truck picks up visitors close to Hotel Húsafell for a breathtaking journey across Langjökull to the tour company’s base camp, which takes 25 minutes. The cave itself is an engineering feat in which visitors are treated to views of crevasses and the smooth ice walls. LED lighting embedded in the walls illuminates the ice nicely, and benches are scattered throughout the tunnel.
Húsafell Swimming Pool
Stórarjóður; tel. 354/435-1552; www.husafell.com; 10am-10pm daily June-Sept., 1pm-5pm Sat.-Sun. Oct.-May; 1,500ISK
The Húsafell Swimming Pool has two pools, two hot tubs, and a big water slide for kids.
Húsafell Golf Course
Stórarjóður, GPS coordinates N 64.6991, W 20.8709; tel. 354/435-1552; www.husafell.is; 8am-6pm daily May-Sept.; greens fees 4,000ISK
This nine-hole course is situated on a gorgeous patch of land overlooking mountains and lava fields. You must call ahead for a tee time.
Food and Accommodations
Hraunfossar Restaurant-Café
Hraunás 4; tel. 354/862-7957; 10am-4pm daily; 2,200ISK
Located at the Lava Waterfalls, Hraunfossar Restaurant-Café has a good selection of light meals and snacks. Sit on the eatery’s porch to enjoy coffee, cakes, ice cream, and sandwiches along with a nice view.
Hotel Húsafell
Borgarbyggd; tel. 354/435-1551; https://www.husafell.com/accommodation/hotel-husafell; from 40,000ISK
This modern 48-room hotel opened in 2015. The location is unbeatable, as it is nestled in a scenic spot with stunning views of the mountain landscape, close to lava caves and glaciers. Rooms feature comfortable beds, private baths, and modern design accents, including wood furnishings and large windows. A breakfast buffet is included in the room rates, and 24-hour room service is available. A pool and hot tubs are on-site, and the in-house restaurant (11:30am-10pm daily; entrées from 5,500ISK) is not to be missed. The menu features everything from tender lamb fillet to fresh fish.
Húsafell Campground
tel. 354/435-1551; www.husafell.com; adults 1,980ISK, children 990ISK
The Húsafell Campground is an open campground surrounded by trees, which cuts down on the wind a bit. RVs and tents are welcome, and the facilities include restrooms, showers, hot and cold water, and laundry machines. The site is a short distance from the swimming pool, golf course, and hiking trails.
Getting to Húsafell
Húsafell is 25 km (16 mi) east from Reykholt on Route 518, which is paved.
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