mt.Helgafell (Holy Mountain) near Hafnarfjörður and Heiðmörk, was formed in the late Ice Age when a volcano erupted under a glacier. Today Helgafell Mountain anchors Hafnarfjörður, one of the neighboring towns of Reykjavík, Iceland. Rising low in the distance beyond the town, this dense sandstone and lava mound is often referred to as the town’s mountain.
With an accessible and easy trail, walking on Helgafell is popular for all levels of hikers, including young children. An ascent begins at the Kaldársel sheep corral, not far from the small Kaldárbotnar Reservoir. Despite standing only 338 m (1300 feet) high, the panoramic view from the summit is picture-perfect with views of Reykjavík, Faxaflóinn-North Atlantic, the Reykjanes peninsula, and of course, Hafnarfjörður. To avoid the excessively steep and rocky face, it is recommended that you take the same route down the mountain. The round-trip can be completed in approximately 1½- 2 hours time. The mountain has also become a popular playground for mountain bike cyclists and is sometimes used as a venue for downhill MTB bike races.