Húsafell
Húsafell: Where ancient strength meets icy wonders and the magic of the Northern Lights.

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best chance for Aurora
Húsafell
Best Time
Best chance for Aurora

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Húsafell: Where ancient strength meets icy wonders and the magic of the Northern Lights.
"A place of raw power, natural beauty, and ethereal light shows."
💪 Conquer the Húsafell Stone
Many visitors aim to lift the 186kg stone. Train beforehand if you plan to attempt the 'Fullsterkur' feat!
🧥 Pack for All Weather
Iceland's weather changes rapidly. Layers, waterproofs, and sturdy boots are essential for exploring.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Húsafell Stone
Húsafell
Test your strength with this legendary 186kg (410lb) lifting stone, a historic feat for strongmen worldwide.

Glacier Adventures
Near Húsafell
Explore the icy wonders of nearby glaciers, a truly unforgettable experience that may change over time.

Northern Lights Viewing
Húsafell
Witness the magical dance of the Aurora Borealis in this remote location, far from city light pollution.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Elements
Book Ahead for Unique Stays
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
💪 Conquer the Húsafell Stone
Many visitors aim to lift the 186kg stone. Train beforehand if you plan to attempt the 'Fullsterkur' feat!
🧥 Pack for All Weather
Iceland's weather changes rapidly. Layers, waterproofs, and sturdy boots are essential for exploring.
🚗 Check Road Conditions
Road closures can occur, especially in winter. Always check local conditions before driving.
🌌 Chase the Aurora
Visit in winter for the best chance to see the Northern Lights. Patience and clear skies are key!
Tips
from all over the internet
💪 Conquer the Húsafell Stone
Many visitors aim to lift the 186kg stone. Train beforehand if you plan to attempt the 'Fullsterkur' feat!
🧥 Pack for All Weather
Iceland's weather changes rapidly. Layers, waterproofs, and sturdy boots are essential for exploring.
🚗 Check Road Conditions
Road closures can occur, especially in winter. Always check local conditions before driving.
🌌 Chase the Aurora
Visit in winter for the best chance to see the Northern Lights. Patience and clear skies are key!
📸 Capture the Scenery
Húsafell offers stunning natural beauty. Bring your camera to capture glaciers and unique landscapes.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Húsafell's unique blend of natural wonders and historical strength challenges. The opportunity to witness the Northern Lights and explore glaciers is a major draw, though some note the environmental impact of melting glaciers. The Húsafell Stone offers an iconic, albeit challenging, experience for many.
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most common way to reach Húsafell is by car, approximately a 1.5 to 2-hour drive from Reykjavik. You can rent a car at Keflavik Airport or in Reykjavik. The drive is scenic, passing through diverse Icelandic landscapes. Alternatively, some tour operators offer day trips or multi-day tours that include Húsafell.
Public bus services to Húsafell are limited, especially outside of the summer months. It's advisable to check the Strætó (Icelandic public transport) website for the most current routes and schedules. Renting a car offers the most flexibility for exploring the area.
Road conditions can vary significantly depending on the season. In winter, roads can be icy or snow-covered, and closures are possible. Always check road.is for real-time updates before you travel. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for winter travel.
Húsafell is generally accessible in winter, but road conditions must be monitored closely. Hotels like Hotel Húsafell remain open year-round. Visitors should be prepared for potential weather-related delays or diversions.
During the summer months, a regular car is usually sufficient for driving to Húsafell. However, for winter travel or if you plan to explore F-roads (mountain roads, not recommended for regular cars), a 4x4 vehicle is strongly advised.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Húsafell itself is a region, and there are no general admission tickets required to visit. However, specific attractions or activities within the area, such as guided glacier tours or hot springs, may have their own entry fees or booking requirements.
There is no direct cost to attempt lifting the Húsafell Stone. It's a historical site open to visitors. However, some strongman training facilities or guides might offer sessions that include access to the stone or training for it.
Opening hours for specific attractions like the Húsafell Baths or guided tours vary. It's best to check the official websites of individual businesses or tour operators for the most up-to-date information.
Yes, booking tours for activities like glacier hiking, ice caving, or Northern Lights excursions in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak season, to secure your spot.
Many of Húsafell's natural wonders, like the surrounding landscapes and the Húsafell Stone itself, can be enjoyed for free. Hiking and exploring the area are also great free activities.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Húsafell offers a range of activities including glacier hiking, ice caving, visiting waterfalls, exploring lava caves, and attempting to lift the historic Húsafell Stone. It's also a prime spot for Northern Lights viewing in winter.
Yes, Húsafell and its surroundings offer beautiful hiking opportunities through lava fields and along rivers. Trails vary in difficulty, catering to different fitness levels.
The Húsafell Stone is a 186kg (410lb) lifting stone used historically to test strength. The challenge is to lift it off the ground and, for the ultimate feat, carry it a full circle around its pen.
Húsafell is an excellent location for viewing the Northern Lights due to its remote setting and minimal light pollution. The best viewing months are typically from September to April.
Yes, the Húsafell area has geothermal pools, including the Húsafell Baths, offering a relaxing experience amidst nature.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Dining options in Húsafell are primarily centered around accommodations like Hotel Húsafell, which offers restaurant services. There are also a few local eateries and cafes in the wider Húsafell area.
Most restaurants in Iceland are increasingly accommodating to dietary needs. It's advisable to check with specific establishments in Húsafell about their vegetarian and vegan options when booking or upon arrival.
There are limited grocery shopping facilities directly in Húsafell. It's recommended to stock up on snacks and essentials in larger towns like Borgarnes before heading to Húsafell, especially if you plan on self-catering.
Dining in Iceland can be expensive. Expect to pay around 30-50 USD for a main course at a restaurant in Húsafell. Hotel restaurants may be on the higher end of this range.
Yes, bringing your own food is a great way to save money, especially if you have access to cooking facilities at your accommodation. Many visitors opt to pack lunches and snacks for day trips.
📸 📸 Photography
Húsafell offers stunning photographic opportunities, including glaciers, waterfalls, lava fields, and the unique Húsafell Stone. The Northern Lights provide a magical subject in winter.
A wide-angle lens is great for landscapes, while a telephoto lens can be useful for wildlife or distant glacier details. A sturdy tripod is essential for Northern Lights photography.
Absolutely! Photographing individuals attempting to lift the Húsafell Stone is a popular activity. Capture the effort and the historic setting.
The 'golden hours' around sunrise and sunset offer beautiful light for landscapes. For glaciers, midday can be good for capturing the ice's texture, while evenings are prime for the Aurora.
While specific photography tours might be limited, many general photography tours of Iceland include stops in areas like Húsafell. You can also hire local guides who can take you to the best spots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting the Húsafell Baths for a relaxing family soak. While direct public transport might be limited, renting a car offers the most flexibility for family exploration. Pack plenty of snacks and layers of clothing, as Icelandic weather can be unpredictable. Many accommodations, like Hotel Húsafell, are family-friendly and can provide insights into local activities suitable for younger visitors.
💪 Strongman Enthusiasts
Aspiring lifters can train for the 'Fullsterkur' challenge – carrying the stone a full circle. Social media is filled with videos of strongmen conquering this feat, serving as both inspiration and a benchmark. While there's no official 'ticket' to lift the stone, be prepared for the physical challenge and the historical significance of this iconic strongman artifact.
🌌 Aurora Chasers
Staying at accommodations that offer aurora wake-up calls can be a game-changer, ensuring you don't miss a sighting. Be prepared for cold nights and check aurora forecasts regularly. The visual spectacle of the Aurora Borealis over Iceland's unique landscapes is an experience that many travelers describe as life-changing.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Legendary Húsafell Stone
In modern times, the stone gained international fame through the World's Strongest Man competitions, which often featured it as a challenge. Lifting the Húsafell Stone requires not just brute force but also technique and grip strength. Many visitors, from seasoned strongmen to curious travelers, aim to lift it off the ground, with the ultimate goal being to carry it a full circle around its designated pen – a feat known as 'Fullsterkur'.
Social media is filled with videos of individuals attempting this challenge, showcasing both triumphs and the sheer difficulty of the task. It's a unique opportunity to connect with Iceland's strongman heritage and test your own physical limits in a truly iconic location.
Glacier Exploration and Environmental Significance
However, there's a poignant aspect to these icy giants. As highlighted by some visitors, these glaciers are melting at an alarming rate due to climate change. One TikTok video poignantly notes that 'This place will be gone in 100 years,' emphasizing the urgency and fragility of these natural formations. This underscores the importance of responsible tourism and appreciating these environments while they still exist in their current form.
Experiencing the glaciers near Húsafell is not just an adventure; it's also a powerful reminder of our planet's changing climate. Visitors are encouraged to be mindful of their environmental impact and to support sustainable tourism practices when exploring these magnificent, yet vulnerable, natural wonders.
Chasing the Aurora Borealis
To maximize your chances, it's essential to have clear skies and solar activity. Many visitors stay at accommodations like Hotel Húsafell, which often offer aurora wake-up calls if the lights appear. Patience is key, as the Aurora can be elusive. Checking aurora forecasts and being prepared to venture out into the cold are part of the experience.
Social media is awash with breathtaking images and videos of the Aurora dancing above Húsafell, a testament to its prime viewing status. Capturing the lights requires a good camera, a tripod, and knowledge of long-exposure photography settings. Even without a camera, the sheer spectacle of the Aurora Borealis is an unforgettable sight.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit