Hike · North Iceland
Mælifellshnjúkur
Before you go
Stay on marked paths, leave no trace and close gates behind you. Driving off-road is illegal in Iceland.
Areas can be closed at short notice to protect them. Check the official page before travelling.
Warm up after: pools & lagoons with a visitor pass
Passes from ISK 7,900. Lagoons cost extra per visit.
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The best sights in each region, and where to soak afterwards.
Quick facts
- Mælifellshnjúkur is 308 km from Reykjavík by road, about 4 h 37 min by car.
- The Mælifellshnjúkur route is 7.3 km there and back (3.6 km one way) and takes about 4 h 35 min to walk.
- The nearest town to Mælifellshnjúkur is Sauðárkrókur.
- Mælifellshnjúkur is a hike in North Iceland.
The facts
| Distance | 3.6 km one way |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 682 m |
| Walking time | 4 h 35 min there and back |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Nearest town | Sauðárkrókur |
| From Reykjavík | 308 km by road, about 4 h 37 min |
| Region | North Iceland |
| Coordinates | 65.3832° N, 19.4002° W |
Getting there
Directions go to the sight's mapped point. For a mountain, glacier or lake that can be well away from the road, so park only in marked areas and walk from there.
Questions people ask
What is Mælifellshnjúkur?
Mælifellshnjúkur is a hike in North Iceland.
Where is Mælifellshnjúkur?
Mælifellshnjúkur is at 65.3832° N, 19.4002° W, in North Iceland. The nearest town is Sauðárkrókur. The nearest other sight on our map is Drangagil, a canyon about 7 km away in a straight line.
How far is Mælifellshnjúkur from Reykjavík?
Mælifellshnjúkur is 308 km from Reykjavík by road, about 4 h 37 min by car.
How do I get to Mælifellshnjúkur?
The Google Maps and Apple Maps directions on this page go to the mapped point of Mælifellshnjúkur, not to a search for its name. The nearest town is Sauðárkrókur.
How long does the Mælifellshnjúkur hike take?
The Mælifellshnjúkur route is 7.3 km there and back (3.6 km one way) and takes about 4 h 35 min to walk. It is rated moderate. The climb is 682 m. Walking times are estimates from the route's distance and climb, not a guarantee.
Does it cost anything to visit Mælifellshnjúkur?
We have not verified a fee for Mælifellshnjúkur. Some landowners charge for parking or entry, so check the signs on arrival. Iceland's right of public access comes with duties: stay on marked paths and leave no trace.
Where can you swim near Mælifellshnjúkur?
The nearest place to get in warm water is World Class Skólastígur Akureyri & Pool, about 99 minutes' drive from Mælifellshnjúkur. It is included on any LifePass, so there is nothing to pay at the door. Also within reach: Forest Lagoon (107 min).
Soak here afterwards
On the way back
- World Class Skólastígur Akureyri & Pool99 min driveIncluded on any LifePass
- Forest Lagoon107 min driveISK 4,500 per visit with LifePass
Nearby sights
All sights →Straight-line distance, not driving distance.
Sources
Place data from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata. We have no licence-clean photograph of this place yet, so the image is a location map drawn from its coordinates on a public-domain outline of Iceland.
- OpenStreetMap (ODbL-1.0)
© OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License.