Hike · North Iceland
Skólavarðan
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
- Skólavarðan is 389 km from Reykjavík by road, about 5 h 46 min by car.
- The Skólavarðan route is 5 km there and back (2.5 km one way) and takes about 3 h 15 min to walk.
- The nearest town to Skólavarðan is Akureyri.
- Skólavarðan is a hike in North Iceland.
The facts
| Distance | 2.5 km one way |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 501 m |
| Walking time | 3 h 15 min there and back |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Nearest town | Akureyri |
| From Reykjavík | 389 km by road, about 5 h 46 min |
| Region | North Iceland |
| Coordinates | 65.6823° N, 18.0324° 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 Skólavarðan?
Skólavarðan is a hike in North Iceland.
Where is Skólavarðan?
Skólavarðan is at 65.6823° N, 18.0324° W, in North Iceland. The nearest town is Akureyri. The nearest other sight on our map is Oddeyri, a beach about 2 km away in a straight line.
How far is Skólavarðan from Reykjavík?
Skólavarðan is 389 km from Reykjavík by road, about 5 h 46 min by car.
How do I get to Skólavarðan?
The Google Maps and Apple Maps directions on this page go to the mapped point of Skólavarðan, not to a search for its name. The nearest town is Akureyri.
How long does the Skólavarðan hike take?
The Skólavarðan route is 5 km there and back (2.5 km one way) and takes about 3 h 15 min to walk. It is rated moderate. The climb is 501 m. Walking times are estimates from the route's distance and climb, not a guarantee.
Does it cost anything to visit Skólavarðan?
We have not verified a fee for Skólavarðan. 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 Skólavarðan?
The nearest place to get in warm water is Forest Lagoon, about 9 minutes' drive from Skólavarðan. It is a premium venue, from ISK 4,500 per visit on a LifePass. Also within reach: World Class Skólastígur Akureyri & Pool (18 min).
Soak here afterwards
- Forest Lagoon9 min driveISK 4,500 per visit with LifePass
- World Class Skólastígur Akureyri & Pool18 min driveIncluded on any 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.