Laufáshnjúkur

The Laufáshnjúkur hike is a short, steep climb above the historic turf farm of Laufás on the east side of Eyjafjörður in North Iceland. The out-and-back route is about 6 km round trip with roughly 750 m of total ascent, reaching a high point near 610 m, and takes 2.5–3.5 hours. From the top there are views over Eyjafjörður, Akureyri and the mountains beyond.

Laufáshnjúkur climbs steeply from near sea level, so although the route is short, it is a real workout. It is rated moderate, but the gradient is relentless in places. The Laufás turf farm, one of the best preserved in Iceland and now a museum, is right at the foot of the mountain, and makes a good stop before or after the hike.

Highlights

• Views over Eyjafjörður and Akureyri
• The historic Laufás turf farm at the foot of the mountain
• A short but rewarding climb
• Quiet trail with few visitors

The route

Getting to the trailhead

Laufás is on Route 83, on the east side of Eyjafjörður, about 30 minutes' drive from Akureyri. Take Route 1 east from Akureyri, then turn north onto Route 83 toward Grenivík. There is parking near the turf farm museum, close to the start of the path. A car is the practical way to get there. Check road.is before driving.

Where to stay

Akureyri, about 30 minutes away, has a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, hostels and restaurants and is the obvious base. Grenivík, a little further north on Route 83, has a campsite and a swimming pool and is a quieter option.

Best time to hike

June to September is the season. July and August are warmest and most reliable, and long evenings make an after-dinner hike possible. Early June may still have snow on the upper slopes. September is quiet, with autumn colours on the hillsides, but days shorten quickly.

Safety

The main risk is the steep, sometimes slippery slope, especially on the descent when legs are tired. Wear boots with good grip and consider trekking poles. Weather on top can be colder and windier than at the farm, and fog can hide the route. Check vedur.is and SafeTravel.is before going, and call 112 in an emergency.