Súlur above Akureyri

The Súlur hike is the classic mountain climb above Akureyri, the largest town in North Iceland. Súlur's twin peaks dominate the skyline west of town, and on a clear day the views from the top take in all of Eyjafjörður, the town below and the mountains of Tröllaskagi. The out-and-back route is about 11 km round trip with roughly 900 m of ascent, reaching a high point of about 1,144 m on Ytri-Súla, and takes 3.5–5 hours.

The path is well trodden and marked, starting in grassy lowland and climbing through heath and scree to the upper ridge. It is rated challenging because of the sustained climb and the loose, steep ground near the top, but there is no scrambling on the standard route. It is a favourite with locals, so you will rarely be alone on a summer evening. Snow can linger high on the mountain well into summer, so check conditions before you set off.

Highlights

• Panoramic views over Akureyri and Eyjafjörður
• Mountain views across the Tröllaskagi peninsula
• A real mountain summit within minutes of town
• Long summer evenings for late hikes under the midnight sun

The route

Getting to the trailhead

The Súlur trailhead is on the western edge of Akureyri, reached by a short drive up from town. There is a signed car park at the start of the path. Akureyri is on Route 1 and has domestic flights from Reykjavík and long-distance buses, so you can do this hike without a car by taking a taxi to the trailhead.

Where to stay

Akureyri has everything: hotels, guesthouses, hostels, a large campsite, restaurants and an excellent swimming pool for after the hike. Staying in town means you can pick the best weather window and go up at short notice.

Best time to hike

July to September is the main season, when the upper slopes are usually clear of deep snow. In June the top often still has significant snow. August is typically the most reliable month. Late evening hikes in July, under near-endless daylight, are popular with locals.

Safety

Súlur is a proper mountain. Weather on top can be much colder and windier than in town, and fog can roll in quickly. Snow patches on the upper slopes may be icy and hard; turn back rather than cross steep snow without proper gear. Loose scree makes the descent slippery. Bring warm layers and water, check vedur.is and SafeTravel.is, and call 112 in an emergency.