
Hike to Mt Esja
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 41 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hike to Mt Esja worth booking?
Hike to Mt Esja is a 4-hour experience in Reykjavik, Iceland, from $110 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 41 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (41)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $110 per person
Mt. Esja is the signature mountain of the capital area and is popular amongst its inhabitants. There are quite a few routes to choose from, our route will be from Mógilsá to Þverfellshorn. We pick you up and drive to Ko
What you get
About this experience
Mt. Esja is the signature mountain of the capital area and is popular amongst its inhabitants. There are quite a few routes to choose from, our route will be from Mógilsá to Þverfellshorn. We pick you up and drive to Kollafjörður. We will park the car and start our hike to the top which will take less than 2 hrs. The view from the top is amazing and puts the capital area in a new context. The hike is suitable both for beginners and experienced hikers We hope you will leave with the feeling of stillness and being one with nature. We look forward to walk with you!
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 41 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Physical effort
9 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
41 verified traveler reviews for Hike to Mt Esja. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Guide was good at...
Guide was good at communicating prior to the hike, and notified us at 3:00 am the morning of the hike that it was canceled due to weather. We were disappointed but appreciative of the safety concerns.
Response from the operator: Thank you for the review. We always put the safety of our customers in first place.
via Viator
Hike in Iceland
Magnus was the most amazing guide. My 84 year old husband and my cousin went to mountain peaks ! They saw such beautiful things and Magnus was watching over and leading them, also an incredible help. He explained the nature ans answers so many questions on the hike too. He is the best guide! We will hike with him again! Just the most amazing experience on our whole trip. Pam, Horst and Matt
Response from the operator: Thank you for the review :)
via Viator
100% Recommend
Magnus was an excellent guide. It felt more like hiking with a buddy than a guide. I would 100% recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you for the review :) Hope you come back to Iceland at some point.
via Viator
Great hike with a good guide
The weather was terrible on the day of our hike on 3 Nov 2024, with heavy rain and super strong wind, but our guide Magnus and his dog Lisa were great! Lisa especially was really sensitive and would come walk next to me when I was slower. Reaching the summit was such an exhilarating experience. Great hike and highly recommended.
Response from the operator: Thank you for the review :)
via Viator
A rugged and also a rewarding mountain hike
Great guide who also was extremely knowlegable about history and shared a lot with us. It is a rugged hike going up 1900 feet with about 4 miles total up and down. The views are great and you should be a good hiker in good condition.. It is a short distance out of Reykjavik so a good use of your time and worth the price for the two of us. We would be happy to do this again,
Response from the operator: Thank you for the review :) Hope you have good time on the crusie
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Booked in 30 days
- 14
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hike to Mt Esja: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Reykjavik.
How much does Hike to Mt Esja cost?
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Prices start at $110 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Reykjavik usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Hike to Mt Esja take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Reykjavik is not rushed.
Is Hike to Mt Esja worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 41 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Reykjavik, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Hike to Mt Esja?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Hike to Mt Esja suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Hike to Mt Esja?
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Around 14 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Reykjavik can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Reykjavik and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Hike to Mt Esja start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Reykjavik within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Reykjavik?
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On Outty we rank every Reykjavik experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland, Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater, Reykjavík Small group Walking Tour - by CityWalk. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Reykjavik?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Reykjavik?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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