Esja

Location: Esja Mountain

















One of the closest mountain's visible from Reykjavik is called Esja (pronounced Es-ya). Because of its proximity (about 30 minute drive from town), it's quite common for the locals to hike it after work. I kept hearing how nice it was so I recently tagged along when the weather was clear.

By Icelandic standards this is a very easy hike. Apparently there is a race held every year and the record time is 37 minutes. I'm unsure if this includes the return as well, but either way I'm damned impressed now having done it.

Here's a picture of Esja from the base. You can tell how well-traveled this is because the paths are really nice. Apparently the naming rights of the trail has been purchased by Toyota; it's actually called the "Toyota XXXX" trail. I found this strange until a local pointed out it is no weirder than our sports stadiums having company sponsors. I guess I see their point.
Here's a shot of some of the landscape along the way.
Of course we got "lost" at one point. I consider this a technicality because we were clearly heading towards the top, but we certainly had veered off trail. Here's what I mean.
And the end of the hike was really difficult. I'd say it resembled something closer to mountain climbing, but fortunately they had installed posts with chains to help pull ourselves up. I kept thinking to myself "37 minutes!?!"

Finally we made it, and the summit view was worth it the effort.
This one is taken facing inland. Note this is overlooking an area adjacent to the capital which houses 2/3 of the nation's population, and it still mostly looks untouched.
And my personal favorite...
That city on the left nestled right up against the ocean is Reykjavik. I don't know the price, but I think Toyota got their money's worth.

(Author's Comment): At our brisk pace, which included very few breaks and attributing our slow pace to having not stretched, it took us about an hour and forty minutes up and an hour down, which unfortunately did not qualify us for any of the local records. Maybe next year.

More pictures of the Esja excursion can be found here.