A must-see in the Golden Circle area in Iceland.
By Graatje Weber - Editor Beyond Travels
In this blog we will introduce you to an alternative hiking destination in Iceland. Surprise, surprise! You can also check out our Þríhyrningur Youtube video. This place is located amidst famous sites, close to the busy ring road. Well-known sites like Seljalandsfoss, two glaciers, Hekla Volcano and even the Westman Islands are all visible from one viewpoint. Our friend Aava Kelhä from Finland joined us for this hike. Let me tell you about our adventure to Þríhyrningur!
It's location
Þríhyrningur (pronounced thri-hir-ning-ur), translated to 'three peaks', is a striking mountain situated between the town of Hvolsvöllur and the Þórsmörk valley, a realm within the area of Myrdalsjökull glacier. You can find it's exact location in our Iceland travel map. In a country renowned for it's natural attractions, this place stands out as a unique experience in Iceland. Providing a less-trodden trail, this mountain is a haven for hikers looking to experience the wild beauty of Icelandic wilderness, even in one of the busiest regions of the country.
Hiking the Three Peaks Mountain
The mountain presents a must-see adventure on the Golden Circle. The trail to the summit is quite steep and gains 645m in altitude. For those seeking the best hikes in Iceland, this is a top contender. In our opinion the hike should be considered moderate to challenging in terms of difficulty. With some steep ascents, it's suitable for hikers with some experience and a good level of physical fitness. The hike typically takes about three hours to complete.
In the beginning of the hike we walked a path well marked, but after the first half the trail marks got a bit messy. We lost the trail a couple of times, but found it back again shortly after. There is no need to worry about losing the trail at Þríhyrningur. There are no trees in this are. You can see far and wide, meaning it would almost become impossible to get truly lost. Please, do pay attention to unstable terrain or loose rocks when you find yourself off trail. This might pose the biggest danger.
A 360º Panoramic View
Once you reach the summit, you'll be rewarded with a stunning 360º panoramic view. A unique experience why we think this is one of the best hikes on the Golden Circle in Iceland. On clear days, you can see far and wide across the Icelandic wilderness, making it a must-see attraction. Let us sum up the visible sites from Þríhyrningur summit:
• Eyjafjallajökull: You'll have a clear view of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which gained international attention due to its 2010 eruption that disrupted air travel across Europe. The Þríhyrningur vantage point gave us clear view over this volcanic wonder.
• Glaciers: The surrounding landscape is dominated by glaciers, including the Myrdalsjökull glacier, which lies on top of the infamous Katla volcano. The ice caps create a great contrast against the green valleys below.
• Þórsmörk: In eastern direction we looked down on the Þórsmörk valley, with glacier-fed rivers meandering through it. The view of the valley from the summit is a photogenic opportunity!
• Westman Islands: When we looked in southern direction we had a clear view of the Westman Islands in the far distance. A spectacular set of rocky islands rising from the ocean.
• Seljalandsfoss: This must-see in Iceland is a waterfall immensely popular among tourists. It's large, it's beautiful and you can walk behind it. Looking at Seljalandsfoss often means you'll be surrounded by a crowd of people. Not at Þríhyrningur summit. Although the waterfall was only a small white line from this distance, you'll get an idea of it's massive size in the landscape.
Legend and Folklore
There are some interesting stories about a cave located on the north side of Þríhyrningur mountain. In the famous Njál’s Saga the cave is extremely difficult to find and enter, but hides a secret. It was in this cave where Flosi hid a treasure chest used as payment in an event of getting caught by enemies. Flosi and his men never ended up in the hands of the enemy, so the chest still remains in the cave. Some brave men decided to risk their lives and dared to take on the adventure to climb to the cave. One fortune seeker managed to find the cave but only found dry leaves when opening the treasure chest. Disappointed he filled his pockets with some of the leaves to show his companions about his findings.
Getting There
If you're wondering what to do in Iceland and how to get to Þríhyrningur, a 4WD vehicle is essential. There are no tours or public transport going to the trailhead. A private guide might be an alternative option to get there in case renting a car is not possible. There are two options to get to the trailhead. We highly recommend a 4WD for both roads. The exact location can be found in our Iceland travel map.
Route A: This is the easy one which takes directly to the trailhead from the main road. Follow road nr. 261 from the town of Hvolsvöllur. After about 8km you turn left from the main road. You’ll enter a paved road going into the country side. The mountain will be in your view right in front of you. Follow this road for another 6km and you have reached the parking, and the trailhead, for your hike to Þríhyrningur.
Route B: We took an alternative route to the trailhead. About 1,5km east of Hella town we took road nr 264 in north-eastern direction. Follow this road until you reach an intersection where you can turn left to road nr. F210. Icelandic roads starting with ‘F’ means you are entering a mountain road. Large 4WD vehicles are a must for driving these roads. Follow this road until you reach the foot of the mountain, then turn right to continue driving this road. Do not follow the signs to the old ruins. Right before we reached the trailhead we had to cross a river. When we visited Þríhyrningur, this river was frozen. We crossed the icy stream by foot and started our hike. When the river is running, be careful to cross. This is a river crossing for experienced drivers.
Weather & Safety
Icelandic weather can be highly unpredictable. Monitor the weather conditions before and during the hike. Be prepared for rain, wind and temperature changes. Our hike was filled with sunshine, but temperature changed a lot. The summit had extreme wind conditions. Ensure you have suitable clothing, including waterproof gear, warm layers and sturdy hiking boots. To keep an eye on the Icelandic weather forecast, use this website.
We recommend, as usual, to not attempt this adventure by yourself. Venture into the wilderness in a small group. You never know what might happen. Phone connection was little to zero in this place. Last but not least: respect nature. Leave no garbage, plastic or other human traces in the wilderness. Enjoy your hike!
Go Beyond Travels
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