Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
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Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND
My trip
Talk to a local
Húsafell is a highland resort area in West Iceland, on the edge of the Borgarfjörður highlands, about 130 km (around 1.5–2 hours) from Reykjavík. It is open all year, free to visit as an area, and a good base for a half day up to several days depending on what you want to do.
Húsafell sits where the lowlands of Borgarfjörður give way to the highlands, close to Iceland's second-largest ice cap, Langjökull, and to some of the country's largest lava caves. It has long been a summer retreat for Icelanders, with a church, a golf course, a campsite and forested walking trails, and in recent years it has grown into a year-round destination with its own geothermal bathing facility.
The Canyon Baths (Giljaböð in Icelandic) are two geothermal pools built into a narrow highland canyon. You can only visit on a guided tour, which starts at the Húsafell Activity Centre with a short drive and an easy walk before you reach the warm water. It is a newer, less crowded alternative to bigger geothermal attractions closer to Reykjavík.
The area is also a practical base for reaching Langjökull for snowmobiling or ice cave tours, and for visiting Víðgelmir, one of Iceland's largest lava tubes, a short drive away.
Húsafell is often called the woodland oasis of West Iceland. The old farm lies in a valley between a wide lava field and the river Kaldá, surrounded by birch woods that turn bright colours in autumn. It is one of the oldest settlements in the district and unusually far from the sea for Iceland, which gives it a sheltered, inland feel. Trout lakes and rivers lie all around.
On site you will find a campground, a restaurant, a shop, a big playground for children and a geothermal swimming pool. A soak in the pool's hot tubs is the thing we recommend most: on a clear day you look out over the farm to the mountains, with the white top of Langjökull in the distance. Drive a few kilometres out of Húsafell and you see the glacier properly.
Húsafell has been farmed since the early centuries of settlement, and it has drawn artists for a long time. The painter Jóhannes S. Kjarval, one of Iceland's best-loved artists, came here to paint the lava, the birch and the mountains.
The sculptor Páll Guðmundsson lives and works at Húsafell. He carves faces and figures into rocks he finds in the surrounding gullies, and you will come across his work as you walk around the farm. It is an inspiring place if you draw, paint or photograph.
Roads onto Langjökull itself are only suitable for specialist vehicles; access to the glacier for visitors is normally by guided snowmobile or super jeep tour from a base near Húsafell.
Húsafell is close to several of West Iceland's main sights, which is why many people stay here and explore from one base. Book guided activities in advance.
Marked trails start around Húsafell. The lower ones run through tall birch with almost no wind, which is rare in Iceland. Wear sturdy boots; the ground is lava, roots and gravel.
Trail lengths and times are from the regional tourist office. Ask for a trail map locally and check conditions before longer walks.
On the drive in you pass Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. At Hraunfossar the water comes out from under the lava along a stretch of about a kilometre and runs into the Hvítá in hundreds of small streams. Barnafoss, a narrow rapid, is a few minutes' walk upstream.
About 30 km back down the valley is Deildartunguhver, where you can watch boiling water pour out of the ground. It is the most powerful hot spring in Europe and supplies hot water to homes up to about 65 km away.
The glacier Ok used to sit on the mountain west of Langjökull. It has melted away, and the Canyon Baths tour looks across to where it was.
Húsafell has a hotel, campsite, restaurant, small shop, geothermal swimming pool, a large playground and a golf course. Fuel is available in Reykholt and Borgarnes rather than at Húsafell itself.
Húsafell has its own hotel and a large campsite, and there are many guesthouses and cabins for rent in the area. Nearby Reykholt and Borgarnes offer further guesthouses and hotels if you prefer to stay closer to the Ring Road.
About 130 km, around 1 hour 45 minutes by car. From Borgarnes it is about 65 km.
The area itself is free; the Canyon Baths and guided activities like glacier tours and cave tours charge separately.
No, the glacier is normally accessed by guided snowmobile or super jeep tour rather than a regular rental car.
Glacier snowmobiling, ice cave tours, the Canyon Baths, and good conditions for Northern Lights viewing.
No, entry to Víðgelmir is only with a certified guide, for safety and to protect the cave.
No. The Canyon Baths are reached only on a guided tour from the Húsafell Activity Centre, which takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Marked trails range from the 2.5 km Kiðárbotnar loop to the 10.7 km Kaldárbotnar route, with the steeper Bæjargil trail for a harder climb.
Take Route 1 north through the Hvalfjörður tunnel, turn right onto Route 50 just before the bridge to Borgarnes, then follow Route 518 to Húsafell.
Tours and trips that include Húsafell, booked directly with a local travel agency in Iceland.
DAY TOURInto the GlacierFrom 27,900 ISK per person
TICKETHusafell Canyon BathsFrom 10,900 ISK per person
TICKETSilver Circle & Husafell Canyon BathsFrom 27,990 ISK per person
DAY TOURInto the GlacierFrom 38,990 ISK per person
DAY TOURSnowmobile Into the GlacierFrom 36,900 ISK per person
DAY TOURInto the Glacier & Northern Lights from ReykjavikFrom 46,990 ISK per person
