Hike To Mt Esja

We had a most amazing hike with Magnus; he adapted our hike after experiencing falling rocks the previous day on the the planned trail. We were not disappointed, the hike he led for us was perfect for our skill level. The conversations we had and Magnus's knowledge of Iceland and the world was most interesting! The time flew by. His dog, Lisa, was a wonderful companion throughout the day. What better way to experience Iceland's magical terrain and hospitality.

Martin provided the perfect hike for us. He was attentive to our varied skill levels and adjusted the pace to include us both, while creating a challenge as desired. He is knowledgeable and interesting to talk with about any Iceland related topics as well as how Iceland fits into the world. The break with delicious snacks and coffee was appropriately timed. The amazing photo ops will help us carry the memories of a fantastic day of hiking the mountains in Iceland!

Iam a New Yorker and hiking is not first, second or third nature for me. HOWEVER, this tour was exactly what I needed! I was lucky enough to end up on a privately guided hike with Company owner Magnus and his magical pup Lisa (dog people are in for a treat). The plan was Mt Esja but mother nature had other plans, as a mudslide had happened. Instead of canceling or risking it, he offered a safer option. So (as one does when offered to go into the wilderness with an unfamiliar person and no one knowing where you are) I said sure! There was a dog after all. All jokes aside, the regard for client safety while considering hiking ability was greatly appreciated. We ended up at Selfjall. Throughout the Hike Magnus shared his wealth of knowledge about the nature and history of the area including its military history as we walked through former army structures also eating wild blueberries along the way. He made sure we took water/coffee breaks and maintained a comfortable pace. At the peak we had spectacular views of Reykjavík and surrounding mountains. Once Lisa, who was NOT ready to go, was wrangled. I was returned to Reykjavik sore but safe and a little wiser. Thank you again Walk on Iceland and Magnus for a unique and fantastic day!

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.

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

Magnus was an excellent guide. It felt more like hiking with a buddy than a guide. I would 100% recommend.

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.

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,

It was a great hike to the Steinn of Mt Esja with Magnus! There was good communication leading up to and the pick up was from the hotel. Even though I stopped 10 times during the ascent he was patient, and his lab Lisa is so sweet and energetic. Overall took us a little bit over 2 hours to hike. You get to taste some fresh mountain water and wild berries too on the way up. Would recommend as a female solo traveller!

I had the finest experience hiking on Esja with Magnus. Esja is a beautiful and friendly mountain. In this time of the year (June) the blue and white flowers are covering the landscape and make a fantastic contrast to the higher naked brown cliffs. Magnus was a super nice guide. He was relaxed and friendly, and what he knew about Island was told as short stories and easy understandable information. We had a good chat, and I enjoyed every minute. Magnus speaks rather good danish, and since we were only him and me, I felt happy to speak in my own language. I will gladly recommend this to everyone who likes walking in the nature

Wonderful experience! If you're into hiking and mountain climbing, you won't want to miss this experience. Mangus was an awesome guide. Bring your own crampons if you aren't comfortable walking on ice or you don't have the best hiking boots

Myself and my family completed the walk up mount esja with Magnus and what an amazing time we had!! He was clear about the route we would be following from the start of the walk and set a good walking pace for us. He did not make us feel rushed and we were able to take breaks as and when we needed and we did not feel any pressure to walk at a pace that did not suit us. Magnus was a great guide! He clearly knew the route very well, making us feel safe at all times. He had a lot of knowledge about the mountain and the nature, and we also enjoyed just chatting to him about life in Iceland. He also brought along his dog Lisa who we absolutely loved! She was a very sweet dog!!! Magnus was well prepared for the walk bringing a long water and coffee for us and also some icelandic chocolate (which Lisa loved too!!!!). It is a challenging walk, so be prepared with appropriate shoes (we all had walking boots so not a problem for us). Magnus also gave us Crampons to use at the top where it is was particularly snowy so we could easily walk safely along on the mountain. We had a great time doing the walk and getting to know Magnus and it was a real highlight of our trip!

First, I live in a very flat area. I prepared by wearing weights on my back while I walked around my neighborhood and by doing hill rides on my Peloton. Ma'am, Sir, I was not ready! LOL This hike was straight up hill. Note, locals were walking and running past me like they were walking on flat ground. LOL I say all this to say that the guide was beyond patient with me and led me up Mt. Esja with care. It's a beautiful hike. I really enjoyed it. I would highly recommend this hike especially for a solo traveler. The guide was a gentleman, on time, and communicated effectively before and during the hike.

Magnus was a terrific guide... punctual dropoff/pickup and a pleasure to chat with during our hike. He provided extra hiking equipment (and snacks!) and did a great job selecting the best routes up Mt. Esja. His lovely labrador, Lisa, even joined our hike! Overall a fantastic experience I would totally repeat on my next visit to Iceland!

The hike was amazing and my tour guide Magnus was great! Definitely something I would recommend doing. The only issue is that I booked a tour for mt. Elsa and ended up going to mt. Helgafell which is a shorter trip and less expensive, also it’s better to book through their site as on trip advisor it’s double the amount! I lost out on a lot of money over $100 booking through trip advisor and doing another mountain. So definitely go on the hike but book through their site and call them to confirm what mountain you’re going on

HI Magnus was a fantastic guide with a wealth of knowledge about the landscape and the history of the area. Me and my dad had a wonderful time and will be definitely be booking his services on our return to Iceland. Yours sincerely Alex

What a New Years Day adventure! Magnus and his lovely little lab Lisa were wonderful guides in some extreme January Iceland weather. Totally delightful hike with phenomenal views, even in the snow, sleet and wind. Clearly a favorite local hike, we were surrounded by Icelanders setting off the New Year right. We are a 48 year old woman from the US, and a 27 year old woman from Afghanistan (my "honorary daughter"). Magnus was so helpful and really encouraged us to take the hike at our own pace, carved out the easiest path based on our ability, and perfectly read our fitness level and preparation for the weather, knowing exactly the right amount of challenge and when to head back in the cold weather. Doggie Lisa also showed great concern for any and all that seemed to be stressed, including barking to alert us to her concern another hike who was resting by the side of the trail! Also, he provided vegan chocolate for me (very vegan friendly- his mom and sister eat this way!). He gave us all manner of advice on great hikes around Iceland, as well as wide ranging topics from Icelandic politics to the immigration system. A wonderful start to the New Year- highly recommend, would definitely book again. Left feelignlike we have a new local friend in Iceland- completely different vibe from the "small group" trips we are on the rest of our week.

I had a lovely experience on this tour, really glad I picked it out of the many options that were available. Magnus was very knowledgeable and attentive to us during the whole time. Being a small group made it more enjoyable. You must try this out!

This was a great hike up Mt Esja with our guide Magnuss and his dog Lysa. It was tough but being a private tour, we were easily able to go at our own pace with no pressure. He also brought us water, coffee and gingerbread. The view from the top was well worth it.

Had a great trip with the guide magnus, highly suggest going on this hike if you love a good hike and view. I went to Iceland as a solo traveller so was very nice to have someone familiar transport me to the location as well as walk and guide me along the path.

What an amazing day! As noted by many, it was a challenging path. I live in a very flat area of the U.S.A. The highest elevation I've ever hiked is around 450 ft. or 137m. Magus was patient and kind. I needed to stop a few times to catch my breath, and he never rushed me. He went at my pace and made sure I was ok. I made it to 600m, and it was awesome. This was a challenging hike, but it felt so good. I highly recommend this tour.

This was a great hike to do with a guide! Magnus was very enjoyable and adjusted to a comfortable pace. Great for beginner or expert hikers!

It’s a challenging path but the guide know the road and he takes care of you. The view is very spectacular.

Magnus was an absolute joy to hike with and a very kind guide who brought snacks, coffee and was generally just lovely company! As a solo female traveler, I felt completely safe :) also, I’m a casual hiker and he let me set the pace and decide how far we went. The views were gorgeous. It’s a great day to spend a morning or afternoon in Rekjavik.

It's a very manageable hike, though a little tricky at the top. Magnus is a great guide and took very good care of us. We learned so much about Iceland on the trip! I would definitely receive men's this hike!

The view from the peak is breathtaking and rewarding. The hike is full of quiet beauty. We were pleasantly surprised by the amount of locals out with their dogs.

Convenient Transportation from your front door, head up to the mountains in a cool monster truck style Toyota. We drank directly from the clear running streams, experience Iceland from the peak of Mount Esja, I recommend it.

A great adventure! This was a last minute trip that was a lot of fun for my daughter and I. The guide was great and we were able to go at our own pace. I would recommend for anyone.

Our tour guide Helgir was very personable Nd knowledgeable. He taught us a lot about the terrain, the country and its people. I would definitely recommend this tour company.

What a fantastic hike today with Magnus of Walk on Iceland. A true gent with such professionalism and a tremendous knowledge of the mountain hikes on offer in Iceland. I have the hiking bug and when visiting Iceland was busting to hike the Esja range - Really went the extra mile to help me out and make sure I got the best hiking experience possible - thanks Magnus Jim

Amazing hike to Mount Esja with Magnus. We took the more challenging route up Esja, it was such an adrenaline rush! Stunning views along the way. Magnus was a pro - there were some steep and tricky parts of the hike which he guided me through. It was a great work out. We had a snack and coffee break at the top, admired the views then made our way down. Fantastic experience, would recommend to all!

This was an amazing hike that I would highly recommend! Magnus was an awesome guide, and he gave a choice between more or less challenging trails. We did the more challenging one, and I would highly suggest having appropriate hiking boots with good treads because there is a lot of screed and some rock scrambling involved. The views were incredible, and Magnus was an excellent guide who had been hiking Mt. Esja since age 9, so he knew exactly the safest paths to take. Magnus was super friendly and shared a lot about his country, too. Be sure to ask about the story of Mt. Esja and the Christmas Cat :)

Magnus was so amazing for our hike! His pick up and drop off was quick and painless, and his overall knowledge and passion for the culture, history, and outdoors in Iceland made the trip wonderful and knowledge packed. Not to mention, his snacks were Icelandic candy, coffee, and a finisher shot at the end of an Iceland liquor! This hike was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. Highly recommend!

Magnus was friendly and the views of Mt Esja beautiful! Thanks for a great experience! Had a few steep areas but overall is a fairly easy hike. :)

My husband and I had a wonderful day hiking with Magnus! He is familiar with the trails, hiked at our pace and offered interesting information about the mountain, Reykjavik and Iceland culture along the way. We were lucky to have a great weather day, but Magnus considered our skill levels and we did not feel rushed at all. The path we took offered great views and helped us appreciate the icelandic landscape. We highly recommend taking a hike with Magnus!

It was an amazing hike with beautiful views over Reykjavik. Magnus had so many things to say about Iceland and the local area. The hike is beside the regular tourist spots which was a huge bonus. I really enjoyed this tour.

The hike was great. We really enjoyed the scenery around the trail on Mt. Esja as well as the views down the mountain and into the distance. After booking, I had questions about transportation and time; all communication was prompt, clear, and helpful. Magnus was a wonderful guide. He is clearly a very good hiker who knows the location well. At a few spots where the terrain might have been a little slippery or steep, he provided advice for easier passage, and he remained ready to lend a hand in case anyone needed it. And he was a friendly, knowledgeable conversationalist en route. He even provided an excellent recommendation for lunch afterward. This is a fantastic way to spend 2-3 hours near Reykjavik. We highly recommend it.

Went together with three friends for a breathtaking hike to Mt. Esja which is very close to Reykjavik. It only took around 4 hours including the drive from and back to our hotel. I highly recommend this hike.

I had a phenomenal time! My guide Magnus was so kind and knowledgeable about trails all around Reykjavik, and I learned so much about Iceland as a whole just by talking with him. We had great conversations and shared some coffee once we reached the top of the mountain as well. It was exactly the kind of calming hike I was looking for on my weekend trip!

Weather played its hand in our experience and for that part we still had a fantastic time. Our hike was re-evaluated in the interest of safety and an alternative choice of hike was suggested due to weather forecast. We were in the very capable and safe hands of Magnus and his trusty canine companion Lisa. What a wonderful time we had with both, taking in some breathtaking views on the way up to the top and a full 360* view from the top. We could see the weather front approaching at pace from the distance and enjoyed a brief encounter being buffeted by the winds and snow before heading back down. With the weather changing rapidly we were mindful and grateful for Magnus’s guidance before and during the hike. There is simply too much to take in immediately, a beautiful hike in a beautiful country. Dress sensibly and appropriately for the conditions and you will have a wonderful time. Thank you Magnus & Lisa

Had a very adventuring hike with Magnus. The weather was extreme: windy and rain but we still went up, which I liked. It was a very unique experience, pure nature.

I decided to go hiking for my last day in Iceland. Magnus picked the perfect time to go, and we have been able to see the sunrise, which was an amazing experience. I simply loved it! Also, thank you again for the coffee, the water and the snacks on the way. Talking with you about Iceland and Greenland was also super interesting and I hope I will see you again someday. Last but not least, Magnus dropped me at the bus stop in order to go straight to the airport after the hike, which wasn't part of the plan in the first place. Anyway, I can't recommend this enough and I hope that someday I will be able to go hiking to this spot that is mostly known by the locals again. Simon

Magnus was great! Very personable and friendly, and gave me a mini guided tour of the city on our way to the trailhead. The hike itself was awesome, and we finished off in true Icelandic fashion by tasting some fermented shark and Brennivin! Overall a great experience and would 100% recommend.