Traveleriences
Hraunfossar series of clear glacial springs cascading out of the Hallmundarhraun lava field

Borgarfjörður & Húsafell, Iceland

Ideal: 1–2 daysBest: May–Oct for green woodland walks and canyon bathing; open all year for Krauma and ice tunnelsPrice: Expensive
OverviewSeeEatHidden gemsDrinkAreasStayPracticalHistoryNearby

In 60 seconds

Borgarfjörður & Húsafell in 60 seconds

Situated just north of Reykjavík across the Hvalfjörður fjord, the fertile valley of Borgarfjörður unites prominent Icelandic Saga heritage with singular volcanic wonders. At Hraunfossar, hundreds of crystal-clear underground springs pour out of a porous lava rim directly into the glacial river, while further inland Húsafell's birch groves provide access to immense lava tubes, geothermal canyon baths and Langjökull glacier ice tunnels.

WaterfallsHot SpringsHistoryCaves

Best for

  • Nature

Known for

  • Hraunfossar waterfalls
  • Deildartunguhver hot spring & Krauma
  • Into the Glacier Langjökull

Skip if

You seek crashing coastal sea surf; Borgarfjörður is characterized by broad inland agricultural valleys and mountain woodlands.

Your match

Choose a few travel interests and we will show how well Borgarfjörður & Húsafell fits them. Choose interests

See

Must experience

The things that would make the trip incomplete without them.

Into the Glacier

Very expensive

Man-made ice tunnel into Langjökull

Travel onto the surface of Langjökull in an 8x8 monster truck to walk inside an extensive carved subterranean ice tunnel network.

Langjökull GlacierBook aheadGlacier
Official site for Into the Glacier (opens in a new tab)

Eat

Where to eat

A short list, kept short on purpose. Each entry answers one question: when is this the right choice?

More places to eat

Too few picks yet for their own heading, so they share this list.

Krauma Restaurant

Expensive

Fresh farm produce overlooking steaming hot springs

Serves fresh Icelandic ingredients sourced from neighboring greenhouse farms with views over the boiling Deildartunguhver spring.

ReykholtBistroFarm to table
Official site for Krauma Restaurant (opens in a new tab)

Beyond the obvious

Hidden gems

Less obvious, rarely queued for, and usually the part people remember.

After dark

Bars & nightlife

Orientation

Neighbourhoods

How the city is actually divided, and what each part is for.

Borgarnes

Coastal fjord town & hub

The prominent coastal town presiding over the Borgarfjörður bridge with museums and coastal viewpoints.

Húsafell Valley

Highland fringe woodland

A birch-covered valley haven sheltered beneath Langjökull glacier with hot springs and hiking trails.

Stay

Where to stay

Areas rather than hotels — pick the right one and the rest follows.

Húsafell Resort

Expensive

Woodland retreat beneath the glacier

Best base for exploring the highland ice tunnels, lava caves and canyon thermal baths.

HighlandsNature

Borgarnes

Moderate

Convenient Ring Road base

Well connected for exploring both Borgarfjörður inland attractions and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

HubRoad access

Practical

Know before you go

Driving access
Borgarnes is an easy 1-hour drive (75 km) from Reykjavík through the sub-sea Hvalfjörður tunnel on Route 1.
Highland gateway
The route from Húsafell to Langjökull glacier features unpaved sections; glacier excursions provide heavy transport.
Thermal heating
Deildartunguhver provides geothermal heating and hot tap water for all towns within a 65 km radius, including Akranes.
Cave clothing
Temperatures inside Víðgelmir cave remain around 0 to 4°C year-round; wear warm layers and sturdy footwear.

Plan this trip — useful links

Visit West Iceland — official site (opens in a new tab)Krauma Geothermal Baths — official (opens in a new tab)

Context

History in 5 minutes

Enough to make what you are looking at legible.

  1. c. 900

    Skalla-Grímur Kveldúlfsson claims land around Borgarnes, giving rise to the dramatic events of Egil's Saga.

  2. 1206–1241

    Chieftain and historian Snorri Sturluson resides at Reykholt, authoring the Prose Edda and Heimskringla.

  3. 2015

    The Into the Glacier man-made tunnel opens in Langjökull, establishing the world's largest ice tunnel.

Further out

Nearby escapes

Worth a day if you have one to spare.

Reykholt Historical Site (Snorrastofa)

Home of medieval historian Snorri Sturluson

One of Iceland's most significant historic seats, preserving Snorralaug, a 13th-century stone hot bathing pool.

In ReykholtHistoryMedieval

Glymur Waterfall

198m canyon cascade hike

Iceland's second-tallest waterfall, accessed via an adventurous hike along a deep river canyon with cave passages.

40 min south in HvalfjörðurHikeWaterfall