Helgafell

Helgafell is a low hill of only 73 metres near Stykkisholmur, and its importance is entirely historical: Eyrbyggja saga records it as sacred to Thor before the conversion, so holy that people would not look at it unwashed, and later a monastery stood at its foot before moving elsewhere. At the base is the grave traditionally identified as Gudrun Osvifursdottir's, the central figure of Laxdaela saga and one of the most fully drawn characters in the sagas. A tradition attaches to the climb: make three wishes going up without looking back or speaking, facing east at the ruins on top, and keep them to yourself.

What's there

• A hill sacred before Christianity - recorded in Eyrbyggja saga.
• Gudrun's grave at the foot - the central figure of Laxdaela saga.
• A wish tradition on the climb - silence, no looking back, facing east.
• Ruins on the summit - a chapel site with the view over Breidafjordur.

When to go

May to September. Two hours.

Good to know

It is a small hill and a short climb - the interest is the history, not the walk. The site is on a working farm and the track is used by the farmer. There are no facilities. The summit is exposed and windy.

Nearby

Stykkisholmur is minutes north; Berserkjahraun is west.

Key facts