Naustahvilft
A hollow scooped out of the mountainside above Isafjordur, said in folklore to be where a troll sat down.
Updated 30 August 2026
Naustahvilft is a cirque cut into the mountain across the fjord from Isafjordur, a clean rounded hollow high on the slope that was carved by a small glacier during the ice age. Icelandic folklore calls it the troll seat, from a story about a troll woman resting there and being caught by the sunrise. A marked path climbs to it from near the airport road, steep and rough on loose ground, taking around forty-five minutes up. From the hollow the town, the fjord and the airstrip lay out below, and the path can be continued higher for anyone who wants the ridge.
What's there
- A rounded hollow high on the slope - cut by an ice age glacier.
- The troll seat - the folklore that names it.
- A steep forty-five minute climb - loose and rough underfoot.
- Isafjordur below - the town, the fjord and the airstrip.
When to go
June to September; snow and ice make it unsafe otherwise. Two to three hours.
Practical notes
The path is steep with loose scree that is harder coming down than going up. Rockfall is possible below the hollow. There are no facilities at the trailhead. Cloud sits on the mountain often.
Nearby
Isafjordur is across the fjord; Bolungarvik and Bolafjall are north.
What to pack for Naustahvilft
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Broken-in walking shoes or boots - Grip and ankle support matter more than looks; never hike in brand-new boots. Find on Amazon
- Warm base layers - Merino or synthetic against the skin - never cotton, which chills when damp. Find on Amazon
- Layers + a waterproof shell - Mountain weather turns fast; a packable rain jacket saves the day. Find on Amazon
- An insulated + windproof jacket - A down or synthetic layer under a hard shell handles most cold. Find on Amazon
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