Iceland · Rock Climbing

Skessuhorn

12 Hours Round trip from Borgarnes Challenging pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Climb Skessuhorn’s beautiful northwest ridge
  • 02 Enjoy a full-day hiking and climbing adventure near Reykjavík
  • 03 Learn climbing basics and use of climbing gear with your guide
  • 04 Tackle harder sections on top rope for added support
  • 05 Take in scenic landscapes on the 3 to 4 hour approach hike
  • 06 Reach the summit for photos and wide mountain views
  • 07 Possible descent by hiking trail or rappelling, depending on conditions

Take on one of the most enjoyable mountain climbs near Reykjavík on this full-day Skessuhorn adventure. Combining a scenic approach hike with a beautiful northwest ridge climb, this experience offers an alpine feel in a striking Icelandic landscape of swamps, rocks, rivers, and wide valley views.

After driving north-west from Reykjavík to Skorradalur, you’ll hike to the base of the mountain, gear up, and go over climbing techniques with your guide. On the ridge, the harder sections are climbed on top rope, making this a fun and supportive introduction to mountain climbing for active travellers with a taste for adventure.

Reach the summit for photos and sweeping views, then descend either by the hiking trail or by rappelling the ridge, depending on conditions and your guide’s decision on the day.

Approach takes from 3 to 4 hours over swamps, rocks, and beautiful landscape.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 12 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Challenging
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
City Reykjavik
Languages English, Icelandic

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

How to get to Skessuhorn

Drive road numer 1 
before going into the town Borgarnes take a right turn or road 50 heading to the town Hvanneyri.

next take a nother right turn on the road 507 drive that road for 10-20minutes  after that time you see car markt North Ice

Skessuhorn

Skessuhorn is one of the most fun mountains to climb close to Reykjavík. The northwest ridge is a beautiful climb with an alpine feeling.

We start with one hour drive from Reykjavík heading north-west to the valley Skorradalur. When we get to the destination, we will go over the task for the day. When we are ready, we begin the approach to the base of Mt. Skessuhorn.
Approach takes from 3 to 4 hours over swamps, rocks, and beautiful landscape. We have a few rivers to go over on the way, but they are small and usually not hard to pass.

Under the mountain we gear up for the climb and have some lunch. After a bite we’ll go over how to climb and how to use some of the climbing gear.

For the hard parts of the climb our guide will climb up 15-30meters and bring you up, so you are always climbing on top rope. Climbing the ridge takes from 2-3 hours and is one of the most fun ridges to climb in Iceland.

This is not a super difficult one but a fun one.
On the summit we grab some photos and enjoy the view before going back down. There are two options, one the way back. We can hike back the normal hiking trail or rappel back down the ridge, our guide will take that decision and let you know.

When we are off the mountain we walk back to the car. After a long day of hiking and climbing it’s nice to get to the car and have some drinks.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Borgarnes 1 city · 12 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Local guides, climbing gear, ropes, helmets,
  • carabiners harness.

What's Not Included

  • You should bring:
  • Warm clothes,
  • rain gear; pants & jacket,
  • down-or primaloft jacket (can be nice on lunch break),
  • good hiking boots,
  • hat & gloves,
  • backpack 20-30l,
  • food & water for the day,
  • sunglasses,
  • hiking poles.

What to bring

  • You should bring:
  • Warm clothes,
  • rain gear; pants & jacket,
  • down-or primaloft jacket (can be nice on lunch break),
  • good hiking boots,
  • hat & gloves,
  • backpack 20-30l,
  • food & water for the day,
  • sunglasses,
  • hiking poles.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Borgarnes, IS
Tour start
Borgarnes, IS
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 12 hours finish where they began, in Borgarnes.

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