Mosfellsbær

Mosfellsbær is a municipality in Iceland's Capital Region that covers diverse landscapes ranging from coastal areas to mountains. The area is crossed by three rivers and features numerous hiking trails along with public swimming facilities open year-round.

The area is connected to the Viking figure Egil Skallagrimsson, whose burial site lies nearby and is surrounded by saga tales. In the 20th century, thermal springs began providing heating to the capital, a system that has operated since 1933.

The former home of Nobel Prize winner Halldór Laxness, Gljúfrasteinn, now serves as a museum where you can see his writing spaces and personal belongings. You can walk through the house and explore the rooms where this major Icelandic author spent his creative life.

The area is best for hiking during the summer months when trails are dry and easy to walk. In winter, snow and ice can make conditions harder, but the swimming facilities and museum are accessible year-round.

The three rivers flowing through the area - Leirvogsá, Kaldakvísl, and Varmá - have different temperatures, with one running cold, one warm, and one mixing both together. This natural variety creates unusual conditions that attract trout fishers and make the place special for water activities.

Location: Capital Region

Elevation above the sea: 0 m

Shares border with: Reykjavíkurborg, Bláskógabyggð, Grímsnes- og Grafningshreppur, Ölfus, Kópavogsbær

Website: https://mosfellsbaer.is

GPS coordinates: 64.16863,-21.71323

Latest update: December 20, 2025 11:56