Naustahvilft the Troll Seat: A Steep One-Hour Hike Above Ísafjörður
If you have a spare hour in Ísafjörður and want a big view without committing to a full-day expedition, Naustahvilft is the hike locals point you to. It is the chair-shaped hollow you can see cut into the mountainside across the fjord from town, and the climb up to it is short, sharp and rewarding.
What Naustahvilft Is
Naustahvilft means roughly “the Troll Seat,” and the name comes from an old story: a troll, hurrying home before the morning sun could turn her to stone, sat down to rest with her aching feet in the fjord. The hollow scooped out of Kirkjubólsfjall is said to be where she sat, with the deep harbour where her feet had been. Geologically it is a hanging-valley depression in the cliffs above Skutulsfjörður, and from the seat itself you get a full panorama over Ísafjörður town and the fjord below.
Getting There from Town
The trailhead is the parking area at the base of the mountain, near Ísafjörður airport, on the far side of the fjord from the town centre. It is only about 5–6 km from the inn, a short drive of roughly ten minutes via Route 61 (Djúpvegur). There is no public trailhead shuttle, so most guests drive; the walk itself starts right from the parking area and climbs directly up the slope.
How Hard, How Long
Do not be fooled by the distance. The trail is only about 0.8 mi / 1.3 km round trip, but it gains roughly 170–190 m (around 620 ft) over that short stretch, so it is steep the whole way up, on loose gravel and rock. Trail apps rate it “hard” for exactly this reason. Fit hikers reach the seat in about 20–30 minutes; a round trip of 45–60 minutes is typical. Take your time on the descent, where the loose footing is easiest to slip on.
- Getting there: about a 10-minute drive (5–6 km) from central Ísafjörður to the parking area near the airport, via Route 61.
- Duration: roughly 45–60 minutes round trip; about 20–30 minutes up for fit hikers.
- Elevation: around 170–190 m (approx. 620 ft) of gain over a short, very steep slope.
- What to bring: proper hiking shoes with grip for the loose gravel, a windproof layer (it is exposed at the top), water, and gloves outside high summer.
- When to go: best in summer and early autumn when the path is dry and snow-free; check the forecast, as wind funnels through the fjord.
Where to Stay
The Ísafjörður Inn sits in the middle of town, so the Troll Seat trailhead is only a short drive across the fjord — you can be back from the hike and into the pool or a harbour-side restaurant within the hour. Its in-town location also makes it an easy base for the wider northern Westfjords. Book direct on Ourhotels.is for the best rate.
Photo: Christian Bickel (Fingalo) via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 de.