Region
South Iceland
95 km from Reykjavik
Hella, South Iceland
South Iceland's horse country, surrounded by breeding farms, with Mount Hekla nearby and roads leading to the highlands.
Population
~800
South Iceland • Horse country
Quick Answer
Hella is a South Iceland town of about 800 people, roughly 95 km (1.5 hours) from Reykjavik on the Ring Road. It sits in Icelandic horse-breeding country, about 40 km from Mount Hekla, and Route 26 leads from town toward Landmannalaugar and the highlands. Hotels, restaurants, a supermarket, and a geothermal pool cover the basics.
Hella sits in the middle of Iceland's horse breeding country, surrounded by farms that raise Icelandic horses. The town provides services for travelers heading to Mount Hekla or the highland roads to Landmannalaugar.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Mount Hekla can erupt with very short warning. Check volcanic conditions before approaching the mountain.
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Official sources to check
Population
~800
Agricultural service center
Known for
Horse farms
Hekla and highland gateway
Top Attractions near Hella
Icelandic Horse Farms
Riding tours and horse shows
Mount Hekla
Active volcano, guided tours available
Landmannalaugar
Colorful highland hot springs
Keldur
Historic turf farm from saga times
Hella Swimming Pool
Geothermal pool with hot tubs
Caves of Hella
Guided visits to human-made caves at Aegissida
How to Get to Hella
From Reykjavik: 1.5 hours via Route 1 (Ring Road), passing through Selfoss.
To Landmannalaugar: Plan the full route from Route 26 to Landmannalaugar, including its mountain-road sections. Check opening and vehicle requirements for those sections before departure.
Public transport: Strætó bus service connects Hella to Reykjavik and other South Iceland towns.
Best Time to Visit Hella
Summer: Summer is the main season for highland trips, subject to road opening and conditions. Book specific riding or other tours ahead.
Year-round: Town services and guided attractions can provide stops outside the highland season. Confirm each operator’s availability.
A scheduled cave visit beside the Ring Road
Caves of Hella meets visitors at Aegissida 4, beside Route 1 near town. The operator lists guided English tours at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00, lasting 60–75 minutes, and asks visitors to arrive ten minutes early. Choose a departure in the booking calendar before making this your driving break.
The published standard price, checked September 10, 2026, is 6,950 ISK per adult and 2,850 ISK for children aged 6–15; under-sixes enter free. A two-adult, two-child family ticket is listed at 15,900 ISK, compared with 19,600 ISK for those four individual tickets. The visit explores human-made caves. Claims about exactly who first made them should be treated separately from the documented tour arrangements.
Planning help
Hella FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is the population of Hella?
Hella has approximately 800 residents and is a service center for the surrounding agricultural region.
Is Hella known for horses?
Yes, the Hella area is known for Icelandic horse breeding. Several farms run riding tours and horse shows that demonstrate the tölt gait.
How close is Hekla volcano to Hella?
Mount Hekla is about 40 km northeast of Hella. The town is a base for Hekla tours, though the volcano can erupt with little warning.
How far is Hella from Reykjavik?
Hella is about 95 km from Reykjavik, approximately 1.5 hours by car via Route 1 (Ring Road).
Is Hella a gateway to the highlands?
Yes, Route 26 from Hella leads to Landmannalaugar and the interior highlands. A 4x4 vehicle is required for highland roads.
What services are in Hella?
Hella has hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, a supermarket, a gas station, and a swimming pool.
Does Hella have a swimming pool?
Yes, Hella has a geothermal swimming pool with hot tubs.
Is Hella connected to any sagas?
The area appears in Njáls Saga, and historic sites like the Keldur turf farm are nearby.
For national population totals and trends to put local figures in context, see our Iceland statistics.