It is a tradition to walk up Helgafell on the first day of the new year.
Tens of thousands of people walk on or around Helgafell annually, and the mountain is very popular with hikers, runners and also mountain bikers. Rúnar Pálsson goes to Helgafell almost daily and has looked after the guestbook at the summit for nearly a quarter of a century. It has become a tradition for the couple, their children and grandchildren to walk together to Helgafell on New Year's Day with a new guestbook and a box of chocolates.
Tens of thousands of people walk on or around Helgafell annually, and the mountain is very popular with hikers, runners and also mountain bikers. Rúnar Pálsson goes to Helgafell almost daily and has looked after the guestbook at the summit for nearly a quarter of a century. It has become a tradition for the couple, their children and grandchildren to walk together to Helgafell on New Year's Day with a new guestbook and a box of chocolates.
Rúnar Pálsson from Hafnarfjörður goes to Helgafell almost every day.
A Model Hafnfirðingur
Helgafell is the family mountain, and the children are not very old when they make their first trip up it. Many are not even walking yet and enjoy the walk in a rucksack on their parents„ backs. The group goes together on at least one annual trip to the fell, on New Year's Day itself. It is estimated that Rúnar has around 200 books in his garage, inscribed with the names of summit-goers and all sorts of fun messages from visitors from all over the world. The idea for a visitor book in the area and the project as a whole was originally entirely Rúnar's initiative, and in 2019 he was awarded the title “Hafnarfjörður's Role Model' for this unique individual initiative that benefits the entire community and beyond. However, the popularity and appeal of Helgafell are such that, all year round, people use this 338-metre basalt cliff as a 'gym', dressing simply for the weather and the conditions.
Happy New Year, dear residents! May the year bring you joy, good health and exciting projects.
Hafnarfjörður's Christmas Magazine 2021
This coverage is part of the content in Hafnarfjörður's Christmas Magazine 2021. The Christmas issue has the sole and true purpose of introducing the Christmas town of Hafnarfjörður to all interested parties, to visitors and passers-by, and to shine a light on the warmth and diversity that lies with the people and businesses of the Christmas town of Hafnarfjörður. The 2021 Christmas magazine features, among other things, coverage of alternative entertainment, fitness traditions, the unique community spirit of the residents, the House of Opportunities in Hellisgerði, family-run businesses, the Northern Lights, magically-themed cafés, tempting recipes, the importance of enjoying oneself and relaxing, The Christmas Heart and the Heartwarming, which opens in December, community projects for the good of the community, and last but not least, the Christmas Village, which opened on the first weekend of Advent.