Facilities
At the local café, Kaffi Kjós, guests can enjoy snacks or meals in a homey and family-friendly environment, while taking in the view over lake Meðalfellsvatn. The café is open during the summer season. The barn at Hjalli has been remodelled and can house gatherings such as meetings and private parties. There is a good patio outside and access to a charcoal grill is possible upon request. It is furthermore possible to rent a gas grill and dinner service.
Service and recreation
During summer, Kaffi Kjós operates a small farmer’s market where guests can purchase essentials, lamb meat from the farm and local crafts. Play area for children. Campsite with access to WC and showers.
The farm animals include horses, sheep and dogs. Horseback riding is possible and there are good hiking trails in the area. The nearest swimming pool is located in Kjalarnes (Grundarhverfi), 23 km / 14 mi away and Reykjavík City is in 50 km / 31 mi ditance.
Create memories by the lake in the valley
Kjós is a flourishing region, set in a wide valley on the north side of Reykjavík’s city mountain, Mt Esja. The smaller mountain Meðalfell divides the Kjós region in two. The mountain’s namesake lake, Meðalfellsvatn, is surrounded by country cottages built by city dwellers who like to relax in the country. Across from Hjalli and on the other side of Meðalfell Mountain is the rough and steep north side of Mt Esja. These tricky hillsides often tempt avid climbers, but local guidance and the utmost care are highly recommended.
A beautiful drive to Þingvellir
A little further inland from Hjalli you will find bushy landscapes where country cottages also abound. Þingvellir National Park is 34 km / 21 mi away via the main road by Kjósarskarð. Laxá in Kjós, one of the better-known salmon rivers in Iceland, runs right by the Kjósarskarð route and a lovely waterfall, Þórunnarfoss, is 15 km / 9.5 mi along the road.
Hvalfjörður Fjord and the second-highest waterfall in Iceland
Nature is at its best in Hvalfjörður. The fjord is approx. 30-km-long (19 mi) from mouth to head and there are many reasons to stop and walk around. Birdlife is rich and many beautiful outdoor areas can be found here, as well as charming hikes over hills and through valleys. Glymur waterfall, Iceland’s second-highest waterfall, tumbles over a 198-m-high (650 ft.) cliff in a deep gorge in the hills of Botnsdalur valley, near the head of the fjord (25 km / 15.5 mi). A lovely hike takes walkers up from the valley and through the gorge on the west to the waterfall’s edge.
Hosts: Birna and Hermann