Beinahóll on Kjölur

Suðurland (högländerna) · Island · Natural site

The Hill of Bones on the Kjölur route, where the Reynistaður brothers froze to death in 1780, frightened travellers so badly the entire highland trail was abandoned.

Beinahóll, the 'hill of bones', is a low lava mound in the Kjalhraun lava field on the Kjölur highland route, named after the white sheep and horse bones still protruding from the ground. Here the brothers Bjarni and Einar of Reynistaður perished with three companions and their whole flock in an early-winter storm in 1780; the younger brother was only eleven. Some of their remains were not found until 1846, and after the tragedy such persistent tales of revenants spread that the Kjölur trail was effectively abandoned for over a century. Even today highland travellers report unease and dread by the mound, and it is said to bring misfortune to touch or remove any of the bones. A memorial was raised on the spot in 1971.

FAQ

Where is Beinahóll on Kjölur located?

Beinahóll on Kjölur is in Suðurland (högländerna), Island.