Skólavörðustígur — Rainbow Street to Hallgrímskirkja

Background

History & Background

The street name dates from the era when a Latin school stood on the hill where Hallgrímskirkja now rises. A stone cairn (vörður) marked the route, and the street was known as the 'School Cairn Road'. When Hallgrímskirkja was built 1945–1986, Skólavörðustígur became the ceremonial approach to Iceland's most iconic building. The rainbow paint was added in 2015 during Reykjavík Pride.

Skólavörðustígur runs 500 metres from the junction with Laugavegur shopping street at the bottom of the hill straight up to Hallgrímskirkja church at the summit. The gradient is steep — about 12% — which makes for dramatic photos looking upward to the church, and rewarding views looking downward over the colourful rooftops of central Reykjavík. The street is pedestrian-friendly with wide pavements, benches, and minimal traffic. It's lined with some of the best independent shops in Reykjavík: art galleries (including the excellent i8 Gallery), design boutiques, vintage clothing stores, and the flagship stores of Icelandic brands like 66°North. The rainbow crosswalk at the bottom of the street, painted in 2015 for Pride and made permanent by popular demand, is now one of the most-photographed spots in Iceland. On a sunny day the colours are intense; in winter when covered with snow they almost disappear, reappearing in spring like a symbol of renewal.