The Huldufólk of Iceland
In Iceland, roads have been rerouted around rocks said to be the homes of the hidden people.
What was reported
In Icelandic folklore, the huldufólk, or 'hidden people', live in rocks, hills and lava fields, in a world parallel to ours. They look like humans but are usually invisible, and they can be offended if their homes are disturbed.
Surveys have found that many Icelanders don't rule out their existence. Several times, roads and building projects have been changed or delayed because of concerns about disturbing elf rocks, including a hill called Álfhóll in Kópavogur, where a road was narrowed rather than dig it up.
Explanations offered
The huldufólk are folklore, closely tied to Iceland's dramatic landscape and to respect for nature. Many Icelanders treat the stories with a mix of humour and care, and some road changes also had environmental or practical reasons.
- When
- Told for centuries
- Where
- Álfhóll, Kópavogur, Iceland
- Witnesses
- Icelanders across the country
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.