Hálsins
Hálsins is a term of Icelandic origin that refers to a mythic stone guardian thought to inhabit the steeper slopes of the western fjords. In the earliest Icelandic sagas, the hálsins is described as a massive basalt monolith that appears to shift its position in response to travelers' intentions. The term is derived from the Old Norse *háls* meaning “throat” or “pass” combined with the suffix *-ins*, denoting a protective entity, suggesting the hálsins acts as a gatekeeper of hidden routes through harsh terrain.
According to the 12th‑century *Íslendingabók*, local farmers believed that approaching the hálsins during sunrise would bring
Modern Icelandic culture includes references to hálsins in several contemporary poetry collections and in the local