Do elves exist? There’s only one way to find out…

A rich strand of folklore and a belief in the supernatural make the Nordic countries the stuff that fairy tales are made of

If you thought elves, dwarfs and other such creatures existed only in fairy tales, think again – or that’s what millions of northen Europeans would have us believe. Throughout the Nordic countries, from Iceland and the Faroe Islands to Sweden and Finland, folklore is rife with tales of elves and other “hidden people” who inhabit the region’s hills, rocks and forests.

They might (supposedly) be visible only to those with second sight, but their influence stretches beyond the lucky few. In 2007, a survey conducted by Reykjavik University in Iceland estimated that 62 per cent of the population believed in elves. Other studies since have suggested the figure is higher.

“Some people say they don’t believe such creatures exist, but if you ask them to break up an elf rock [reputedly, a home for elves] most will refuse,” says Sigurbjorg Karlsdottir, whose company, Hidden World Walks, provides tours around Hafnarfjordur, a coastal town six miles from Reykjavik. “That’s because there are so many stories about how the creatures can cast a spell if we do such things.” One stop on Sigurbjorg’s tours is the base of a cliff, called Hamarinn, where it is said the Royal Family of the Hidden Folk lives.

For the many believers in such things, Hafnarfjordur is renowned for having one of Iceland’s largest colonies of elves, dwarfs and other spiritual beings, something Sigurbjorg actively promotes. “Many visitors and Icelandic people are intrigued to hear about the hidden people, so I take them to the prominent places in Hafnarfjordur and tell them about the genesis of elves and stories handed down through the generations.”

But it’s not just tourists who have enjoyed her 90-minute tours – she has shared her knowledge with TV crews, too. “I was even on Blue Peter and have a badge to prove it!” she laughs. “The presenters joined one of my tours.”

For any doubters who suggest that stories of invisible creatures are hyped-up for the benefit of tourism, it must be remembered that tales of hidden people have existed for centuries. “Besides,” adds Sigurbjorg, “there are so many stories about strange things that have happened. For example, a new neighbourhood being built in the town experienced many problems, including machinery continuously breaking down, until the workforce made peace with these creatures.”

Across Iceland, such incidents occur from time to time, such as new roads having to be built around elf rocks so as not to disturb them. And in 2016, the Icelandic media reported a story headlined “Elf rock restored after its removal wreaked havoc on an Icelandic town”. The rock, said to be the home of elves, was covered in piles of soil by road workers, after which a series of mishaps followed, allegedly caused by the elves, until the rock was recovered and restored.

“These creatures often appear in the dreams of those with second sight,” says Sigurbjorg, “telling them if they are doing something wrong and how this can be rectified so they don’t face the creatures’ anger. But sometimes they ask for help instead and people are rewarded in one way or another.”

All the Nordic countries boast a rich tradition of folklore, influenced perhaps by their geographical position close to the Arctic Circle or beyond it. Dark winters and mysterious landscapes are the perfect breeding grounds for such tales.

Take the Faroe Islands, where supernatural beings are believed in as strongly as they are in Iceland. Here it is claimed that the huldufolk – as they are known on the archipelago – exist, some with good intent, others not. While most are affable, a minority are mischievous. In days gone by, if a person or animal went missing, it was claimed the “hidden people” had taken them.

While the idea of elves and dwarfs is consistent across the Nordic countries, there are often subtle local differences, such as their type of abode. In Iceland, rocks and mounds are often cited as being elf homes, while in Sweden the beings are reputed to live in the depths of forests or in meadows associated with fog. A commonly used phrase is “elves are dancing in the mist”.

Whichever Nordic country you visit, you are sure to be transfixed by the magic of the prevailing folklore. Whether it is elves, trolls, dwarfs or “Jul nisser”, also known as Christmas elves – who live in Danish forests and enter people’s homes during the festive period to play tricks – there are myriad enchanting tales to be heard.

For more information on Hidden World Walks, see alfar.is

Overseas holidays are currently subject to restrictions. See Page 3. theme parks, where he found the spark to write The Nightingale. For a quick 101, take a trip on The Flying Trunk Ride, featuring 32 scenes from the author’s famous works.

Speeding forward a few decades, the Troll Museum (free; visitnordjylland. com) at Gjol in North Jutland, celebrates the cute, tufty-haired Lucky Trolls character created by Thomas Dam in the 1930s, which went on to star in the Hollywood Trolls films.

Not all mythical creatures belong to the past, however. Using reclaimed wood, discarded foliage and scrap material, artist Thomas Dambo has created a collection of playful trolls, fitted with slides, swings and climbing frames. More importantly, they give a sobering commentary on our attitudes towards waste.

Spread all over Denmark, the “giant people” can be found in unusual locations using an interactive map (trollmap.com), encouraging hobgoblin hunters to explore less popular parts of the country.