[1] Hella is situated 94 kilometres (58 mi) to the east of Reykjavík on the Hringvegur (Route 1) between Selfoss and Hvolsvöllur.

As in other regions of the country, tourism is a growing sector.

The volcano Hekla is nearby so it is possible to go hiking there as well as to make excursions to other locations popular with tourists such as Landmannalaugar or Þórsmörk.

The founding of Hella started in 1927 when Þorsteinn Björnsson built a store over by the bridge Ytri-Rangá in the land of Gaddstaðaflatir.

Hella has a subarctic climate (Köppen: Dfc; Trewartha: Eolo), with temperatures rising above 10 °C (50 °F) only in July and August.