In Norse mythology, the dead must cross the river Gjöll on the way to Hel.
Gjöll is one of the rivers associated with the underworld in Norse cosmology. It flows near the bridge Gjallarbrú, which the dead must cross before reaching the realm ruled by Hel. The river’s name is commonly connected with a sense of loud sound or resounding noise.
The bridge is guarded by the maiden Móðguðr. In the story of Baldr’s death, the god Hermóðr travels toward Hel and encounters her at Gjallarbrú. She tells him that Baldr has already crossed and continues onward.
Gjöll is easy to confuse with Gjallarhorn, the horn associated with the god Heimdallr and the warning of Ragnarök. The similar names refer to different things: Gjöll is a river, while Gjallarhorn is a horn. Both appear in the mythological geography surrounding the gods’ final catastrophe.