Vestrahorn is a 454 m (1,490 ft) mountain on the Stokksnes headland in southeast Iceland, about 450 km (roughly 6 hours) from Reykjavik on the Ring Road and a short drive from the town of Höfn. Stokksnes is private land: the entrance fee is about 1,000 ISK for visitors aged 16 and over, and children under 16 enter free. This page contains partner links: if you book, we earn a commission at no cost to you.
Highlights
The black sand beach and dunes
Vestrahorn rises straight behind the dunes, and wet sand at low tide mirrors the peaks on calm days.
The Viking Village
a life-sized replica village built in 2009 for an Icelandic film that was never finished, later used for the series "The Witcher: Blood Origin" and the Bollywood film "Dilwale". It is open to visitors for the same fee.
The Viking Cafe
where the fee is paid; it serves snacks, coffee and light meals. When it is closed, a self-service kiosk outside lets you pay and enter.
The radar station
the H-3 station at the tip of the headland monitors Icelandic airspace; it is a working site, not a sight to visit.
Höfn
the nearest town for fuel, food and beds; see Höfn.
Practical info
Tips
- Plan 1.5 to 3 hours. The best photographs come around low tide and in the golden hours of morning or evening, so look up the tide table for Höfn before you set out. Wind is common on the headland, so bring a windproof layer and protect camera gear from blowing sand. Stay on the tracks between the dunes, as the grass roots hold the sand in place. Because the site is on private land, pay the fee even if nobody is at the desk. Continue west to Jökulsárlón, about 66 km from Höfn, or combine the stop with Vatnajökull National Park. A rental car is the practical way here; the road from the Ring Road is gravel, and the Discover Cars page for Iceland is linked in the box above. For longer routes, read Iceland 4x4 rental and the Iceland itinerary for 10 days.
How to get there
From Reykjavik, follow the Ring Road (Route 1) east for about 450 km; as you approach Höfn, turn onto the gravel road that leads to Stokksnes. It is generally passable in a normal car if you drive slowly, and a 4x4 is recommended in winter. Check road.is for conditions before you leave.
Opening hours
Nearby
See on the map →
Comments
No comments yet.