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nlike many others of its kind in Iceland, the Viking village at Vestrahorn was not the result of an archaeological dig and does not depict the original historic buildings, but was built entirely contemporary – as a film set.
According to many photographers, Stokksnes is the BEST photographic location in Iceland. See what it deserves such an opinion with.
Stokksnes – a beautiful, underrated place
Stokksnes is a promontory and beautiful vantage point on a peninsula located about 10 km east of Hofn. It is already in eastern Iceland and quite far (about 70 km) behind the last attraction (Jokulsarlon), which happens to be reached by short trips from Reykjavik. That’s probably why it’s less frequently visited, although in the right light the views here simply knock you out.
The creator of these beautiful views and the highlight of the area is Vestrahorn, one of the most breathtaking mountains in the country. It is not located on Stokksnes itself, but on the main part of the peninsula. Nevertheless, it is from this tiny, protruding promontory that it can be seen most magnificently.
The headland is privately owned. Probably only because of this it is possible to enter it quite comfortably by car. Unfortunately, as a result, there is a fee for entry and parking.
At the earlier parking lot – at the foot of Vestruhorn – there is also a small Viking Cafe with coffee and snacks. Iceland was of course settled by Vikings, but an additional reason for such a name is the Viking village nearby.
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nlike many others of its kind in Iceland, the Viking village at Vestrahorn was not the result of an archaeological dig and does not depict the original historic buildings, but was built entirely contemporary – as a film set.
Vestrahorn – the pearl of Stokksnes
Vestrahorn (or also: Vestruhorn) is a massif towering over Stokksnes. Its individual peaks are Leitishamar (650 meters above sea level), Teitsbrekkutindur (674 meters above sea level) and Klifatindur (847 meters above sea level). Although it is Klifatindur that is clearly the highest, historically the peak closest to the ocean – Leitishamar – and the Kastarfjall ridge diverging from it to the northeast (along the shore) were referred to as Vestruhorn. The heights may not be impressive on paper, but this massif “takes off” directly from the ocean and ascends very steep slopes. The realistic impression is truly magnificent.
This unusual (for Iceland) appearance, reminiscent of the High Tatras or the Alps, Vestrahorn naturally owes to the history of its formation. Unlike most mountains in Iceland, it is made of iron- and magnesium-rich gabbro rock. Such rock undergoes rock erosion in a different way, and as a result, Vestrahorn has a distinctive dark color and a steep, somewhat “jagged” appearance.
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he breathtaking landscapes have also been noticed by filmmakers. Among other things, several Bollywood films have been shot in Vestrahorn’s open air. Periodically, Indian filmmakers are major customers of the local airport and nearby hotels…
The huge and clearly demarcated Vestrahorn massif, rising directly from the ocean, beautifully exposed to the setting sun, with peaks reaching nearly 850 meters, steep slopes rising from a stunning lagoon amidst black beaches, is the perfect motif – or backdrop – for stunning photos. Due to its peculiar terrain and magnificent light reflections, the mountain is a photographer’s paradise and is often a destination for photo excursions. It is this massif that is photographed from the famous Stokksnes. Many online photos signed “Stokksnes” usually show just Vestrahorn. Stokksnes is simply the place from which you can see Vestrahorn best….
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he most popular maps among tourists – Google Maps – are a bit misleading here as to the naming of individual points. Therefore, I present maps from Cortasia, presenting this naming clearly, precisely and, hmm…, truthfully 🙂
Höfn – Local Lobster Capital
The name Höfn means port. This is not surprising – for the town lies in one of the few natural harbors on Iceland’s southern coast. To this day it is primarily a fishing town, although fishing has obviously changed quite a bit since the time of the first settlement.
Höfn is really small (it has a population of about 2,200), but after driving through the desolate south coast or the barely populated areas of the eastern fjords, arriving there looks like entering a metropolis. As the crow flies, Hofn lies only about 11 kilometers west of Stokksnes, but wishing to bypass Skardsfjordur Bay, the road distance between the city and the famous headland grows to about 17 kilometers.
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he town is sometimes called Iceland’s lobster capital because it is the island’s most important landing and processing point for Norway lobster and the Icelandic lobster fishery. Try dishes made from it at local restaurants.
Hofn, as a local “metropolis,” offers quite a few attractions besides viewing Vestruhorn. It has two hotels, guesthouses, a hostel, and a well-equipped campground. You’ll also find numerous restaurants, pharmacies and, of course, a hot pool.
You can get here not only by car, but also by bus and, if you insist, by plane. This is because the town has one of Iceland’s local airports – Hornafjörður (or Höfn í Hornafirði). The airline Eagle Air flies here five times a week. A one-way flight from Reykjavik (RKV city airport!) costs about €100 and takes 1 hour.
If you have some time on your hands, as you wait for that dream sunset at Stokksnes, for example, in Hofn you can, among other things:
- swim in the hot pool (even with a slide!);
- take a peek at Gamlabúð – an educational point of Vatnajokull National Park, telling mainly about bird migrations – Hornafjörður Bay lying west of the town is one of the main stops for migratory birds in Iceland; there is also a small tourist store in Gamlabud;
- taste fresh lobster – in the town you will find several restaurants serving this local delicacy;
Hints and practical information
- If you want to take unique photos, find accommodation in Hofn and visit Stokksnes shortly before sunset.
- In addition to several hotels and guesthouses, in Hofn you can also stay overnight in a HI chain hostel (open year-round) and a campground (which also offers year-round cabins).
- The beach at Stokksnes is private. A small fee is required to use it.
- There is a small fee.
- There is also a fee to drive along the road and park near Vestrahorn.
- There is a Viking Cafe with coffee and snacks next to the parking lot. There is also a Viking village nearby, built for the movie set.
- Vestrahorn is about a six-hour drive from Reykjavík. So a day trip to Vestrahorn will not be a good idea, unless you choose to fly with Eagle Air.
How to get to Hofn, Vestrahorn and Stokksnes
Hofn is located on Road 1, about 120 kilometers south of East Iceland’s capital Egilsstadir. However, the access by road winding between the glacier and the fjords is as much as 250 km. Looking the other way, Hofn is about 270 km northeast of Vik and 450 km east of Reykjavik.
Map: Driving to Stokksnes.
Stokksnes is worth seeing on a trip around the entire island. Since the best light, the beautiful “golden hour”, is close to sunset (in summer it’s around midnight!), it’s worth planning an overnight stay right in Hofn if you want a chance for super beautiful photos.
Hofn is located on a promontory surrounded by two bays. To the west is Hornafjörður, and to the east is Skarðsfjörður. To get to Stokksnes, you have to drive just across the latter bay.
