n a country where breathtaking and contrasting terrain is at the order of the day, you’ll find quite a few places that make for incredible photographs. One of these places is Vestrahorn Mountain.
In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about this interesting landmark, how to get there, and how to make the most of your visit. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!
What Makes Vestrahorn Mountain in Iceland So Special?
Imagine a mountain with jagged-tooth-like summits that has a long, outstretched black sand beach at its feet where the reflection of the mountain in the still clear water can sometimes be captured. It doesn’t get more Instagrammable than this.
Where is Vestrahorn in Iceland?
Vestrahorn can be found near the town of Höfn in the Stokknes Peninsula. Because of its convenient location near popular road trip routes such as the South Coast Way and the Ring Road, Vestrahorn is often included as a stop on a road trip itinerary.
How to Get to Mount Vestrahorn in Iceland
There are a number of ways to get to Vestrahorn:
You Can Visit Via a Tour
There are plenty of private guides and tours on the island that will give you the opportunity to visit Vestrahorn Mountain. These can come in the form of dedicated day tours, combo tours, or even multi-day holiday packages that include a variety of local attractions.
It’s just worth mentioning that these types of tours tend to fill up pretty fast during our busy summer season here on the island, so if you’re planning your visit for during this time, you should consider booking well in advance.
You Can Visit Via a Self-drive
This will always be our recommendation. Having your own transport means that you are not reliant on others and can be in control of your time and itinerary at all times. Getting to Vestrahorn by using the Ring Road is pretty easy.
Just drive east past the town of Höfn. After about 7 kilometers, you’ll turn right on an unmarked gravel road (before you reach the tunnel). You will continue driving on this road for about 5 kilometers till you reach the black sand beach of Vestrahorn.
How Was Vestrahorn Mountain Formed?
Vestrahorn is actually part of a trio of mountains dating back between 8 and 11 million years. The interesting part of Vestrahorn is that, despite it also being formed due to all the volcanic activity, glacial flooding, and general geological evolution of the country, it is different from most of the mountains here on the island.
Whilst other mountains consist of Basalt rock or Rhyolite, Vestrahorn is Gabbro Rock. Gabbro Rock is formed when magnesium and iron-rich magma cool down slowly over some time. The rock has coarse grains, is green-black in color, and tends to set into spiky shapes.
Do You Need to Pay to Visit Vestrahorn?
A small entrance fee is charged. And when we say small, we really mean it; access to Vestrahorn will leave you only $6.50 out of pocket. It is to pay for the maintenance and upkeep of the area, you can purchase a “ticket” at the Viking Cafe, which consists of a QR code that is scanned by the code readers at the gate to the beach.
Normally, most of the natural wonders here on the island are completely free of charge to visit, with the occasional parking fee here and there. But in the case of Vestrahorn, this landmark is situated on private land owned by the Viking Cafe.
When is the Best Time to Visit Vestrahorn?
Vestrahorn is open to the public all year round, especially since it’s situated in the southern part of Iceland, where the overall weather conditions are much more forgiving. As an outdoor activity and with so much to do and see in the area, we always suggest that you take a trip like Vestrahorn during the warmer months of the year when you have more daylight hours to play around with.
If you do decide to visit during the colder months of the year, just keep a close eye on the Iceland weather forecast and the Iceland road conditions to ensure that you don’t get caught in bad weather or a sudden road closure.
Things to Do Near Vestrahorn Mountain
You will find loads to do and see at Vestrahorn Mountain and its surroundings. Here are a few things that you can add to your trip itinerary:
Go on a boat tour at Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Take a stroll along Diamond Beach
Go on one of the horse riding tours to explore the area
Places to Stay Near Vestrahorn Mountain
If you would like to explore the area a bit more and get to experience some of the things mentioned above, you can opt to sleep over for a night or two. You will find plenty of accommodation options to choose from. For a touch of luxury, you can stay over at Hotel Höfn or Fosshotel Vatnajökull.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option that still gives you all your creature comforts, you can go for a place like Seljavellir Guesthouse. Or you can go the most budget-friendly route and book a camping spot at Vestrahorn Camping.
Vestrahorn Mountain in Iceland; A Snapshot of a Moment, Creating Lifelong Memories
With Vestrahorn being such an incredibly photographic landscape and with just the right angle making the perfect snapshot possible, it’s easy to understand why so many visitors flock to the site. But if you start delving into the surroundings and all there is to experience, see, and do, you soon realize that you will be walking away with lifelong memories.
So, why not rent a car in Iceland and start your South Coast Way road trip journey that includes the incredible Vestrahorn Mountain? You may get the perfect snapshot, but you’ll definitely end up with lifelong memories.
Comentarios