Skjólfjörur

Be sure to visit Skjólfjörur beach when driving through Vopnafjordur! The beach is only a short walk from the road and offers a magnificent view of the open Atlantic sea. If you’re lucky you might even see a whale. The beach has a rocky shore, with colorful stones that capture the eye. Driftwood which the waves have brought to land is a testament to the incredible force the sea possesses. Please respect that it is forbidden to remove stones from the beach. 

One characteristics of Vopnafjordur is the incredible rock pillars and cliffs that take on various forms, often resembling different creatures. Ljósastapi rock pillar stands out in the sea just off Skjólfjörur. It is often called “Fíllinn” (the Elephant by locals), as its form resembles an elephant. It is a vera photogenic place!

To the right of Ljósastapi, the mountain Búrið stands out from the mountain range. Búrið is a part of the Fagradalur mountains, an ancient volcanic area. In the Fagradalur mountains, you can see colorful rhyolite rocks that certainly make their mark on the surrounding environment. A marked walking path takes you down to Múlahöfn harbour and to Þerribjarg cliffs, east of Hellisheiði Eystri, where the rhyolite is at its most beautiful.