Skjólfjörur black sand beach

Be sure to visit Skjólfjörur beach when driving through Vopnafjörður! 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 spot a whale. The beach has a rocky shore with colorful stones that capture the eye. Driftwood brought to land by the waves is a testament to the incredible force the sea possesses. Please respect the fact that it is forbidden to remove stones from the beach. 

One characteristic of Vopnafjörður 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 or the Elephant by locals, as its form resembles an elephant.

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 Þerribjörg cliffs, east of Hellisheiði eystri, where the rhyoli te is at its most beautiful.