Vestrahorn Iceland is one of the most photographed mountains on the island. Located on the Stokksnes peninsula, its steep slopes reaching a flat lagoon and small black dunes create a natural wonder and one of the most beautiful Icelandic landscapes.
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Vestrahorn Mountain Iceland - Well loved by photographers
Vestrahorn, sometimes called Vesturhorn, is a dramatic spot where vertiginous cliffs meet a flat black sand beach. It is 454m high and sometimes called Batman Mountain.
Before you learn more about one of the best landscapes in Iceland, here is a photo to show you why it is so loved by Photographers and why you should add it to your Iceland road trip
INFO & PLANNING TIPS - VESTRAHORN ICELAND
How to get to Stokksnes Beach and Vestrahorn Iceland
- On the South East Coast of Iceland
- How to get to Vestrahorn - On the Ring Road drive East pass the town of Höfn. After 7 km turn right(south) onto an unmarked dirt road just before the tunnel. Follow this road for over 5km and you will reach a cafe with the statue you see in picture below
- Pay the fee in the box
- On the right is a snapshot of Google Earth showing you the Stokksnes Map
- Coordonnées GPS dans l'eBook Experience Iceland
Imagery @2018 DigitalGlobe, TerraMetrics, IBCAO, Map [email protected] Google
Visiting Vestrahorn Iceland
- You can stop at the café and walk down to the black sand beach and lagoon
- Or you can drive the road towards the military base that is not military anymore I think. There you have to stop, then turnaround and admire the view. You can walk in the sand dunes to get some nice foreground to the mountains
- Be careful with the grass. It is critical to the sand dunes to avoid erosion
- And Check out my complete article with detailed suggestions and tips on what to wear and pack for Iceland to stay warm and comfortable
Vestrahorn, along with many other beautiful places, is included in my eBook: The Road Trip Guide - Iceland.
It is a practical tool to plan your trip with maps, photos, planning tips, GPS coordinates...
Staying near Vestrahorn
If you want to be able to photography it at sunset or sunrise, better to stay close to avoid too much driving.
I recommend staying in or around the town of Höfn - check out the best customer rated accommodations in the area.
The Statue guarding the Stokksnes beach
When we arrived at the café, this statue is placed in higher ground, guarding the beach and the mountain. I liked it especially with the beautiful blue sky behind it that I have not seen that often in Iceland 🙂
Vestrahorn Mountain in the clouds
Arriving at the fence of the military base, I turned around and discovered that amazing scene. I set up for a while away from my group admiring this striking mountain and watching each cloud get stuck above it. Because I wan assure you it was windy and clouds were moving a lot, but on Vestrahorn, all were stuck.
Vestrahorn and black sand dunes
At this end of the Stokksnes beach there are small dunes formed by the black sand. It makes for a great foreground. It was so frustrating not to have a wide angle. Those panomaras were taken with my iPhone not the big thing heavy to carry around...
If you look closely at the photo above some water remain on the sand and on quiet days (not windy) you can get wonderful reflections. Check out this example.
Black Sand Beach of Vestrahorn Iceland
From the dunes I went down to walk on the beach. Sadly it was not a good day /time for reflections. But the most famous pictures of Vesturhorn are the ones with crazy reflections. Check out this one by Eddie Lluisma or this one by Sus Bogaert.
Like Kirkjufell, Vestrahorn is well photographed (although not as much as it is very isolated in comparison). I really recommend googling pictures of it and you will see that some are incredible with reflections and partial snow.
Stuck clouds
I waited quite a long time but the clouds never left. More were coming and pilling up at the top of the mountains. A bit frustrating but a wonderful spectacle!
Vestrahorn Iceland in Winter
With a good car, it is worth visiting Vestrahorn in Winter. But be aware that the road would not be cleared.
To give you an idea, below is a photo:
Photo by Trevor Cole
Want to see more of Iceland's beauty?
Discover more things to do and places to see in Iceland in my online Iceland Destination Guide.
Unpredictable weather is sometimes a good thing, don’t you think?
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I am trying to include this place in my plan. As I will be driving, it would be great if you could give me sine ideas on the road condition from Route 1 leading to the cafe. I am not a very skillful driver.
Hi Carol. It is a gravel road that can be quite bumpy. Not technical, you should be fine (at least in spring/summer). Just drive slowly and check out the wind index that should be indicated on road 1.
Thanks Claire. Your website is very helpful. I enjoy very much the research and pre-visit before my trip.
Thanks Carol. So happy you find it helpful.
Hi Claire! What a great blog! So helpful to prepare our trip in September. Just one question: how much is the fee to pay here in Vesturhorn? Thanks.
Hi Lou. I am very happy you are finding it useful. It was the equivalent of a few US dollars, less than 5, but I do not remember exactly as our bus driver paid. Have a great trip!
Merci beaucoup from Spain 😉
I am heading to Iceland mid sept and wondered whether it would be better (photographically speaking) to see these mountains at sunset or sunrise? As they are on the east end of Iceland, I would’ve thought sunrise, but can you get sunset photos here?
Dear Janet
It depends on the time of the year.
For every place where you are wondering that, I recommend you use the Photographer’s Ephemeris (https://www.photoephemeris.com/) to see the exact setting point at your exact date.
From what I am seeing, the orientation does not look ideal for the 15th of September.
However Iceland is beautiful in every direction so you can always find great views with good lighting 🙂
Happy travels!