{"id":9944,"date":"2020-11-06T16:44:24","date_gmt":"2020-11-06T15:44:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/?p=9944"},"modified":"2024-01-21T13:45:16","modified_gmt":"2024-01-21T12:45:16","slug":"vestrahorn-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/en\/vestrahorn-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Vestrahorn \u2013 photogenic \"Batman Mountain\" in Iceland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Iceland.<\/strong> For many Icelandic travelers the glacier lagoon J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n is the turning point of their road trip. But not far from the ice lagoon is Iceland's \"Batman Mountain\",<\/strong>one of the most photogenic mountains in the country. The spiky Vestrahorn with its horns makes photographers' hearts beat faster. But also hikers will love the nature idyll around the Vestrahorn in the south of Iceland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Unassigned, unpaid advertising. The article contains affiliate links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Vestrahorn \u2013 the \"Batman Mountain\" in the Southeast of Iceland<\/a>
Why visit the Vestrahorn?<\/a>
Model Vestrahorn - great Photos guaranteed<\/a>
Viking Caf\u00e9 with Camp Site and Accommodation<\/a>
Viking Village of Stokksnes<\/a>
Riding at the Vestrahorn<\/a>
Hiking at the Vestrahorn and on the Stokksnes Headland<\/a>
How much Time should one plan?<\/a>
How to get there & Entrance Fee<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Vestrahorn \u2013 the \"Batman Mountain\" in the Southeast of Iceland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Vestrahorn<\/strong> is part of the 889 m high mountain massif Klifatindur.<\/strong>Besides Vestrahorn, Eystrahorn in the east and the Brunnhorn in front of it belong to Klifatindur. There are also many other smaller peaks and horns that give the mountain massif its special appearance. The peaks of the mountain look similar to the Batman logo (<\/strong>from a distance). Therefore the Vestrahorn is often called \"Batman Mountain\" by the locals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Vestrahorn
The similarity to the Batman logo is not entirely undeniable.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Good to know:<\/strong> Klifatindur was created during the ice age. Its peaks are the remains of a large volcano that was active about 6 to 7 million years ago. Unlike most mountains in Iceland, Klifatindur is not made of lava, but of magmatic deep rock, grabbo and granophyr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Why visit the Vestrahorn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Heading east on the ring road, you quickly pass one of the most photogenic mountains in Iceland - without seeing it. The Vestrahorn and the dune landscape in front of it on the headland Stokksnes<\/strong> are a bit offside. You have to drive there intentionally. But once you have decided to take a little detour over the gravel road, the Vestrahorn will not let you off. I wish I had had more time to photograph this hidden jewel extensively at all times of day and night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vestrahorn is with the Kirkjufell the most photographed mountain in Iceland.<\/strong>There are also great hiking opportunities<\/strong> here, including the ascent of the peak of Klifatindur. The landowners run a small inn with a nice caf\u00e9 and viking village.<\/strong>There is even the possibility to ride one of the great Icelandic horses<\/strong>. More about this later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Vestrahorn
The only thing missing here are the Icelandic horses in the picture.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Model Vestrahorn - great Photos guaranteed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The mountain with the black dune landscape on the Stokksnes peninsula is a highlight for every landscape photographer.<\/strong>If you browse the internet for pictures of the Vestrahorn, you will be flooded with great shots. The mountain is especially beautiful at sunset or when it is framed by bright green northern lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can reach the best photo spots from the Viking Caf\u00e9 via a dead end road. There are four parking lots along the road. To the right and left of the road are wide black sand beaches and two lagoons. The water level in the lagoons is tidal. At low tide they fall dry. At high tide and windless weather you can catch fantastic water reflections of the Vestrahorn in the lagoon.<\/strong> To find the right time, it is best to find out about the tides in advance <\/strong>\u2013 click here for the tide table<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Panorama
Also on the beach there are great water reflections of the Vestrahorn.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When I arrived at the Vestrahorn, unfortunately there was already low tide. But I could still take pictures of beautiful reflections. Since the beach is very flat, the waves come up far. When they flow back and there is still some water left over the sand, there are also some great reflections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A little above the beach there is an extraordinary dune landscape.<\/strong>The black dunes are partly covered with beach grass and give a great foreground for your photos. Do you have a tripod and remote shutter release with you? The dunes are a great spot for selfies in front of the mountain. But be careful with the grass, it is an important erosion protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"D\u00fcne
The extraordinary dune landscape is a great foreground.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Viking Caf\u00e9 with Camp Site and Accommodation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Viking Caf\u00e9<\/a><\/strong>is rustic and cosy. Here you get a second breakfast, coffee, cake and sandwiches in a really nice atmosphere. If the weather is good, you can also sit outside and enjoy the view over the bay with your coffee. And if the weather is not good, you can browse the souvenirs, write a postcard or use the free WiFi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can't get enough of the Vestrahorn and want to spend the night here in the southeast of Iceland? This is also taken care of: Motorhomes can find a Pitch for the Night<\/strong> in the parking lot in front of the caf\u00e9. The guesthouse <\/strong>also offers seven comfortable rooms for travelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cafe
The Viking Cafe with its rustic atmosphere invites one to a second breakfast.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Viking Village of Stokksnes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Left of the Viking Caf\u00e9 you can take a walk to the Wikingerdorf “The old Farm” <\/strong>The village was built in 2009 as a location for filming. <\/strong>The building material was mainly driftwood and old telephone poles. The film was never shot, but the village still stands here. The entrance fee is included in the entrance to the Vestrahorn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wikingersiedlung
On the other side of the small lagoon is the Viking Village, a film location from 2009.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Riding at the Vestrahorn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Opposite the Viking Caf\u00e9 is the Hornhestar Riding Farm,<\/strong><\/a>which offers horseback riding tours in front of the breathtaking scenery of the Vestrahorn. You will ride over black sandy beaches and can admire the beautiful landscape of Stokksnes from the back of a horse. How about a photo of you on horseback in front of the Vestrahorn?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rides last about two hours and take place in a small group of 2 to 4 people. Costs: 20.000 ISK (126 Euro).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately I did not have time to go riding here. But instead I had the pleasure to tolt over the black beach in V\u00edk. Read here why you should ride an Icelandic horse in Iceland<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Icelandic horses can be found almost everywhere on Iceland, even on the Stokksnes peninsula.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Hiking at the Vestrahorn and on the Stokksnes Headland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several hiking trails on the Stokksnes peninsula and the Vestrahorn. These are shown on the information leaflet that you will receive with your ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n