Stokksnes: A Paradise for Nature Enthusiasts

Stokksnes

blog authorBy Johanna Sigurðardóttir shield verificationVerified Expert

    Few things embody Iceland as well as Stokksnes. This peninsula at the end of the coast has history, nature, and an insanely long beach. This absolute fairy tale landscape is perfect for every visitor to Iceland, and in this article, we give you all the reasons why you should book it on your next Iceland holiday.

    Introduction to Stokksnes

    If you’ve driven around Ring Road 1, chances are that you have missed this peninsula without knowing it. It’s a bit off the beaten path, and despite the breathtaking scenery, it doesn’t attract the attention it deserves. If you get the chance, we strongly urge you to make a quick detour from the main road and experience a slice of history and stunning nature at Stokksnes.

    Where it Is and How to Get There

    This peninsula sits at the very end of the Icelandic South Coast, just off Ring Road 1. You can get there one of two ways: drive yourself or go on a tour. The tours are few and far between, and pretty much all of them either go from Reykjavik or one of the nearby towns. Regardless, a tour is not likely to get you the time you want at a place like this.

    If you drive yourself, sticking to Ring Road 1 will eventually get you close to Stokksnes Peninsula. If you drive from Reykjavik, the smart way is to get on Ring Road 1 and head east for about 460 kilometers until you pass Höfn. If you would rather drive over 800 kilometers via Akureyri, this stretch would take roughly 10 hours.

    A few kilometers after the little town, you’ll see a tunnel coming up. A little before that tunnel, you’ll see a gravel road branching off to the right with a clear blue sign with “Stokksnes” written on it. About 4.5 kilometers in, you’ll find the Viking Café, which is the base of operation for Stokksnes Peninsula. This entire route will take just over 6 hours without any long stops along the way.

    stokksnes

    Culture and History of Stokksnes

    The only thing surpassing the beauty of Stokksnes in Iceland is its history. From the early days of the Vikings to the modern days of movies of Vikings, Stokksnes has it all.

    Vikings and Where to Find Them

    In the early settlement era of Iceland, Stokksnes Beach was one of the first places the Iceland Vikings came ashore. The farm, “Horn,” was established by Hrollaugur, son of a Norwegian earl, which gave the name to the surrounding area.

    The H3 Radar Site

    As Iceland started to support the Allies in WWII, a military base was established on the Stokksnes Peninsula. After the war, NATO built a radar station on the old army base with the intent to keep a watchful eye on the movement of the Soviets in the area. As the Cold War ended, the radar station was taken over by the Icelandic government for general monitoring and control of the air traffic. 

    On the Big Screen

    Just like Stokksnes was attractive to the adventurous Vikings, the area has caught the eye of some international movies. The fantasy romance movie Stardust and the Bollywood rom-com action movie Dilwale had some scenes filmed here. 

    There is even a replica of a Viking village constructed on the grounds. Sadly, the movie that the replica was built for never came into production. Luckily for us, the village is still there and maintained by the owner of the land, so you can truly step on a movie set and feel the Viking presence.

    stokksnes peninsula

    Stokksnes Otherworldly Nature

    Iceland is renowned for its stunning nature. The Iceland national parks stand as a testament to how passionate the country is about its nature. Stokksnes is a prime example of just how beautiful and mind-blowing the contrast of Icelandic nature can be.

    Vestrahorn Mountain

    The absolute star of the area is the Stokksnes Mountains. With a couple of jagged peaks and cliffs sticking out, seemingly challenging the raw power of the North Atlantic, Vestrahorn is awe-striking to explore.

    It is recommended to keep on the trails around the mountain since the area is known for having rugged terrain. Going off-path and exploring Vestrahorn might not end in a very happy afternoon.

    Stokksnes Beach

    Despite the alluring name, this is not one of the beaches you want to swim in. The long and beautiful black sand beaches around Stokksnes are simply breathtaking, but the currents are strong and can sweep you out to sea if you don’t know the waters well.

    The beach to the west of the peninsula is almost 10 kilometers long and would get you somewhat close to Höfn. The beach on the eastern side of Stokksnes is much shorter and more beautiful – better suited for photography and hikes.

    stokksnes beach

    Hiking in the Area

    What is a holiday here without a good hike? Hiking in Iceland is practically a must, and Stokksnes is one of those rare spots that has everything you need. Stokksnes offers light-to-moderate hiking trails that can work for most family members, a cozy café, and a cool Viking village.

    Just ensure you dress according to the weather so you don’t end up a wet mess halfway through. There are some boggy areas and small streams to cross, so waterproof boots are crucial to a comfortable experience.

    Photography

    There are plenty of hot tips and tricks for getting the best photo of something, but at Stokksnes, you don’t have to put too much effort into getting a stunning image. Photographing in Iceland is very forgiving for non-professionals, and Stokksnes is anything but an exception.

    One hot tip we can give is to come in the late summer when the grass has turned golden. A picture of the pitch-black sand dunes lined with golden grass is one of the photos you can take that will impress pretty much anybody. Capture the mighty mountain in the background for extra points.

    Visiting Stokksnes – a Short Guide

    Iceland, like the other Nordic countries, has a law that allows people the right to roam on uncultivated and unfenced land. With this said, the law also states that the interests of the landowners need to be respected.

    Why is this important? It’s important because you are legally allowed to walk around Stokksnes without paying a fee. However, it’s in the landowner’s interest to keep the area in good shape and ensure it is environmentally sustainable. Therefore, since the land is private and the owner has decided to charge a fee for visitors, we recommend paying that fee and not starting a legal battle with the owner of the land over the equivalent of $7 per person.

    stokksnes mountains

    Viking Café and Guesthouse

    The owner of the land runs a small café called the Viking Café. Here, you can get all the usual café items like pastries, cakes, coffee, and tea, alongside some lunch items like paninis, sodas, and even beer! This is also where you pay the entry fee to access the grounds.

    Entrance Fee

    To access the area around Vestrahorn, you must buy a 1,000 ISK admission ticket. This can be bought at the café or the self-service kiosk outside the café. A ticket allows you to visit the entire area without restrictions. However, those who are 16 and under will get in for free.

    On-site Accommodation

    The café also runs a guesthouse that you can stay at, as well as camping grounds for the outdoorsy type. Accommodation is a bit pricy, but breakfast and an admission ticket are included.

    The price per night per room starts at $200, which equates to about 28,000 ISK.

    Staying at the campground costs 2,500 ISK per person per night, equating to roughly $18. You will have access to toilets, cold and hot water, cooking facilities, dishwashing facilities, and showers. For an additional 1,000 ISK ($7), you can also get hooked up to electricity.

    Lighthouse and Radar Station

    At the tip of the peninsula, you’ll find the majestic beacon of light that keeps the ship from running aground, as well as the radar tower that guides the air traffic to safety. Keep in mind that even though these are fascinating, they are operational, and you need to keep a respectful distance.

    Things to Do Around Stokksnes

    Stokksnes in Iceland is an amazing place, but there’s plenty more to see around the peninsula. Here are some nearby attractions to visit on your holiday:

    • The nearby town of Höfn, with plenty of restaurants, hiking trails, waterfalls, and accommodations.
    • Albeit not “close,” the stunning Jökulsarlón is a mere 85 kilometers west of Stokksnes along Ring Road 1.
    • About 75 kilometers northeast of Stokksnes along Ring Road 1, you’ll run into the breathtaking eastern fjords of Iceland.

    Hofn Iceland

    Where to Stay Around Stokksnes

    If you’d rather not stay on-site in Stokksnes, you can check out these options below:

    • Dynjandi Guesthouse: Closest to Stokksnes, reasonable pricing, and good amenities.
    • Hotel Höfn: A classic hotel with all that comes with it for a slightly higher price than a guesthouse.
    • Aurora Cabins: Cozy cabins at the foot of the mountains, live in either a cabin or an apartment. Fairly pricy, but with a spectacular view.
    • Milk Factory: A former milk factory made into a hotel in Höfn. Same price point as Hotel Höfn, but a more unique stay.

    Visit Stokksnes

    There isn’t much more to know about Stokksnes. It’s more of an experience than a subject to read about, so we would urge anyone close to the area to spend some time and explore the peninsula. If not for the experience, do it for the Stokksnes photos to keep and brag about. Just rent a campervan in Iceland and start your adventure!



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