I was out early this morning to see what this corner of Iceland has to offer ~ I was not disappointed ...
Stokksnes Peninsula
A 20Km
drive east from Höfn is the Stokksnes Peninsula.
I have
wandered on many beaches in my life, some have been good, others great, while a
few are what I would describe as truly fantastic, but the one on the Stokksnes Peninsula
is not just any beach, it is a hidden treasure surrounded by mountains, black
sand shores, and perfect cinematic views. A location of stunning natural
beauty, in the commanding presence of Vestrahorn Mountain together with the
famous Brunnhorn Mountain.
Vestrahorn’s
rugged peaks and slopes are a direct result of Iceland’s volcanic activity
millions of years ago. Towering at 454m, it is renowned for its dominating
silhouette and geological significance. Composed primarily of gabbro, a dark,
coarse-grained volcanic rock rich in iron and magnesium.
Brunnhorn,
affectionately dubbed "Batman Mountain" due to its recognizable
shape, resembling the silhouette of a bat. This mountain features three
prominent peaks that rise dramatically from the surrounding landscape, making
it a perfect location for photographs.
The Viking
Village Film Set
Originally
built for a film project that was never completed. It has since then been used
in several productions, including the Netflix series The Witcher: Blood Origin.
Though
fictional in origin, the village with its weathered wooden structures and
turfed roofs, reflects how Viking-era buildings may have looked along Iceland’s
southern coast in the early centuries of settlement.
Skútafoss Trail
Just 21Km
north east from Höfn is the wonderful Skútafoss trail that follows the Þorgeirsstaðaá
River in the Þorgeirsstaðadalur valley. The surrounding scenery was very
similar to parts of Scotland that I know very well, and even had the occasional
whiff of “Sheep Shit” ~ try saying that a really fast a few times ~ which is always
excitable to a Highland Wanderer.
I followed
the trail all the way up the river passing by a number of waterfalls, before
eventually arriving at the 6m high Skútafoss (waterfall) and the adjacent cave.
The smell of "Sheep Shit" in the Þorgeirsstaðadalur valley ~ a few pics of what as often been referred to as a Scotsman's best friend ...
Höfn
The small fishing town of Höfn is situated on a
peninsula in the south east of Iceland. The name Höfn, pronounced Hupo-n, means
harbour. For me it is reminiscent of similar Scottish Highland villages which
are surrounded on three sides by the sea, with beaches and long shorelines. With
a population of about 1800, the town’s two main industries are tourism and
fishing, the latter of which is divided into both sea fishing and factory
processing.
Photos taken from and within Höfn ...
Random pics from today north of Höfn ...
At times today the sky looked interesting ...
