Black beach with massive tufts of grass and beautiful views of the Vestrahorn mountains – that is Stokksnes. A beautiful peninsula near the town of Höfn and, one might say, the Mecca of Icelandic photographers. It is here that the charismatic photos, which you may recognize from countless brochures, are taken. While you’re there, you can also visit an abandoned Viking village nearby.
If you are coming from the west – from the town of Höfn, you will find the turnoff to Stokksnes beach right before the entrance to the tunnel at this location (GPS: 64.283544, -15.050664). Then drive about 3 kilometers on a gravel road. You will reach a parking lot. In the local café, you can pay the entrance fee to the area, which is 800 ISK/person, have a coffee, or stay at the local campsite.
Option no. 2 is to go through the tunnel and turn towards the sea at this location (GPS: 64.303902, -14.999481). Then continue along the gravel road to the parking lot at its end. From there, you can walk to Stokksnes beach, either bravely over the mountain pass or less daringly but still quite interestingly along the coast. You will always have beautiful views of the Vestrahorn cliffs. The hike will take about 3 hours, and there are no toll gates in this direction.
