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Fulmarus glacialis near Hvítserkur Sea Stack, Northwestern Region, Iceland, 20240715 1130 1101📷 Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0

Hvítserkur

Hvammstangi, Iceland

Views

A basalt sea stack off the coast of the Vatnsnes peninsula, shaped like a drinking animal and home to nesting seabirds. A gravel road leads to the viewing platform; go at low tide for the best view of its base.

Hvítserkur is a rock stack about 15 metres high on the coast of the Vatnsnes peninsula in north-west Iceland. Two openings at its base make it look like a dragon drinking. The rock is an ignimbrite from the early Miocene, deposited some 12 to 13 million years ago, and is among the oldest well-preserved silicic volcanic products in Iceland. Legend sees in it a petrified troll caught by the sunlight as he tried to destroy the Þingeyrar monastery.

In the middle of the 20th century, farmers reinforced the base with concrete so that the sea would not undercut the rock. The site is very popular and, as there are no marked paths, bird nesting sites and seal haul-outs have often been trampled. Stay on existing paths, keep your distance from animals and allow about half an hour for the visit. The approach is along gravel roads on the peninsula.

Nearest town
Hvammstangi, Iceland
Category
Scenic viewpoints
GPS
65.6071, -20.6215

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Getting there

  • Iceland: No motorway tolls for cars. Many roads are gravel; F-roads need a 4×4. Motorway limit for cars: 90 km/h.

Sources

Nearby

Hraunfossar Section© Eric Kilby · CC BY-SA 2.0
Nature

Hraunfossar

Húsafell, Iceland
Gerðuberg Basalt Collumns in Iceland© Geri340 · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Gerðuberg

Borgarnes, Iceland
Akureyri, Iceland 20150505 175850© dconvertini · CC BY-SA 2.0
History

Akureyri

Akureyri, Iceland
Dynjandi Iceland© Boaworm · CC BY-SA 3.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Dynjandi

Arnarfjörður, Iceland

Campsites nearby

All campsites in Iceland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Hvítserkur?

Hvítserkur is in Hvammstangi, Iceland, at GPS 65.6071, -20.6215. It is about 114 km from Stykkishólmur.

Can you camp near Hvítserkur?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Tjaldsvæðið við Hnjúkabyggð Blönduósi, about 16 km away; within 25 km there are 3 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

What is there to see near Hvítserkur?

Places worth a stop nearby: Hraunfossar (102 km), Gerðuberg (116 km), Akureyri (116 km) and Dynjandi (119 km).

When is the best time to visit Hvítserkur?

Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)