An arch boats pass under
Cut by the sea over thousands of years through volcanic rock.
Helgi Thorsteinsson — CC BY 2.5 dk · NOTE: This image is a panorama consisting of multiple frames that were merged or stitched in Panorama Studio. As a result, this image necessarily underwent some form of digital manipulation. These man — CC BY-SA 3.0 · NOTE: This image is a panorama consisting of multiple frames that were merged or stitched in Panorama Studio. As a result, this image necessarily underwent some form of digital manipulation. These man — CC BY-SA 3.0 · NOTE: This image is a panorama consisting of multiple frames that were merged or stitched in Panorama Studio. As a result, this image necessarily underwent some form of digital manipulation. These man — CC BY-SA 3.0
A volcanic promontory jutting into the ocean at the southernmost point of mainland Iceland, best known for a massive natural rock arch that small boats can pass beneath. The name means literally the hill with the door hole, an exact description: the sea cut the arch over thousands of years through rock formed by an underwater eruption. From the top the view runs along the black beaches west and east towards the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, with a lighthouse standing on the summit. On clear days the Mýrdalsjökull glacier is visible inland. The site is among the most important bird nesting places in southern Iceland, and in summer puffins can be seen on the cliffs. Decisive practical points: the promontory closes entirely during the nesting season in parts of May and June to protect the birds — check before going. The road climbing to the summit is rough and needs a vehicle with reasonable clearance; a lower car park is easier to reach. The wind here is among the strongest in Iceland, and the edges are high and unsecured.
Cut by the sea over thousands of years through volcanic rock.
Among the south's key nesting sites — and the reason for the seasonal closure.
From the summit you see the black beaches and the Reynisdrangar stacks.
Near Vík, southernmost Iceland
Roughly from late April to early August, when the birds come ashore to nest. But that overlaps with the closure period protecting them, so check the situation before going. Outside that season puffins live on the open sea and are not seen on the cliffs at all.
The wind here is exceptional even by Icelandic standards and can knock a person off their feet. Stay well back from edges, and mind car doors — the wind tears them off. The beach below has the same sneaker waves as Reynisfjara; do not approach the water's edge there.
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