Hjörleifshöfði - The first settlers of Iceland
We walk to the top of Hjörleifshöfdi, a huge rock or an island on dry land, towering approximately 220 meters high above the black sand by the coastline at Mýrdalssandur some 20 km east of the village Vík. The history of Hjörleifshöfði goes back to the days of the settlement of Iceland some 1200 years ago, it is story is about brotherhood, slavery and revenge.
Hjörleifshöfdi is a huge rock or an island on dry land, towering approximately 220 meters high above the black sand by the coastline at Mýrdalssandur some 20 km east of the village Vík.
The history of Hjörleifshöfði goes back to the days of the settlement of Iceland some 1200 years ago, it is a story about brotherhood, slavery and revenge. We walk to the burial mound on top of Hjörleifshöfði, some 200 meters above sea-level. From there is a great view to the Atlantic Ocean, the black sands that are being turned green and lush by the Alaskan lupine imported from Alaska. You will also see the glacier that covers the volcano Katla.
At the top of the mountain we take a coffee-break and discuss when and why the Norse moved to this island in the west, that is now called Iceland. We also talk about how the volcano Katla has reshaped the land and affected the livelihood of the inhabitants during various eruptions. We hear stories about the time when my uncle as a boy collected driftwood along the coast and looked after the sheep grazing the green slopes of Hjörleifshöfdi.
Schedule:
4 p.m. (16:00 hours).
Duration: 4-5 hours
Place:
Kötlusetur
Vík, Mýrdalur
Iceland
We use car-sharing for getting from Vik to Hjörleifshöfdi, and back. It is about 25 minutes’ drive.
Price: 60 Euro, including snack ( children age 0-11 free, teenager age 11-18 1/2 price)
Max participants: 10, minimum 4 full paying adults