About Hvítserkur
Hvítserkur stands on the shore of Húnafjörður, the bay that separates the Vatnsnes peninsula from the Skagafjörður region to the east. The stack is formed from basalt and takes its name from the Icelandic for "white shirt," a reference to the bird droppings that coat the rock. It stands roughly 15 metres tall and is one of the more photographed natural formations in northwest Iceland, known for the silhouette it makes against the bay, particularly at low tide when it is possible to walk closer to the base.
The shape of the stack is the subject of some debate. From certain angles it resembles a rhinoceros drinking from the water, from others an elephant or a dinosaur. The rock has been reinforced with concrete at its base to slow the erosion caused by wave action.
Folklore describes Hvítserkur as a troll that was turned to stone by sunlight while attempting to destroy the bells of a monastery. The story follows a pattern common to several basalt formations around Iceland, where distinctive shapes are explained through troll mythology.
Getting to Hvítserkur
Hvítserkur is located on the eastern side of the Vatnsnes peninsula, reached via a gravel road that branches off Route 711. The detour from the Ring Road takes around 30 minutes each way. A small car park sits at the top of the cliff, with a path leading down to the viewpoint above the stack. At low tide it is possible to descend further to the shore level, though the path is steep in places.
The nearest town is Hvammstangi, around 25 kilometres south on the peninsula, which has accommodation, a petrol station, and the Icelandic Seal Center. Hvítserkur is roughly two and a half hours north of Reykjavík and about an hour and a half west of Akureyri along the Ring Road.
Wildlife
The shoreline around Hvítserkur and along the Vatnsnes peninsula is one of the more reliable places in Iceland to see harbour seals. They are present year-round and are often visible from the viewpoint above the stack, resting on the rocks below or swimming in the bay. The peninsula as a whole has a well-established seal-watching reputation and the Icelandic Seal Center in Hvammstangi provides information on the local population and viewing spots.
