Eystrahorn Mountain
About Eystrahorn Mountain
Eystrahorn is a 756-meter mountain on the Hvalnes peninsula in Southeast Iceland, rising almost straight out of the sea about 50 km by road east of Höfn. Its jagged ridges and long scree slopes sit right beside Route 1, so you see it up close without leaving the highway.
The name means the eastern horn, and it mirrors Vestrahorn, the western horn, across the bay of Lón. Between the two mountains lies a long sand beach backed by two lagoons, Papafjörður and Lónsfjörður. Older maps also call the mountain Hvalneshorn or Austurhorn.
Eystrahorn is built mostly of gabbro and rhyolite, rock that cooled slowly underground and was later exposed by erosion, which is why its peaks look so sharp and its slopes so loose. Traces of metals, including silver and gold, have been found in the mountain.
The best views come from the gravel spit at Hvalnes, by the orange lighthouse, and from the pull-offs along Route 1 as it curves around the mountain's base. There is no marked trail to the summit, and the steep scree is not a place to scramble. Most visitors spend 20 to 40 minutes taking photos, longer if the light is good.
Compared with Vestrahorn, Eystrahorn gets far fewer visitors, and you don't need to leave the main road to photograph it. Fall and winter bring low, warm light and a chance of northern lights over the peaks, but strong wind is common on this stretch of coast at any time of year.
Good to know
Where is Eystrahorn?
Eystrahorn is on the Hvalnes peninsula in Southeast Iceland, beside Route 1 about 50 km by road east of Höfn. The drive from Höfn takes about 45 minutes.
How tall is Eystrahorn?
Eystrahorn is 756 meters high. It rises almost directly from the shore, so it looks taller than its height suggests.
What is the difference between Eystrahorn and Vestrahorn?
They are two jagged mountains on either side of the Lón bay. Vestrahorn, the western horn, is near Höfn and is more famous with photographers, while Eystrahorn, the eastern horn, stands farther east beside Route 1 and sees fewer visitors.
Can you hike Eystrahorn?
There is no marked hiking trail to the summit, and the slopes are steep, loose scree. Enjoy it from the Hvalnes spit or the roadside pull-offs instead.
Where is the best place to photograph Eystrahorn?
The gravel spit by Hvalnes Lighthouse gives the classic view with the beach and lagoon in front. Pull-offs along Route 1 as it wraps around the mountain show its sharp ridges from other angles.
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