Teigarhorn
About Teigarhorn
Teigarhorn is a protected farm and nature reserve on the shore of Berufjörður in East Iceland, about 5 kilometers from the village of Djúpivogur. It is one of the best-known places in the world for zeolites, the delicate, often white crystals that form inside cavities in old basalt lava, and part of the land has been a protected natural monument since 1975.
The zeolites here include scolecite, stilbite, epistilbite, analcime and heulandite, and you can see fine examples in a small exhibition at the farm. Taking any stones away without a permit is prohibited, so look but leave them where they lie. The whole country park covers about 20 square kilometers along the fjord.
Teigarhorn also holds a place in Iceland's history books. Meteorological observations have run here since 1881, and on June 22, 1939, the station recorded 30.5°C, still the highest temperature ever measured in Iceland. The old Weywadt house, built in 1880–1882, is in the care of the National Museum, and Nicoline Weywadt, the first Icelandic woman to study photography, ran her studio in its annex.
Coming from the north on the Ring Road, the turnoff to Teigarhorn is about 3 kilometers before the Djúpivogur exit, and visitor parking is next to the farm buildings. Marked walking trails cross the reserve, and in summer a ranger gives talks on eider ducks in the old eiderdown shed. Cars are not allowed inside the natural monument itself.
Summer is the best time to visit Teigarhorn, when the ranger talks run and the shoreline trails are free of snow. Plan an hour or two, and pair it with a stop in Djúpivogur or a hike toward Búlandstindur, the pyramid-shaped mountain that rises behind the farm. From Höfn the drive takes about an hour and 45 minutes.
Good to know
Where is Teigarhorn?
Teigarhorn is on the shore of Berufjörður in East Iceland, about 5 kilometers from Djúpivogur. The turnoff is on the Ring Road, roughly 3 kilometers before the Djúpivogur exit when coming from the north.
What is Teigarhorn known for?
Teigarhorn is known worldwide for its zeolites, crystal minerals that form in cavities in basalt. It also holds Iceland's highest recorded temperature, 30.5°C, measured on June 22, 1939.
Can you collect zeolites at Teigarhorn?
No. Removing zeolites or other stones from Teigarhorn without a permit from the environmental authorities is prohibited. You can see good specimens in the small exhibition at the farm instead.
What is the hottest temperature ever recorded in Iceland?
The highest temperature ever measured in Iceland is 30.5°C, recorded at the Teigarhorn weather station on June 22, 1939. Observations have been made there since 1881.
Is there parking at Teigarhorn?
Yes. Visitor parking is next to the farm buildings, and cars are not allowed inside the natural monument itself. There is also a pullout on the road to Eyfreyjunesvík with a view over the area.
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