Wild North: Craters, Canyons, Seals and Sea Stacks of Northwest Iceland
A full-day journey through volcanic landscapes, ancient fortresses, thriving seal colonies, and coastal legends along Iceland's Arctic shore.
This Wild North Iceland day tour traces a sweeping arc through one of the country's least-visited regions, linking twin volcanic craters, a troll-carved canyon, a Viking basalt fortress, and a coastline where seals vastly outnumber people. The route covers roughly 12 hours of travel and exploration, moving from the lava fields of Bifröst all the way to the dramatic rock stack of Hvítserkur on the shores of Húnaflói bay.
Few corners of Iceland reward curiosity as generously as the Vatnsnes peninsula and the surrounding Húnaflói region. The landscape shifts constantly, from mossy crater rims and roaring waterfalls to flat tidal flats where harbour seals haul out in the hundreds, offering close encounters that feel genuinely wild rather than staged.
The itinerary follows a logical geographic arc northward, pausing at sites that range from geological wonders formed thousands of years ago to living folklore still retold by locals today. Each stop adds a distinct layer to the story of this remote and often overlooked part of Iceland.
The pace is deliberately relaxed, allowing time to walk the crater rim at Grábrók, lean over the edge of Kolugljúfur canyon, scan the shoreline for seals at Vatnsnes, and photograph Hvítserkur as the tide shifts around its base. The tour is rated very easy and suits a wide range of fitness levels.
Tour Highlights
Walk the rim of twin craters Grábrók and Grábrókarfell, formed in a fissure eruption roughly 3400 years ago and still dramatically intact.
Stand at the edge of Kolugljúfur, a 2 km canyon up to 25 m deep where the Kolufossar waterfalls plunge into a gorge steeped in troll folklore.
Climb the steps of Borgarvirki, a columnar basalt volcanic plug that served as a Viking military fortress and still commands panoramic views over the region.
Observe one of Iceland's largest seal colonies at Vatnsnes, where harbour seals bask on coastal rocks within surprisingly close range of visitors.
Discover Hvítserkur, a 15-metre basalt sea stack draped in seabird guano whose silhouette changes character with every shift of the tide.
Pass through Hvammstangi, the quiet main town of the Vatnsnes peninsula, set against a backdrop of mountains and calm fjord waters.
Scan Húnaflói bay for Arctic wildlife, an area named after the polar bears that occasionally arrive on ice floes drifting from Greenland.
Itinerary
The journey begins at Bifröst with a walk through two volcanic craters. Grábrók was produced by a fissure eruption approximately 3400 years ago, while the smaller Grábrókarfell is softened by moss and birch cover. The elevated rim delivers an expansive view over the surrounding lava fields.
A canyon stretching 2 km and dropping 20 to 25 metres holds two waterfalls known collectively as Kolufossar. Local legend attributes the canyon to a troll woman named Kola, said to have fished for salmon from a ledge inside the gorge. The view from the canyon rim, looking down at the river breaking into falls, is among the most striking on the route.
Borgarvirki is a natural columnar basalt plug that was shaped by human hands into a defensive stronghold mentioned in the Icelandic sagas. Steps lead to the summit, where a viewfinder helps identify landmarks spread across a wide section of the northwest. The combination of volcanic geology and medieval history makes this one of Iceland's most layered historic sites.
The Vatnsnes coastline fronts the bay of Húnaflói and hosts one of the largest concentrations of harbour seals in Iceland. Visitors can approach the shoreline rocks where seals rest and nurse their young with a degree of closeness rarely possible elsewhere. The peninsula itself is a narrow, largely uninhabited strip of land with uninterrupted views over the bay.
Hvammstangi is the only settlement of any size on the Vatnsnes peninsula, offering a calm contrast to the wild landscapes surrounding it. The town sits against a mountain backdrop with views across the fjord, and its unhurried atmosphere reflects the character of this remote region.
Hvítserkur rises 15 metres from the tidal shallows of Húnaflói, its eroded basalt form covered in the white guano of shags and cormorants that nest in its cavities. Legend holds that it was a troll turned to stone at sunrise while attempting to destroy a nearby monastery. The rock's silhouette shifts in appearance as the tide moves around it, making timing and light critical to the experience.
What Is Included
Included
- Professional guided tour
- Transportation throughout the route
- Entry and access to all listed sites
- Guided commentary at each stop
Not Included
- Meals and beverages
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for the guide
- Any items of a personal nature
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on the Wild North Tour
Spots on this full-day exploration of northwest Iceland are limited. Secure your seat to experience craters, canyons, seals, and sea stacks in one of the country's most rewarding yet rarely visited regions.
Book Now
