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Hálsanefshellir Cave

Caves

Hálsanefshellir Cave

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Hálsanefshellir Cave

Recommended by 69 hikers out of 75

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Location: Mýrdalshreppur, Iceland

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Best Hikes to Hálsanefshellir Cave

4.7

(99)

433

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1. Reynisfjara Basalt Columns – Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks loop from Vik

8.64km

02:53

400m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.8

(17)

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2. Reynisfjara Basalt Columns – Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks loop from Vik

13.4km

04:12

450m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

5.0

(7)

hikers

3. Reynisfjara Basalt Columns – Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks loop from Vik

6.18km

02:00

240m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Sasha Taylor

April 21, 2023

Hálsanefshellir Cave is a huge sea cave located at the beach close to the small town Vík. The cave is exceptional because of octagonal basalt pillars at the cave entrance. The vertical columns are quite similar to Fingal's Cave on Staffa Island. And the beach in front is the famous Reynisfjara black beach, which consists of the eroded black basalt.

There are actually two sea caves at the beach looking quite similar. Even some websites mix them up. Hálsanefshellir has the pillars on the right, the other cave on the left side of the entrance.

The beach is named after the mountain above, the Reynisdrangar (Three Trolls). It is formed by three huge basalt flows which look like an irregular stack. According to legend, there were three trolls who tried to pull a ship to shore, but took so long they were caught by the sunrise and turned into the three spiky rocks you see today. The mountain has various spots consisting of basalt pillars.

The beach is not only famous, it is also infamous, because it is one of the two beaches on Iceland with dangerous undercurrent.

Source: Showcaves.com

MrIdea

July 22, 2023

There are several coves/mini caves on the beach. The beach is black and great. But beware of the surf. You have the opportunity to see many seabirds.

Translated by Google •

Manuela

August 10, 2023

Impressive and unbelievably worth seeing.

Translated by Google •

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Details

Informations

Elevation 0 m

Weather

Today

Monday 5 January

-3°C

-7°C

14 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

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See hikes here

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Location: Mýrdalshreppur, Iceland

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Hálsanefshellir Cave

1. Reynisfjara Basalt Columns – Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks loop from Vik

2. Reynisfjara Basalt Columns – Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks loop from Vik

3. Reynisfjara Basalt Columns – Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks loop from Vik

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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