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Elephant Rock (Halldórsskora)

Discover

Places to see

Natural Monuments

Iceland

Elephant Rock (Halldórsskora)

Highlight • Natural Monument

Elephant Rock (Halldórsskora)

Name: Elephant Rock (Halldórsskora)
Rating: 2

Recommended by 47 hikers

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Location: Iceland

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Best Hikes to Elephant Rock (Halldórsskora)

4.8

(46)

187

hikers

1. Puffin Lookout – View of the Cliffs of Heimaey loop from Vestmannaeyjabær

16.3km

04:27

230m

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

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Intermediate

4.7

(16)

hikers

2. View from Eldfell Crater – View from Eldfell Crater Edge loop from Vestmannaeyjabær

10.5km

03:12

220m

Expert hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

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Expert

4.0

(3)

hikers

3. Elephant Rock (Halldórsskora) – Ofanleiti Hamar Cliffs loop from Vestmannaeyjabær

6.92km

01:54

110m

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

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Easy

Tips

Sasha Taylor

May 3, 2023

Elephant Rock is a natural rock formation on the island of Heimaey, in the Westman Islands archipelago. It is made of basalt rock formed in a volcanic eruption of Eldfell.

The Elephant Rock fascinates visitors because it resembles the head of a giant elephant which has submerged half its trunk underwater, as if attempting to quench its thirst with the Atlantic Ocean.

Many have also pointed out the rock's resemblance to H.P. Lovecraft's cosmic daemon Cthulhu, a monstrous sea creature with the face of an octopus. The likeness is complete with a cleft in the rock where the Lovecraftian creature's eyes would be, and the resulting shadow bestows an eerie and lifelike quality upon its face.

Fundamental to the rock's realistic appearance is the fact that it's entirely made from basalt; this makes the "skin" of the creature appear wrinkled.

The Elephant Rock is believed to have been formed during one of Mt. Eldfell's many eruptions. The most recent of these was Eldfell's 1973 eruption, which resulted in the evacuation of Heimaey's entire population, although the Rock itself is much older.

Sander

July 13, 2025

If you have time to spare and take the ferry, feel free to relax here... .

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Details

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Elevation 10 m

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Friday 7 November

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Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

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See hikes here

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Location: Iceland

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Lava Field and Buried Houses, Heimaey

Raeningjatangi (Pirate Cove)

Heimaey Stave Church

Statue of Ási í Bæ

Ofanleiti Hamar Cliffs

Puffin Cliffs

View from Eldfell Crater

Traditional Icelandic Turf Houses

Crater Rim of Eldfell Volcano

Helgafell Volcano

View from the Ridge

Icelandic Mormon Memorial

Elephant Rock (Halldórsskora)

1. Puffin Lookout – View of the Cliffs of Heimaey loop from Vestmannaeyjabær

2. View from Eldfell Crater – View from Eldfell Crater Edge loop from Vestmannaeyjabær

3. Elephant Rock (Halldórsskora) – Ofanleiti Hamar Cliffs loop from Vestmannaeyjabær

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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