A Trip to the Vatnsnes Peninsula
The first interesting point on a trip in the north is actually located in northwest Iceland: the Vatnsnes Peninsula, located about one hour away from the northern capital, Akureyri. To reach the area, turn off Route 1 onto Road 711, near Osar Hostel.
The peninsula is well known for its seal colonies, which can be spotted at two main locations: along the eastern coast at Osar, and along the western coast at Illugastadir.
The scenery on the peninsula is lovely and pleasant to explore, but keep in mind that this involves a rather tiring drive on a gravel road—while the road is mostly decent, be prepared for a substantial drive. In addition, the seal colonies are located relatively far out from shore, making them difficult to spot without binoculars.
Travelers visiting the peninsula are strongly recommended to visit the Hvítserkur rock formation.
The rock is located near the parking area at Osar, where you will find a short trail leading to a viewpoint overlooking the sea stack and a beautiful black sand beach. The formation features a distinctive shape and rises to a height of 15 meters. Legend has it that the rock was originally a troll who was caught by the morning sun's rays while trying to attack a nearby monastery. Geologists, however, explain that the rock is the remnant of an ancient volcanic plug eroded over centuries by ocean currents and rainfall.
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