Hjörleifshöfði
Hjörleifshöfði is a 221 m inselberg rising from the black-sand plain of Mýrdalssandur about 15 km east of Vík in South Iceland. Visitors climb the grassy top for wide views over the sands and coast, while at its base sits the much-photographed Yoda Cave (Gígjagjá), whose entrance is said to resemble the silhouette of the Star Wars character.
Region
South Iceland
Coordinates
63.4167° N, 18.7667° W
Plan the stop
- Who it suits
- 6+
- The cave at the base is easy for all ages; the climb to the top suits active children and up who can manage a steep sandy path.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair · Limited
- The cave at the base is reached over soft sand; the climb to the top has no accessible route.
- Limited mobility · Limited
- Walking on soft black sand to the cave is tiring, and the summit path is steep and uneven.
- Sensory · Partial
- An open, often windy site with blowing sand; the cave itself is sheltered.
- Cognitive · Partial
- The cave is easy to find; the hill routes are less marked and need some navigation.
Why it matters
The headland is named after Hjörleifur Hróðmarsson, sworn brother of Iceland's first settler Ingólfur Arnarson, who according to the Landnámabók settled here in the late 9th century and was killed by his slaves. A farm stood on top until it was finally abandoned after Katla eruptions and shifting sands; the area around the cave served as a filming location for the 2016 film Rogue One.