Protection Status
Natural Monument
Protected since 1984 under Icelandic natural heritage preservation laws.
Dverghamrar: The Dwarf Rocks near Foss á Síðu
A small basalt column formation with a place in elf folklore, an easy Ring Road stop
Location
South Iceland
Near Foss á Síðu, off Route 1
Dverghamrar, meaning "Dwarf Rocks" or "Dwarf Cliffs," is a small basalt formation just off Route 1 in South Iceland, near the waterfall Foss á Síðu. The site is compact but has a place in both geology and Icelandic folklore: local tradition held that dwarves and elves inhabited the rocks, and the site has been protected as a natural monument since 1984. The formation has hexagonal basalt columns topped by a honeycomb-patterned basalt cap, two distinct expressions of columnar jointing in one easily reached spot.
Sources and last reviewed
Last reviewed: 2026-03-03
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Visit Duration
15–30 min
A quick roadside stop with a short walking path and informational signs.
Distance from Reykjavík
~290 km
Approximately 3.5 hours east on Route 1, between Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Skaftafell.
What to Expect
Hexagonal Basalt Columns
Clusters of upright hexagonal columns stand at the base, displaying the classic columnar jointing pattern formed by slow, even lava cooling.
Honeycomb Basalt Cap
The top of the formation reveals cross-sections of the columns from above, creating a distinctive honeycomb or tiled pattern in the rock surface.
Dwarf and Elf Folklore
According to Icelandic tradition, hidden people (huldufólk) and dwarves made their homes in these rocks, which gave the site its name.
Protected Natural Monument
The formation has been legally protected since 1984 for its geological and cultural value.
Nearby Foss á Síðu
The waterfall Foss á Síðu is visible from the road nearby, a convenient second stop on the Ring Road.
Quick Roadside Access
Located directly off Route 1 with free parking, Dverghamrar requires no hiking and can be explored in under 30 minutes.
Getting There
Dverghamrar is located directly off Route 1 (Ring Road) in South Iceland, approximately 290 km east of Reykjavík. The site sits between the towns of Kirkjubæjarklaustur and the Skaftafell area, near the waterfall Foss á Síðu. A signed parking area is just off the highway. From the car park, a short gravel path leads to the formations in a few minutes. The site is accessible by any vehicle type year-round, though winter conditions may require caution on the Ring Road itself.
Best Time to Visit
Dverghamrar can be visited at any time of year. Summer provides the longest daylight and most pleasant conditions for examining the formations. The site is small enough that even a brief winter stop with limited daylight is worthwhile. Green moss in summer adds color to the dark basalt, while winter brings snow and frost against the dark rock. Since the site is a quick stop rather than a destination hike, the best time to visit is simply whenever you are passing along Route 1 between Vík and Höfn.
Planning help
Dverghamrar FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.