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Dverghamrar (Dwarf Rocks)

Near KirkjubæjarklausturBasalt columnsFree entryOpen all year
Written by locals at Iceland Travel Guide · Checked by Heiða · Updated October 2026
Dverghamrar
Dverghamrar
DVERGHAMRAR IN SHORT

Dverghamrar (“Dwarf Rocks”) are two small cliffs of hexagonal basalt columns right beside the Ring Road in South Iceland, just east of the Foss á Síðu waterfall and east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Entry is free, there is a place to park, and most people stop for 15–30 minutes. They are a protected natural monument.

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Quick factsHistoryGetting thereWhat to seeBest time to visitSafety tipsFacilitiesMapNearbyWhere to stayFAQ

About Dverghamrar

Dverghamrar is a horseshoe-shaped set of rock faces where the basalt has cooled into tall, six-sided columns. The lower parts are regular and neat, while the layers above look more broken and uneven. Moss and grass cover the top and the ground around, so the dark stone stands out against the green.

It is an easy stop on the drive along the South Coast. You can walk around the base, look at the columns close up, and climb the slope beside the rocks for a view over the flat, black outwash plains and, on clear days, towards the glaciers of Vatnajökull. Early or late in the day, low light gives the best colour and shadow.

Quick facts

TypeColumnar basalt cliffs, protected natural monument
RegionSouth Iceland, beside the Ring Road
LocationJust east of Foss á Síðu, east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur
GPS63.84924, -17.86109
EntryFree
ParkingFree parking next to the rocks
Opening hoursOpen all year
Time needed15–30 minutes
FacilitiesNone on site

An elf home where the dwarves sing

In Icelandic folklore, dwarves and other hidden people live in rocks like these, and Dverghamrar is treated with respect as one of their homes. Iceland has many places with stories of elves, but few are linked with dwarves in this way. The best known story dates from 1904. Ólafía, a young daughter of Páll and Margrét Ólafsdóttir at the farm Foss, was driving sheep past the rocks when she heard someone singing a hymn. She looked for the singer and found nobody, and local people concluded that the dwarves had been singing. Some also like to say that the dwarves or hidden people built the rock walls themselves.

Geologists explain the shape differently. Columnar basalt forms when a lava flow cools and contracts, and the cracks spread through the rock and leave six-sided columns. The cliffs were probably shaped by waves when sea level was higher at the end of the last Ice Age.

How to get to Dverghamrar

By carDverghamrar sits beside the Ring Road (Route 1), a little east of the Foss á Síðu waterfall and roughly 12 km east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Look for the parking spot next to the rocks.
On a guided tourSome South Coast tours that continue past Vík to Skaftafell or Jökulsárlón pass close by, but few stop here. A private tour lets you add it.
By public transportRing Road buses pass the area, but they do not stop at Dverghamrar. A car is the practical option.

The Ring Road is paved and open all year, but it can be icy and very windy in winter. Check umferdin.is and vedur.is before driving.

What to look for at Dverghamrar

The site is small, and a short loop on the worn path takes you past everything. Information boards at the stop explain the geology and tell more of the folklore.

The two main cliffsTwo rock faces of tall hexagonal columns stand side by side and form a small horseshoe-shaped hollow. Walk in between them to see the columns close up.
The top layerAbove the neat columns the rock is broken into small, irregular blocks. Geologists call this hackly jointed or cube-jointed lava (kubbaberg in Icelandic). You see it best from the slope beside the rocks.
EiríkslundurNext to the two larger cliffs stands a smaller formation where the columns lean and droop, beside a narrow cove called Eiríkslundur.
Foss á Síðu in the frameStand in front of the rocks and you see the Foss á Síðu waterfall in the gap between the two formations. It is the photo most people take home.
The view eastFrom the rise beside the rocks you look out over the black sands. On a clear day the view reaches towards Skeiðarársandur and the glacier tongues of Vatnajökull on the way to Skaftafell.

Morning and evening light in summer brings out the colour of the rock and the green around it, and sunset here can be very good.

Best time to visit Dverghamrar

Summer (May–September)Green moss and grass on top of the dark columns, and long evening light for photos.
Winter (October–April)Snow and ice on the slope make it slippery. Enjoy the view from the car park if it is icy, and check daylight hours.

Safety and practical tips

  • Stay off the columns and do not break off pieces. The site is a protected natural monument.
  • Take care when parking, since the site is right beside the Ring Road.
  • The grass and moss are fragile. Keep to the worn paths and do not walk over the moss.
  • Pair it with the Foss á Síðu waterfall, which is only a short drive away.
  • There are no toilets here, so use the ones in Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Facilities and accessibility

There are no facilities at Dverghamrar. The nearest fuel, food and toilets are in Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

On the map

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Nearby places worth a stop

Foss á SíðuFoss á SíðuWaterfall beside the Ring Road, just to the westKirkjubæjarklausturKirkjubæjarklausturThe nearest village, with food and fuelKirkjugólfKirkjugólfA basalt pavement by the villageFjaðrárgljúfurFjaðrárgljúfurWinding green canyonSkaftafellSkaftafellHiking area and Svartifoss, further east

Where to stay near Dverghamrar

Kirkjubæjarklaustur has hotels, guesthouses, cottages and a campsite, and there are farm stays along the Ring Road nearby.

Dverghamrar FAQ

What does Dverghamrar mean?

“Dwarf Rocks” in Icelandic. Folklore says dwarves live in the rocks.

Is there an entrance fee?

No. It is free to visit and parking is free.

How long do I need at Dverghamrar?

About 15–30 minutes, longer if you climb up for the view.

Where is Dverghamrar?

Beside the Ring Road just east of Foss á Síðu waterfall and east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur in South Iceland.

Are the rocks protected?

Yes, they are a protected natural monument, so please do not climb on the columns or damage the moss.

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