⛰️ Hafursey Mountain
🗺️ How to Get There:
To reach Hafursey, take Road 1 east of Vík, then turn north onto the gravel track used for the Katla Ice Cave tours, near Hjörleifshöfði. Follow the rough trail that heads inland through the Mýrdalssandur black sand desert.

The track weaves across open sands and eventually leads toward Hafursey, a massive and unusually green mountain that stands alone in the vast desert plain. This route partially overlaps with access trails used by super jeeps heading to the Katla ice cave but you can take some side trails that goes behind the mountain, recommended for the best views and to not get in trouble with tours operators driving to Katla Ice Cave. 4×4 required. Expect soft sand and no signage, never drive off-road!

📅 Best Time of the Year to Visit:
Late June through early September. After rain, the moss covering the mountain glows even more vividly. Clear days offer the best views and compositions, but even in fog, the landscape feels otherworldly.

📸 Photography Tips

Best time of day:

• Golden hour casts long shadows over the black sand

• Midday works well for drone shots with shadow textures

• Overcast gives the moss and rock contrast a sci-fi feel

Recommended gear:

• Drone works great to capture the mountain’s isolated shape

• Wide-angle lens for foreground desert textures and scale

• Telephoto to isolate layers of green and black against each other

Composition ideas:

• Frame the green peak rising from the black sand for contrast

• Use textures in the sand as leading lines

• Aerial drone shots highlight abstract textures and erosion lines

• Compose with cloud layers behind the mountain to enhance mood