7 dramatic natural rock arches in Iceland

Iceland is full of natural wonders in all shapes and sizes, but the impressive rock arches in Iceland were definitely some of my favorite attractions to discover. They are the ultimate reflection of how great of an architect nature really is!

It was only after our three-week road trip around Iceland that I realized just how many natural rock arches are scattered around the country!

In this post, I’ve put together a list of the most dramatic rock arches in Iceland. You’ll find them all with photos, descriptions, and locations on Google Maps, so you can easily include them in your itinerary! Happy exploring!

1. Dyrhólaey Sea Arch

No road trip along the south coast of Iceland is complete without a stop at the massive Dyrhólaey sea arch. This enormous natural arch is one of the most iconic natural wonders in the country, standing tall against the crashing waves of the North Atlantic Ocean!

The sea arch is located at one end of the famous Reynisfjara Beach, making it easy to include in your Iceland road trip itinerary – you’ll probably pass by there anyway. Might as well stop by this location!

There are actually several reasons for visiting Dyrhólaey Peninsula.

One of the main reasons for its popularity is the fact that the sea arch is home to a large colony of puffins, the cutest Icelandic sea birds! Puffins come to nest in the coastal cliffs during the summer season.

Another highlight of this spot is that it overlooks two beautiful black sand beaches stretching to both sides of the peninsula – one is the Reynisfjara Beach and the other is called The Endless Black Beach, or Dyrhólaey Beach.

Getting to the sea arch is very easy, as there is a paved road leading to the very top of the cliff. You should know that during the puffin mating season (May-June), this area has working hours from 9 AM to 7 PM. The birds are not to be disturbed!

If you’re driving the Ring Road in Iceland, do not miss this stop along the way!

Location: Dyrhólaey Sea Arch – Parking lot

2. Arnarstapi Stone Bridge

If you are exploring Western Iceland, you absolutely cannot skip the tiny fishing village of Arnarstapi in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This area is known for its unique natural beauty, including two of the most incredible rock arches in Iceland!

Both of the rock arches are located by the coast, just a short walk from each other, so you can visit both of them at once. Let’s start with my favorite one – the Arnarstapi Stone Bridge.

To get to the stone bridge, we left our car in the parking lot by the harbour, the starting point of the coastal path, and walked for 5 minutes along the walking trail towards the Arnarstapi Lighthouse.

Once you pass the lighthouse, the stone bridge will be the next thing you’ll see (exact location is linked below).

When we visited, it was actually possible to walk across the stone bridge, so I used this opportunity to see this interesting rock formation from a different perspective. It looked stable, and I kept a safe distance from the edges, so it was fine.

These coastal rocks are nesting spots for seabirds, so we saw quite a few of them during our visit (the beginning of June). This area is the perfect place for nature lovers, so I highly recommend stopping by here!

Now, onto the next rock arch!

Location: Arnarstapi Stone Bridge – Parking lot

3. Gatklettur Rock Arch

Just a short hike further along the coastal path from the stone bridge, you’ll find Gatklettur (also known as the Hellnar Arch), one of the most photographed natural wonders on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Iceland!

This spectacular arch is a true masterpiece of volcanic rock erosion – just look at that shape! This is, without a doubt, one of the most unique rock arches in Iceland! Do you see that circle carved inside the volcanic rock?

You can’t climb on this arch as it is located in the water. The best way to get a clear view or photo is from the viewing platform built right on the cliff’s edge next to it. Don’t miss it!

Location: Gatklettur Rock Arch

4. Gatastakkur Sea Arch

Located in North Iceland, far away from civilization, is Rauðanes Point, one of the most remote areas of the country and home to several geological marvels, including two of the most incredible rock arches in Iceland.

One of them is Gatastakkur, a leaning stone arch in the ocean (see exact location below), which stands out with its rounded corners, as if somebody created it out of clay and put it there.

What makes this arch extra special is that you can see the sharp snail-shaped sea stacks, one of the most unique rock formations in Iceland, right through the arch! Such a unique photo opportunity!

However, to get such a photo, you’ll have to hike down the cliff to the beach. While the trail leading down is not difficult at all, the beach will only be accessible at low tide. There’s no way to get down there at high tide or during rough seas.

Getting to Rauðanes Point is a bit of a hassle. It is not located along the classical Ring Road route, so you’ll have to make a detour to Road 85 up to the Rauðanes peninsula and then turn on a gravel road until you reach the Rauðanes Point parking lot.

From the parking lot, it will be a 2-kilometer/1.2-mile hike along the coast until you reach the right location of the rock arch (see exact location below). This area is so remote that we only saw like four people there.

There is an information board and a designated path, so the hike is not difficult at all. Just remember to bring something to drink and eat. You’ll be visiting the middle of nowhere!

Location: Gatastakkur Sea Arch – Parking lot

5. Gluggur Rock Bridge

Before you leave Rauðanes Point, make sure to stop by Gluggur, one of the largest rock arches in Iceland. Gluggur is located along the same coastal trail that leads to Gatastakkur Sea Arch, so it is impossible to miss.

Gluggur translates to ‘the Window’ from Icelandic. It is so huge that it kind of looks more like a portal into another world, huh?

The best part about it? The stone arch is connected to the coastal cliffs, so you can easily cross it. Gluggur is so massive, you won’t even realize you are walking across volcanic rock with nothing but the ocean beneath you!

If you visit this place during the summer months (we came here in June), you’ll also be able to spot different bird species nesting in the cliffs, so this area is the perfect place for nature lovers to escape crowds and enjoy the raw, untouched beauty of North Iceland.

Location: Gluggur Rock Bridge

6. Hvítserkur Rock

Hvítserkur is a 15-meter-tall basalt rock formation standing tall in the ocean just off the coast of Northwest Iceland. This has to be one of the most unique rock formations in Iceland!

Hvítserkur doesn’t resemble a typical stone arch, but the rock certainly has openings, so I think this geological marvel definitely deserves a spot on this list!

Part of the fun of visiting is deciding what you see in the shape. Icelandic folklore says it was a troll turned to stone, but modern travelers call it a dragon, a rhino, or an elephant rock. What do you think? I’m personally torn between a rhino and a wild boar!

Getting there is a bit of a journey. You’ll have to endure a 25-kilometer/15-mile drive on a gravel road each way! But that is exactly what West Iceland and the North are all about – visiting remote, wild, and untouched unique landscapes. Just take your time and enjoy!

There is a viewing platform on the cliff where you can enjoy panoramic views of the ocean and Hvítserkur from above. However, there is a path leading down the cliff to the beach, if you wish to see it from sea level.

Location: Hvitserkur – Parking lot

7. Arctic Henge

Okay, this is a bit different! Unlike the other stone arches on this list, the Arctic Henge is a man-made stone monument inspired by Icelandic folklore and the poem Völuspá.

If you want to feel like you’ve reached the very edge of the world, a trip to the Arctic Henge (Heimskautsgerðið) is an absolute must! This site is located in the remote village of Raufarhöfn, one of the northernmost settlements in the country, right next to the Arctic Circle.

This unique structure is designed as a giant sundial, with four 6-meter-high/20-feet-high gates. When we visited, this monument was still under construction (there will be more monuments around it).

However, all the arches are there, and it is a unique photo spot, especially around sunset, which might actually be the best time to come here!

Because it is so isolated, it hasn’t become a popular destination like the sites in South Iceland. If you happen to be in this area, especially if you are driving to the Rauðanes point, I really recommend stopping by this place.

Location: Arctic Henge – Parking lot

Happy exploring!

We had so much fun exploring all these Icelandic rock arches! They are such a huge part of what makes the landscape here so special. From the massive Dyrhólaey sea arch to the mystical shape of Hvítserkur, these arches are every bit as diverse as Iceland itself!

We spent around three weeks traveling around Iceland and exploring everything the Land of Fire and Ice had to offer (yes, far beyond the touristy Golden Circle), yet I feel like there are still many more places to discover and experiences to enjoy!

What I love most about Iceland is how packed full of breathtaking places it truly is – mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, black sand beaches, hot springs, and these incredible natural arches. There’s something for everyone, and I hope you enjoy this country as much as we did!

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