Kerling

The Westfjords


Legend has it that this stumpy rock stack is the remains of a petrified troll and Uxi, her bull, is the formation out at sea near the island of Grímsey. The trolls were said to have been digging a trench to sever the Westfjords from the mainland. So absorbed were they in their evil task that they failed to notice the rising sun, its rays struck and they were turned to stone on the spot.

Kerling is set beside the town swimming pool.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Westfjords attractions

1. Sheep Farming Museum

5.36 MILES

The small Sheep Farming Museum, 12km south of Hólmavík, details the region’s farming history through photos and artefacts.

3. Sorcerer’s Cottage

6.78 MILES

The three-room turf-roofed Sorcerer’s Cottage is part of the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft in Hólmavík and shows what living conditions were…

4. Gvenderlaug

6.8 MILES

Gvenderlaug is a landmark, 42°C miracle-producing pool (no bathing) that was blessed by the bishop Gvendur the Good in the 13th century and is now a…

5. Illugastaðir

16.97 MILES

On the west side of Vatnsnes Peninsula is Illugastaðir farm, with wonderful views of peaks along the Strandir coast in the Westfjords. A 10-minute walk…

6. The Factory

17.97 MILES

Crumbling plaster, towering chimneys and vast water tanks ensure Reykjarfjörður's old herring factory is an atmospheric place. The trappings of old…

7. White-Tailed Eagle Centre

21.23 MILES

The White-Tailed Eagle Centre highlights the attempts to increase the population of the struggling species, which peaked in 2011 at 66 nests. It also has…

8. Kört

22.47 MILES

Displays at this small museum cover fishing, farming and collected knick-knacks. Handicrafts are for sale and staff offer information about the area.