Black Cliffs of Festarfjall

As you leave the lavafields of the Reykjanes peninsula, while driving east from Grindavik, the costal road starts climbing into a barren landscape of gravel that might as well be on another planet. Closing in on the pass between the small mountains of Festarfjall (190 meters), and  Fiskidalsfjall (204 meters) you will glimpse some huge black cliffs towards the sea. On the inland side of the road there is ongoing gravel excavation, and the inclination is to carry on driving, but on the seaward side of the road it is possible to stop on a rough side road. Do this, then walk down the hill and you will reach the pitch black cliff of Festarfjall which falls of steeply to the flat beach.  Festarfjall gets its name from Festi, a basalt colomn that goes through the mountain. It’s the remains of an old sub glacial volcano, a very common hyaloclastite mountain as they appear in the volcanic zones of the country, but its population of seabirds, kittiwakes, razorbills and fulmar along with shags on the cliff attract the attention of the passers by. There is heavy erosion on the side of the mountain, and in June 2017 passage to the beach was blocked by a small cliff of approximately 7 meters, but the view down there is worth the climb! White roosting gulls dot the black cliff side and a long peninsula disappears in the ocean. In the morning you will be able to line up the sun as well.

You can also climb the mountain, taking care not to slide in the gravel, or getting to close to the loose vertical cliff face. The view back towards Grindavik is fabulous.