Hvítserkur (sometimes referred to as troll rock) is a 15 m high basalt stack along the eastern shore of the Vatnsnes peninsula, in northwest Iceland. The large rock has two holes at the bottom, which makes it look like a dinosaur or dragon or even a rhinoceros who is drinking. It was once the plug of a volcano, but over the years the craters surrounding the rock plug gave way to the pounding Atlantic Ocean leaving only the unusual outcropping Hvítserkur behind. Curiously, Hvítserkur itself would have given way to the ocean as well,but its foundations were shored up with concrete some years ago.
Hvítserkur is located on the 711 gravel road north east of Hvammstangi – this is a circular road which goes round the Vatnsnes peninsula so you have a choice which way round you go. However it is a wonderful drive round this bit of coastline as there are many places to stop and you may get the opportunity to spot seals in this area.
There are a variety of nesting birds on the rock making the rock half white from their guano, thus the name Hvítserkur – “hvít-” meaning white.
The legend goes that Hvítserkur is a petrified troll. The troll lived in Strandir and wanted to tear down the bells at Þingeyraklaustur convent. But fortunately it got caught by daylight and as we all know trolls turn into stone by daylight.
In the estuary to the south of Hvítserkur is where you can sometimes see large colonies of seals as well as a large variety of birds.
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