27 Jan Laufskalavarda Lava Ridge with Stone Cairns in Iceland

Laufskalavarda is a lava ridge in southern Iceland, and over the years it has developed into a tourist attraction. Travelers began to stack stones as they crossed the Mýrdalssandur desert in order to bring good luck upon their journey. Now people from all around the world visit the area to see these stone cairns. 

Contents:

1) Location of Laufskalavarda in Iceland

2) General Visitor Information

3) Quick Facts

4) Background

5) Nearby Attractions 

1) Location of Laufskalavarda in Iceland

Laufskalavarda is a lava ridge with stone cairns in southern Iceland. It is a small area, just off the Ring Road. Consequently, it is the ideal fun, quick stop on your road trip around Iceland. For reference, it is 30 minutes northwest of Vík, which is a town on the southern coast of Iceland with one of the country’s most famous black sand beaches. 

Parking

The parking lot is located right by the attraction, which means it is also right off the Ring Road. There are restrooms available. Additionally, there is no parking fee. 

Nearby Lodging

For nearby lodging, consider The Barn in the town of Vík. We stayed here in a shared room, so it was similar to a hostel-type accommodation. However, I saw something here that I have not seen before in any hostel I have stayed at previously. They had curtains for every bed. Therefore, you could easily close the curtain once you got in bed to let people know you are trying to sleep. 

If you are heading up the east coast from here, consider staying at Laekjarhus Farm Holidays. On the other hand, book a room at one of Iceland’s most romantic hotels for a romantic getaway with your partner.

Stones stacked in Laufskalavarda

2) General Visitor Information – Laufskalavarda, Iceland

Laufskalavarda is open to visitors all day, every day. There are no visiting restrictions, so you can thus visit at 3:00am if you like. Additionally, there is no entrance or parking fee. However, let us each do our part to keep this attraction free and beautiful by leaving no trace of our presence once we depart. 

Furthermore, the best season to visit is the summer. You will enjoy unobstructed views of the lava ridge piled with stone cairns. The winter season brings about a lot of snow, and thus the stone cairns will become hidden if enough snow piles up. 

3) Quick Facts

1. Laufskalavarda is located in southern Iceland, just off the Ring Road. 

2. Laufskalavarda is a lava ridge full of stone cairns. 

3. There is no parking or entrance fee to visit Laufskalavarda.

4. Many years ago when travelers crossed the Mýrdalssandur desert, they would stack stones for good luck. 

4) Background of Laufskalavarda, Iceland

The name Laufskalavarda dates back to the farm that previously existed on the land. When the Katla volcano erupted close to 900 BC, the farm was then destroyed. 

Laufskalavarda is a lava ridge. Many years ago it was just that – no stacks of stones to be found. However, as time passed and people traveled across the desert of Mýrdalssandur, they started to stack stones for good luck along their journey. As more and more people traveled, the number of stone cairns in the area grew. 

Iceland has lava ridges such as Laufskalavarda, but it also has volcanoes such as Fagradalsfjall. Hiking Fagradalsfjall Volcano was one of my favorite things in Iceland from my entire trip.

Note for Nature

Today Laufskalavarda is more of a tourist destination. You will see cars as well as entire tour buses stop here so people can check out the lava ridge and stone cairns. However, some are worried about the impact the practice of stacking the stones has on the environment. As tourists continuously move rocks, they thus increase the vulnerability of the area to erosion and they also damage the soil. 

Therefore, it would be best to pay a visit to the area simply to appreciate the stone cairns that already exist rather than to build one yourself. 

Some of the MANY stones cairns in Laufskalavarda

5) Nearby Attractions to Laufskalavarda in Iceland

While you are in the area driving to Laufskalavarda in southern Iceland, check out some of the below attractions as well. 

Yoda Cave 

• Parking: Gígjagjá (The Yoda Cave)
• Estimated visit time: 15 to 30 minutes
• Attraction: cave in the shape of Yoda
• Distance from stone cairns: 25 minutes southwest
• Nearby lodging: The Barn

A visit to the Yoda Cave you must pursue or unhappy Yoda will be. I know what you are thinking – is this some tourist trap? The cave probably looks nothing like Yoda. However, I highly recommend giving it a chance. Once you arrive, you will be surprised at just how much the cave resembles Yoda, especially when you look at it from the inside. Additionally, you can just look at the picture below if you still do not believe me. 

For more information: The Yoda Cave in Iceland.

Making a rock levitate at the Yoda Cave

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon  

• Parking: Fjaðrárgljúfur
• Estimated visit time: 1.5 hours +
• Attraction: beautiful canyon and waterfall
• Distance from stone cairns: 25 minutes northeast
• Nearby lodging: The Barn

Prepare to step into a fairytale because that is exactly what it will feel like when you visit Fjadrárgljúfur. The canyon formed many, many years ago after the melting of the last ice age. As the ice melted, it then formed glacial rivers. Consequently, the rivers flowed through Iceland, and one of them eventually cut through the ground to form Fjadrárgljúfur as you see it today.

For more information: Fjadrárgljúfur Canyon Viewpoint and Hike in Iceland. 

Fjadrargljufur Canyon looking like an animated Disney movie

Svartifoss Waterfall

• Parking: Skaftafell & Svartifoss Parking
• Estimated visit time: 1 to 3 hours 
• Attraction: waterfall with basalt rock columns 
• Distance from stone cairns: 1 hour 15 minutes northeast 
• Nearby lodging: The Barn

Svartifoss is one of the most unique waterfalls in Iceland due to the fact it is surrounded by basalt rock columns. These columns exist in a couple of other locations in Iceland, for instance Reynisfjara black sand beach. However, Svartifoss is one of the only waterfalls with this basalt rock column structure. 

For more information: Svartifoss Waterfall Hike in Iceland.

Svartifoss waterfall surrounded by basalt rock columns

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