Hafursey

Hafursey is an exceptionally beautiful palagonite mountain situated on the north side of Mýrdalssandur. It is divided by Klofgil Gorge- the west side, Skálafell, is 582m high, and Kistufell's east side is 513m high.

There, the Fulmar has its nesting grounds, and the slopes are covered with scrub vegetation in an area once forested. Hafursey was used by the farmers from Hjörleifhöfda for sheep grazing all year round and kept in a 'sel, ’ a shelter used during summers until 1854.

The Sel (a natural cave used for shelter) in Hafursey is one of the best-preserved remnants in the history of Iceland. In 1755, when Katla erupted, six men took shelter in the cave during the glacier burst. Their signatures, plus the date and year of their stay there, are written on the wall and are visible as you enter the cave.