Vik i Myrdal Church

The church stands on a hill above the village, and the view is why people stop. Below are the roofs of Vík, the black sand beach and the Atlantic. On clear days the Reynisdrangar sea stacks stand offshore. The church itself is small, with a red roof. A walking path beside it climbs a little higher and opens a wider view over the town. In June lupins flower across the slopes around the church. In winter the hill is dark enough for the aurora: light pollution above the village is low, and the northern lights have been photographed from here.

• No toilets on the hill. The nearest are about 370 m away in the village; drinking water is at a similar distance.
• Rain is normal. Vík is the wettest coastal town in Iceland, with about 2,250 mm a year, and low cloud hides the view.
• The sea stacks need clear air. Reynisdrangar shows offshore only on clear days.
• June is lupin season. The flowers cover the slopes around the church.
• Winter nights work for the aurora. Light pollution above the village is low, and the northern lights have been photographed here.

The road runs to the top of the hill, so the church is reached by car with nothing left to walk. An asphalt car park lies a few metres from the entrance, and a second one 45 m along. The nearest bus stop is about 300 m below, in the village; from there the last stretch is uphill on the road.

Best: June for the lupins, clear days for the view, winter nights for the aurora.

Avoid: overcast and rainy weather.

The view works only in clear air, and the beach, the village and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks all depend on it. Vík is the wettest coastal town in Iceland, so check the forecast before driving up. In winter the sky over the village is dark enough to photograph the northern lights.