Arctic Henge Walk

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Arctic Henge Walk: Easy Hilltop Walk Above Raufarhofn

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

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Ranked #913 of 974

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HikeList Score

Arctic Henge Walk scored 69/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 55
Balanced challenge 64
Scenery & wildness 78
Varied terrain 64
Accommodation 74
Food & support 54
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 100

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Arctic Henge Walk is a 1.2 km, easy out-and-back visit to Heimskautsgerdid on Melrakkaas (Foxhill) above Raufarhofn, the northernmost village on mainland Iceland. It is a short monument walk, not a long-distance trail: expect 30–60 minutes from the car park, crossing the Bifrost footbridge and wandering the stone circle. It suits most hikers, photographers and road-trippers on the Melrakkaslétta peninsula, though the exposed hilltop can be muddy, snowy or windy.

Route Overview

Start and finish at the Arctic Henge car park on Melrakkaas, reached from Road 85 by the short paved Road 874 spur above Raufarhofn. From the car park, walk across the Bifrost footbridge into the henge, then take time to explore the four cardinal gates, central column and circle before returning the same way. The monument is only about 100–200 m from the car park; the 1.2 km distance allows for a relaxed wander, or a slightly longer approach from the village edge. For other Iceland route ideas, compare the Hverfjall Crater Loop, Hvítserkur Rock Hike and Bolafjall Viewpoint Trail.

History of the Arctic Henge

The Arctic Henge grew from an idea by Raufarhofn local Erlingur Thoroddsen, working with artist Haukur Halldorsson, to give the former herring village a landmark rooted in Old Norse mythology. The concept dates to the late 1990s and construction began in the 2000s. Inspired by the Eddic poem Voluspa, the monument acts as a giant sundial and play of light, using named dwarves, cardinal gates and a central column to frame the sun’s movement. It remains under construction as funding allows.

Notable highlights

The Arctic Henge (Heimskautsgerdi): Iceland’s largest piece of land art, a stone circle about 50 m across on Melrakkaas above Raufarhofn. It is inspired by the Eddic poem Voluspa and is still being built in stages.
Four cardinal gates: The four roughly 6 m gateways align with north, south, east and west. In summer, they are designed to frame the path of the sun and the midnight sun.
Central column: A 10 m column on four pillars forms the focal point of the henge. The surrounding stones and dwarf blocks are arranged like a giant sundial.
The 72 dwarves: Small blocks around the site bear dwarf names from the Voluspa dwarf-list. Together they represent the roughly 360-day solar cycle.
Bifrost footbridge: The access path and bridge from the car park to the monument, added in 2019, is named after the rainbow bridge of Norse myth.
Raufarhofn village: The northernmost village on mainland Iceland sits below the monument on the remote Melrakkaslétta peninsula, with harbour, coast and birdlife nearby.

Challenges to expect

The walk is short and navigation is simple, but do not treat it as a paved city path. Around the monument the surface is uneven grass, gravel and dirt, and it can be muddy or snowy. The hilltop is exposed, with fast-changing arctic weather and strong wind possible in any season. There are no toilets, shops or accommodation at the henge; use Raufarhofn’s limited services and carry water.

913

Ranked #913 of 974

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