They name it “Iceland in Miniature.”
And it truly is. With a crashing shoreline, pure scorching swimming pools, basalt columns, volcanoes, waterfalls, fluffy horses, and glaciers, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula actually does encapsulate nearly every part Iceland is understood for all inside a 90-kilometer-long peninsula.
The peninsula not too far north of Reykjavik additionally embodies a number of the non-visual traits of Iceland, too: small, cozy lodges; recent seafood; an adventurous spirit; and the reminder of simply how wild and harsh Mom Nature can typically be.
Right here on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula you possibly can go to black sand seashores bearing the ghostly stays of shipwrecks, stroll alongside coastlines formed by the crashing sea, descend into caves shaped by molten lava, and hike on an enormous glacier that sits atop a dormant volcano.
I’ve truly been to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula three totally different occasions within the final decade – twice in the summertime, and as soon as throughout the winter months. And I can unequivocally say that it is one among my favourite elements of Iceland.
Whether or not it is your first journey to the Land of Fireplace and Ice or your fifth, it is value making an attempt to squeeze in a while to expertise “Iceland in Miniature” for your self.
High issues to do on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
This checklist will circle the peninsula going clockwise on Freeway 54 (AKA Snæfellsnesvegur), although you actually may go the opposite approach, too.
1. Gerðuberg basalt columns
One of many first factors of curiosity on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is the Gerðuberg Cliffs. These hexagonally-shaped basalt columns had been shaped by rapidly-cooling lava throughout a volcanic eruption 1000’s of years in the past.
The columns rise wherever from 23 to 46 toes, forming what nearly seems like a wall.
The columns are straightforward to succeed in; they don’t seem to be far off the principle highway, and there is a designated parking space. You can too climb as much as the highest of the column wall for some fascinating views.
2. Ytri Tunga seashore
This seashore is exclusive in that it has golden sand (as an alternative of black). Strolling alongside the seashore and rock swimming pools right here is sweet, and this is among the finest locations on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula to see Harbour Seals.
There is a car parking zone right here and a path out to a viewing space. Simply be aware that if there are seals on the seashore, you need to give them loads of area! They’re wild animals, in spite of everything.
3. Bjarnarfoss
The primary notable waterfall you may come throughout on this route across the peninsula is among the most spectacular! It is known as Bjarnarfoss, and is a two-tiered waterfall that falls roughly 260 toes from basalt cliffs.
There’s a big automotive park right here, and a clearly marked path that may lead you to a bridge over the decrease portion of the falls. You may technically climb larger up, too, however be very cautious if you happen to do.
I extremely suggest making a cease right here! I visited later within the day, and we mainly had the entire place to ourselves.
4. Búðakirkja
Close by of Bjarnarfoss is one other spot value a photograph cease: the black church Búðakirkja. Nobody is kind of positive why some Icelanders began portray their church buildings black, however they positive are placing towards the already-striking panorama.
This one sits on the Búðahraun lava area simply up the hill from a resort. (You may drive up the hill to the church, the place there is a small car parking zone.)
5. Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge
Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge AKA “the Crack” is an fascinating little gorge with a stream working by means of it.
There is a brief uphill hike required to get to the mouth of the small canyon, and you will need waterproof sneakers if you wish to transcend the mouth. However I promise it is value it! Inside, the towering gorge partitions are coated in moss.
6. Arnarstapi
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula has no giant cities. As a substitute, there are a bunch of little fishing villages dotted alongside the coast. One in all these value visiting is Arnarstapi, a well-liked summer time escape for a lot of locals and vacationers and historically a decent-sized port in Iceland.
Sights on the town value seeing embody the harbor, the Stone Bridge, the Gatklettur rock arch, and the Bárður Saga Snæfellsás Statue. Most of those are linked by way of a well-maintained path of crushed black lava rock.
Within the winter, the city is almost abandoned. However in the summertime, it is downright bustling. There are a pair lodges in Arnarstapi, together with a handful of eating places.
7. Arnarstapi to Hellnar coastal path
The trail that connects the principle websites in Arnarstapi truly continues for 1.5 miles alongside the coast and thru the Hellnahraun lava area to a different small village known as Hellnar.
The hike takes about an hour (you may need to cease heaps for photographs!), and is crammed with epic views of the coast and some scrambles over lava rocks.
This hike is unquestionably value doing in case you have time!
8. Hellnar
Even if you happen to do not do the coastal stroll, it is well worth the slight detour to the village of Hellnar. The views from the Hellnar View Level are value it (and the Fjöruhúsið café is gorgeous).
9. Lóndrangar
The cliffs of Lóndrangar rise out of the ocean in a particular form – and the pillars of basalt rock right here are literally the remnants of an historic volcanic crater which have been battered down by the ocean.
The Lóndrangar View Level is linked to a car parking zone, however you can too see the rock formation from elsewhere within the space.
There’s one other climbing path right here alongside the coast between the Lóndrangar View Level and the Gestastofan Customer Middle close to the Malarrif Lighthouse. The path is a couple of mile one-way, and takes you all the way down to the seashore after which up and across the 200+-foot-tall pillars of Lóndrangar.
Components of this path additionally provide up wonderful views of the glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull mountain.
10. Snæfellsjökull glacier
Snæfellsjökull is a 700,000-year-old stratovolcano within the heart of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. It is also the title of the glacier that sits on prime of the volcano.
You may spot the mountain and get glimpses of the glacier from all around the peninsula (although the glacier is unfortunately receding quickly as a consequence of local weather change). In the summertime months, intrepid hikers may even climb the 4700-foot volcano. The hike is difficult and takes most of a day, so that you’re inspired to do it as a part of a guided climbing tour like this one.
11. Vatnshellir lava cave
Enjoyable truth: The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is the setting for the start of Jules Verne’s “A Journey to the Middle of the Earth.” In actual fact, they discover the tunnel to the middle of the earth beneath Snæfellsjökull.
So if you happen to do not need to climb Snæfellsjökull, you possibly can go beneath it by way of the Vatnshellir lava cave.
The Vatnshellir lava cave is fashionable for a few causes. To begin with, it is a cave beneath a glacier that was carved out by molten lava 8,000 years in the past. Secondly, it has a whole lot of legends surrounding it, together with being the house of trolls. And, thirdly, the locals say that that is the place you may discover the passage to the middle of the earth – in actual fact, there’s even a cheeky signal inside pointing the way in which!
You may solely go contained in the lava tube cave by way of a guided tour. Excursions final about 45 minutes, and embody crucial gear like helmets. Reserving forward is really helpful; excursions are supplied each half-hour in the summertime, and hourly the remainder of the 12 months.
12. Djúpalónssandur seashore
If you need proof of the superior energy of Mom Nature in Iceland, look no additional than Djúpalónssandur seashore. This black sand/pebble seashore on the finish of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is understood for depraved waves and currents which have claimed multiple ship all through historical past.
There is a view level overlooking the realm, in addition to a path main all the way down to the seashore itself. From the car parking zone, the stroll takes about 10-Quarter-hour every approach and takes you down by means of the craggy Aflraunasteinar rock formations.
The proof of shipwrecks can nonetheless be seen scattered throughout the large swath of black pebbly seashore, and the waves breaking on shore are undoubtedly highly effective sufficient to make you assume twice about getting too shut. (And, significantly, do not get too shut.)
This is among the busier stops on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula (it’s doable for the car parking zone to replenish throughout the summer time months with bus excursions), however do not skip it! It is value it to attend to see this very distinctive seashore.
13. Saxhóll Crater
Need to stand up shut and private with an extinct volcano? You are able to do it fairly simply at Saxhóll Crater. Guests can hike into the 100-foot-tall extinct crater comparatively shortly by way of a set of low-slung steps that curve round its aspect.
This does not take too lengthy, making it a well-liked cease on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
14. Skarðsvík Seaside
Whereas black sand seashores get all of the love in Iceland, here is one other golden sand seashore value visiting. You do need to drive down a one-lane highway for a little bit methods to succeed in Skarðsvík Seaside, but it surely’s undoubtedly value it (and in addition advantageous to do in a 2WD automotive).
The seashore here’s a combination of black and golden sand, surrounded by black volcanic rock and cliffs. It is merely beautiful!
There is a small parking space and a pair picnic tables arrange right here.
15. Ingjaldshólskirkja
Observe indicators to Ingjaldshóll to discover a charming red-roofed church and an fascinating set of stone monuments with beautiful views.
The historical past of Ingjaldshóll goes again centuries – a minimum of again to the 1300s. The church right here was as soon as the third-largest church in Iceland, and nonetheless serves individuals in close by villages.
Exterior the church there is a small graveyard, in addition to two stone monuments devoted to Eggert Ólafsson and his spouse Ingibjörg Guðmundsdóttir, who grew up on this space and died tragically at sea in 1798. The monuments had been made by the sculptor Páll Guðmundsson.
16. Svöðufoss
One other waterfall value stopping to see is Svöðufoss on the northern aspect of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. A brief, flat stroll from the parking space by means of farm fields will carry you up near this beautiful waterfall.
Svodufoss would not appear to have actually been “found” but (regardless of there being a longtime parking space and path), making it a enjoyable one to go to. After I was there, there have been solely two different {couples} on the waterfall.
The waterfall cascades 30 toes over a cliff of basalt columns (sure, these are a theme right here in Iceland!). On clear days, you possibly can even see Snæfellsjökull rising behind it within the distance.
17. Kirkjufell
Heading alongside the northern coast of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, the highest attraction by far is Kirkjufell, or the Church Mountain. That is the cone-shaped mountain you have most likely seen on all of the postcards.
There is a car parking zone throughout the highway from the mountain with entry a path that may lead you to the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls.
Simply be aware that this is among the solely locations on the peninsula the place you must pay to park. The Kirkjufellsfoss car parking zone has cameras on the entrance that may take a photograph of your license plate, and also you pay by way of a machine earlier than you allow. The quantity relies on how lengthy you keep – however you most likely solely want about half-hour right here.
18. Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum
If you happen to solely go to one non-natural spot on this checklist, make it the quirky Shark Museum in Bjarnarhöfn. Right here you possibly can take heed to a brief presentation on how the notorious Hákarl (fermented shark) is made.
Hakarl is the nationwide dish of Iceland, and locals have been consuming it for tons of of years. It is made utilizing the meat of the Greenland shark, which is poisonous to people when recent. But when it is left to ferment after which hung to dry for just a few months, it is fit for human consumption.
After this course of, the meat has a definite ammonia-rich scent and style to it. You may strive it right here on the museum if you happen to dare.
The Shark Museum is situated on the farm of one of many final households that produces hakarl commercially to promote throughout Iceland. They use sharks which are by chance caught in fishing nets (shark searching is not a factor right here any extra), and it is fascinating to be taught concerning the course of even if you happen to do not need to style the meat.
19. Stykkishólmur
Lastly, it is value stopping in Stykkishólmur, the most important city on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. This city has a whole lot of appeal, in addition to a wonderful harbor (which can be the place you possibly can catch a ferry to the Westfjords).
Additionally value a glance is the Stykkishólmskirkja, a contemporary Lutheran church with a placing design.
How a lot time do you want on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula?
Ideally you’d enable your self two days to completely discover the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. With two days, you possibly can cease to see all of the seashores, cliffs, and waterfalls, and nonetheless have loads of time for the coastal walks, lava cave tour, and taking your time to benefit from the surroundings.
BUT, if you do not have two days, you possibly can see the vast majority of the highlights right here in only one (very jam-packed) day.
The place to remain on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Staying in a single day on the peninsula is very really helpful! Just a few lodges and guesthouses to think about embody:
Snaefellsnes Peninsula excursions
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is inside straightforward driving distance from Reykjavik (2 hours every approach), and the roads are well-maintained in good climate. Due to this fact you would undoubtedly hire a automotive and see the peninsula by yourself time.
If you happen to do not feel comfy driving your self (or if you happen to’re going within the winter when the roads could be a bit iffy), there are many tour choices, too. You can do an in a single day tour, or perhaps a day journey from Reykjavik. (I’ve performed each; clearly the 2-day tour suits extra in, however you continue to see quite a bit on a day journey!)
Have you ever ever been to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula? If not, is is someplace you need to go to?
