Snaefellsnes Tour

Berserkjahraun lava fields

Snæfellsnes is a volcanic area and the Snæfellsnesjökull glacier is located on a stratovolcano. The peninsula is dotted with other volcanoes, besides this one. An eruption 4,000 years ago formed the Berserkjahraun lava fields, the first stop of the day. In addition to the moss-covered rocks, this eruption formed the cinder craters Rauðkúla and Grákúla. You will view the lava fields from the Vatnaleid viewpoint.

The strange place name is derived from the Eyrbyggja Saga and the story of two Swedish berserkers, or Viking warriors, who cleared a path through the lava fields for an Icelandic farmer before they were betrayed and murdered. Folk tales are often invented to explain strange geological features like this.

In this area there is also a waterfall called Selvallafoss waterfall, also known as the waterfall at Vatnaleid. It is part of the charm of the lava fields.

Kirkjufell Mountain & Waterfall

Mount Kirkjufell is perhaps the most photographed mountain in the country and is synonymous with the area as a whole. Located a short distance from the town of Grundarfjörður, this striking arrowhead-shaped peak stands at just 463 m (1,500 ft) high, but it seems to be all the more impressive as it seems to pierce through the otherwise flat surrounding landscape. Kirkjufell means church mountain in Icelandic, although the exact reason for this nickname is unknown.

Kirkjufell is Iceland’s most photographed mountain for good reason, with the classic shot framing the distant peak with the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall and the mountain’s reflection in the lake. A well-maintained path to the waterfall allows for the perfect shot.

In Game of Thrones, a snow-covered Kirkjufell is seen in a season 7 episode where our hero Jon Snow ventures beyond the Wall in search of evidence to prove the existence of wights.

Snæfellsjökull National Park

Snæfellsjökull National Park is a protected area with the Snæfellsjökull glacier and volcano at its center. Situated on the western tip of the peninsula, the snow-capped glacier can be seen across Faxaflóa Bay from Reykjavík on a clear day.

The entrance to the center of the Earth is located here, at least in the imagination of legendary French science fiction author Jules Verne. In his influential novel Journey to the Center of the Earth, the heroes of the story abseil down the dormant volcano and encounter great dangers and creatures in the depths of the earth.

The following stops are also part of the national park.

Djúpalónssandur black sand beach

We continue exploring the national park at our next stop, the volcanic black sand of Djúpalónssandur. Like all black beaches, the dramatic colour of the sand comes from an ancient volcanic eruption where boiling lava flowed into the sea. The sea eventually eroded this volcanic mass, creating the black sand we see here today. The beach is surrounded by interesting lava formations.

The coastline here has been fished for centuries by both local and foreign trawlers. The lost fishing village of Dritvík was once an important regional centre. Local fishermen would test their strength here by lifting stones of varying weight. To qualify for a place on the boat, a prospective fisherman must lift a stone weighing 54 kg. There are three other stones on which you can test your courage; Amlóði (Useless) is 23 kg, Hálfsterkur (Half Strength) is 100 kg and Fullsterkur (Full Strength) is 154 kg.

The wreck of a fishing trawler, the Epine GY7, can still be seen on the beach here. In 1948, 14 men lost their lives when the trawler sank in stormy seas. The wreck lies here as a grim tribute to this tragedy and others. The sea symbolizes both life and death in Iceland.

Lóndrangur peaks

You will visit the southern side of the peninsula. The next stop is to see the Lóndrangur peaks, volcanic plugs of basalt that stand together in the roaring sea and have been carved out of the surrounding cliffs by centuries of pounding waves. These two peaks rise 75 and 61 meters above the surrounding landscape. A beautiful walking trail allows you to explore the area and enjoy the peaks from different viewpoints.

Arnarstapi cliffs and sea bridge

Continue to the village of Arnarstapi, a small seaside hamlet with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and coastline. Once an important fishing centre, the industry has declined and tourism has become a vital lifeline for this strong community.

There is much to see here. The cliffs here are teeming with birdlife and are an important breeding ground. Viewing platforms offer great vantage points for photographers interested in the various species of birds that call the area home. Striking basalt columns and curious rock formations are interspersed with thin walkways created by years of erosion as the land fights a sea that wants to reclaim it.

Walk across the stone bridge under which the sea has eroded the cliff into a stone arch. This is another popular subject for keen photographers. It may look dangerous in photos, but rest assured, it is perfectly safe.

Budir black church

Iceland’s most famous black church, the Budir Black Church, or as it’s known locally, Búðakirkja, was originally built in 1848 and restored in the 1950s and again in the 1980s. A popular subject for photographers, both professional and amateur, the striking black church in Budir contrasts sharply with the remote and desolate landscape in which it stands, making it a great subject for photographs.

Ytri Tunga beach

The final stop on this tour is the golden sands of Ytri Tunga Beach. Though overlooked by many in favor of the black sand beaches, this beach holds a special surprise. It is one of the best places in all of Iceland to see seals, with the colony often hanging out on the rocks just offshore.

Drop-off