Londrangar view

Londrangar – Volcanic towers at the end of the world

On the southern coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula rise two majestic basalt towers that captivate every visitor with their grandeur and unique natural surroundings. Londrangar is not just an ordinary geological formation – it is a place steeped in myth, tranquillity and spectacular views that will take your breath away. If you’re looking for an escape to the wild nature of Iceland, this place won’t disappoint you

Soaring 75 metres high, the taller tower is 61 metres tall, while the shorter tower is 61 metres high. These massive rock formations were formed thousands of years ago by volcanic activity and are now a frequent target for photographers. Apart from them, we met hardly any tourists here.
Surrounded by vast lava fields, the towers contrast with the roaring Atlantic that washes over them. According to Icelandic legends, Londrangar are inhabited by elves, and therefore the locals avoid any construction activity near them.

Views and nature

Londrangar is a great place to observe the surrounding natural beauty. From vantage points in the area, you can see not only the rock towers themselves, but also the endless Atlantic Ocean meeting the fierce Icelandic coastline.

Everywhere you look, you can see tall black cliffs, covered with green or yellow grass, depending on the season. However, if you look closely at the rocks that make up the cliffs, you will see basalt columns in some places, such as at Reynisfjara Beach or Studlagil Canyon.

Away from the hustle and bustle of tourism, the place offers perfect tranquillity, and you’ll only be kept company by the multitude of birds trying to catch their dinner or lunch.

Nature trails

From the parking lot to the Londrangar viewpoint, the path is easy and accessible to almost everyone. There is a paved trail leading from the car park that winds gently through the lava fields and grassland. Surprisingly, parking was free.

After about a 5-minute walk, you’ll reach the first viewpoints, which offer breathtaking sights of the rock towers, ocean and dramatic coastline. Observation deck is huge, designed for a much larger number of tourists than you will actually encounter here.

Penguins at Londrangar

But the reason that attracted us to Londrangar was not the views, but the photos of birds that look like penguins. Since these are our favourite animals, we couldn’t not visit the place. However, it is not about the penguins as such. The inhabitant is the lesser alca, a black-and-white seabird that often resembles a penguin in appearance.

Steep walls and rugged terrain protect the birds from predators, while the surrounding ocean offers plenty of food. Alcas feed mainly on fish and shellfish, which they hunt below the surface. They are excellent swimmers and divers – they can dive to depths of up to 60 metres, where they hunt with their sharp beaks.
Unfortunately, we didn’t see any alcas here, just the beautiful reefs and places where they usually nest.

How to get here?

Londrangar is located on the southeast coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, about a 2-hour drive from Borgarnes on the road 54 and 574, which circumnavigates the entire peninsula. If you are driving from Saxhóll Crater the journey will take 10 minutes. Parking is free and is right on the road. From here, a well-marked trail leads to the lookout of the towers. However, count on strong winds, which can make the path slightly difficult, but also enjoy the scenery.