Krafla
28. October 2024
Hengifoss
8. November 2024
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Well, the Snæfellsnes peninsula is a kind of miniature Iceland. You will find all the charming aspects of this fascinating country in one place. Spanning across western Iceland, this peninsula is full of breathtaking views, dramatic mountain peaks, volcanic craters and picturesque fishing villages.
Dominating the Snæfellsnes is the majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier, which inspired Jules Verne to write his novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Proudly towering over the landscape, this glacier is often shrouded in a mysterious mist, adding a mystical touch to the surrounding landscape.
Along the Snæfellsnes, you’ll encounter a variety of landscapes, from the black beaches of Djúpalónssandur and the volcanic cliffs of Lóndrangar to the picturesque cliffs of Arnarstapi and Buðir, where you’ll find the iconic black church. Also, the peninsula is home to abundant birdlife, as well as seals.
We spent a whole day on the peninsula and still didn’t manage to see all its beauties. Most people visit the iconic Kirkjufellsfossar Waterfall, which is a frequent spot for capturing beautiful Northern Lights photos. However, Snæfellsnes has so much more to offer and we definitely recommend you take a sightseeing drive along Route 54 too. You’ll be treated not only to familiar places, but also to views that you definitely need to see for yourself.
Circle around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
We started our tour along the north coast, as we were coming from the north of the island. The first stop was completely unplanned. As soon as we approached the peninsula, the views completely engulfed us. So much so, that we had to stop the car and go enjoy the beauty of the landscape.
But watch out for the wind. This area is known for strong winds and we have experienced winds of almost 100 km/h here. Getting out of the car was quite a challenge, but the wind fit perfectly into the overall scenery and we surprisingly enjoyed it.
Bootswrack
Inconspicuous place, marked on Google maps as Good View, offers a truly magnificent view. Imagine small, secluded islands stretching out into the sea. The sun’s rays reflect off the surface, adding to their charm. This is exactly what you will see from this spot. But that’s not all.
Dominant feature of the site is a shipwreck that was sunk on the shores of Snæfellsnes in 1923 during a strong wind and storm. Once a mighty merchant ship, this wreck now rests quietly on the shore, where it has been swallowed up by time and nature. Its worn surface and corrosion tell the story of the harsh conditions it faced, while creating a photogenic object for photography enthusiasts.
Surrounding the wreck are black sand beaches and fine dunes. These natural formations give the place a dramatic appearance and offer opportunities for walking and exploring.
Unbelievable landscape from Álftafjöður to Kolgrafarfjörður
Just a little further on, we were again amazed by the road. This time the green and white hilltops around Álftafjöður Fjord.
Álftafjörður is a picturesque fjord surrounded by dramatic mountains that create a stunning panorama. As we approached the site, views of the imposing mountains that rise above the crystal clear waters of the fjord opened up before us.
Tiny waterfalls cascaded from the hills and the higher hills in the background were completely shrouded in a blanket of snow and white haze.
And that was just the beginning. Less than 3 minutes later, our view opened up even more and we felt as if we had been brought to a completely different country.
Kirkjufellsfossar Waterfall
Kirkjufellsfossar can be seen in most photos and paintings from Iceland, most often with the Northern Lights.
The waterfall is made up of two cascades that fall from a low height, but its charm lies in its perfect location below Kirkjufell Mountain. This mountain, known for its unique conical shape, creates breathtaking panoramas with the waterfall.
In addition, the waterfall is a popular spot for viewing the Northern Lights, which adds to its charm. Kirkjufellsfossar has become a symbol of Iceland and is definitely worth a visit
Hellissandur: Small town, great art
After Kirkjufellsfossar, we continued on exploring Snæfellsnes until we came across the picturesque town of Hellissandur. This small town is home to many spectacular street art paintings.
In 2018, Hellissandur became the venue for the Street Art Festival. Many artists from all over the world were invited by the organizer to bring the walls of the old fishing factory to life and attract tourists to this mini town as well.
Today, Hellissandur is home to more than 30 large, brightly coloured paintings that tell stories of local culture, nature and history directly on the walls of local buildings. Each painting is inspired by a local story or legend. Perhaps the most famous is the painting of a sheep, which looks like a perfect 3D model.
But all of the paintings are worth a look. Martin was most fascinated by the Viking ship, which was surrounded by whales and an iceberg. But you’ll also find puffins, a half-girl, half-skeleton and much more.
Irskrabrunnur: whalebone
Just 5 minutes away from Hellissandur lies a true local gem, the Irskrabrunnur, also known as the Irish Spring. After about a 2 minute walk from the car park you will arrive at this spring, which dates back to the 9th century, the time of the arrival of the Vikings in Iceland.
No one knows exactly why it is called the Irish Spring. It served as a water source for the nearby Gufuskálar farm. The spring eventually filled with sand and became a forgotten artefact when the Gufuskálar farm ceased to operate around 1900. Lúðvík Kristjánsson and others organised a search for the spring.
Searching was successful and it was said that there was an ancient whalebone above the entrance to the spring. You can still see this whalebone today. It acts as a large spider demon and gives the place a mythical atmosphere.
At the entrance to the cave, an information board awaits you to tell you the story of the place and give you an idea of what you will be looking at.
Saxhóll Crater - Climb to the top of the volcano
If you continue along the main road, you will reach the volcanic part of Snæfellsnes. You will be greeted by the majestic crater of Saxholl Volcano. Roughly 3 000 to 4 000 years ago, this basalt crater was formed when lava, gases and ash shot out of the ground to form this perfectly symmetrical cone.
It will attract your attention from afar. Park in the free car park and head up the 400 steps to discover its secrets. You won’t be disappointed. It offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and a completely different view from every side.
Winds often reach high speeds here, so it’s a good idea to prepare for its power. At times I felt as if I had no stability. I found the wind toying with me and it was quite difficult to walk a few steps.
Londrangar - the road to Icelandic "penguins"
If you continue on the 574, you will reach the Londrangar viewpoint in 15 minutes. Take advantage of the free parking and head closer to the cliffs. Here, the famous volcanic towers await you, which stand out along with a lone lighthouse.
Reefs offer spectacular views of the coast and the whole surroundings. In addition, they are also the nesting place of the little alca, whose appearance and agility in the water resemble penguins. In many photos it looks exactly like a penguin, so we were also confused if they live here. However, the Londrangar area is home to various other species of seabirds such as gulls and terns. If you’re lucky, you might spot some of them circling the towers or nesting on their steep cliffs.
Arnarstapi - picturesque town at the foot of the mountains
Arnarstapi, hidden on the southern coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, is one of the most beautiful places in Iceland. This small fishing town has become a popular destination thanks to its combination of dramatic coastal scenery, rich history and peaceful atmosphere.
One of the most interesting places in Arnarstapi is the statue of Bárður Snæfellsás, located near the coast. This mythical giant and demigod is the central figure of the Icelandic sagas and the guardian of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Yet there is much more to the town. Here, the magnificent cliffs, harbour and tranquil atmosphere are definitely worth mentioning and you should not miss a stop in this small town.
Rauðfeldar Canyon
Within a few more minutes you will see the high mountains on your left, and it is here that you will find another lesser-known gem, Rauðfeldar. Not only the narrow gorge offers beautiful scenery, but also adventure and a journey in the footsteps of Icelandic mythology.
Trail to the gorge is easy and can be done by most visitors. That is, if you are lucky with the weather. And we weren’t. The strong wind kept changing the direction it was blowing from. It took us almost 15 minutes to make it the short distance from the parking lot to the canyon entrance. And that’s where the real adventure began.
Entrance remained a mystery until the very last moment. Canyon tries to be inconspicuous and the mountains provide an excellent hiding place. Only right in front of it, the rock opens up and invites you to explore its depths.
Ytri Tunga - meeting place with seals
Our last stop at Snæfellsnes was the seal beach. By now the wind was reaching over 100km per hour and it was starting to rain heavily. It was extremely difficult to move around outside, yet we spent an hour on this beach. Although the photos are very bad, given the circumstances, we were glad that we managed to take at least some.
As soon as we approached the beach from the parking lot, we could see a group of three seals playing in the sea. There were several of them, but unfortunately none of them came ashore. I guess it was warmer for them in the sea than outside. .
Unlike the typical black lava beaches that are characteristic of Iceland, Ytri Tunga is sandy and surrounded by rocky coastal formations, giving it a unique appearance.
