Description - What to expect

Start your Snaefellsnes Peninsula tour with a pick-up from designated departure points and head for a drive of 150 km away from the bustling city passing by the famous Mt. Esja and around the Faxaflói Bay onwards to volcanic Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Snaefellsnes Peninsula tour itinerary

◾ Berskerkjahraun Lavafields
Your first stop is a viewing point overlooking the region well marked by a rough and wild lava field called Berserkjahraun. The lava field dates back to a volcanic eruption that took place 4000 years ago and has a brutal story to tell, well preserved in one of the Icelandic Sagas.

◾ Mt. Kirkjufell
When getting close to the charming fishing village of Grundarfjörður spot the prominent mountain called Kirkjufell (Church Mountain). It would be an understatement to say that Kirkjufell is one of the most popular mountains in Iceland, as the image of this tall mountain reflected in the nearby water has become an image almost synonymous with the country itself. It stands at a height of approximately 463 meters and also has had its 15 minutes of fame on the silver screen playing the part of the ‘Arrowhead Mountain’ in the hit show ‘Game of Thrones.

◾ Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfalls
Your next stop is by the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls where you can admire the falls with Church Mountain in the background. The old bridge over the falls used to be part of the old main road before it was moved to where it is now. A well-maintained path takes you around the area and allows you to get the perfect pictures.

◾ Snaefellsjökull National Park
The name of the Peninsula originates from the 1500 m high glacier-capped volcano, the region's landmark, at the far end of the peninsula. The volcano is one of the most famous sites in Iceland due to Jules Verne's novel, Journey to the Center of the Earth. In the novel, the protagonists find an opening to a passage on top of the volcano, leading to the center of the earth. The icy-covered volcano is a true natural gem and very rich in legends. Many believe the volcano to be one of seven main energy centers of the earth and its mystique and special energy is felt by many.

◾ Djúpilónssandur Beach
Continue to the black sand beaches of Djúpalónssandur. This area was once home to up to 60 fishing boats and also housed one of the most profitable fishing villages in the area but all of that has now gone leaving behind a beautiful and serene bay. As a reminder of the history of the area, the bay is still home to four lifting stones that were once used by fishermen to test their strength. The minimum a man would have to lift was a 54 kg stone to hip height otherwise he would not be considered fit for service. There is also a stone weighing 23 kg called Amlóði (Useless), 100 kg called Hálfsterkur (half strength), and 154 kg called Fullsterkur (full strength).

◾ Lóndrangar Pinnacles
Lóndrangar is a beautiful rock formation, rising some 75 and 61 meters above the surrounding landscape. They are volcanic plugs of basalt, remnants from a bigger crater that has mostly been eroded away. A good hiking path allows for exploration in the area and takes you to great viewing points where you can also observe seabirds that nest in the sea cliffs during the summer months.

◾ Arnarstapi Harbor and Sea-cliffs
Only 10 10-minute drive is to our next destination, Arnarstapi Harbor. Arnarstapi is a tiny fishing village that sits on the southern edge of the peninsula and stands as a monument to the rich history Iceland has with the fishing industry as well as its rich history with stories and sagas. With its incredibly accessible location, Arnarstapi quickly became an ideal location to serve as a hub for the fishing activities in the area. Very quickly the small town grew into a large shipping port that supplied much of the west coast of Iceland and brought in a tremendous amount of trade to the whole island.
Today the town sees much less use as a fishing port but the docks here have been very well maintained and now see a lot of use from tourists and during the summer months, the docks come alive with boats! When it comes to breathtaking nature though, Arnarstapi may just win the day as you look over the cliffs that this area has in abundance.

Striking basalt columns and curiously cubic rock formations are interlaced with thin walkways caused by years of erosion as the land fights against a sea that wants to reclaim it. Bring some extra memory cards for your camera and thank us later. From Arnarstapi start your journey back to Reykjavik.