Drive the loop anticlockwise
In the afternoon the sun comes from the south, so Arnarstapi and Djúpalónssandur look far better the other way round.
West Region
Vesturland
Snæfellsnes: a little Iceland in a single day.
- Suggested time
- 2 days
- Places
- 35
- Best months
- All year
Just an hour or two’s drive from Reykjavík, West Iceland (Vesturland) brings together every one of the country’s natural wonders in one region: glaciers and volcanoes, lava fields and gushing waterfalls, fairy-tale coastlines. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula in particular holds almost every kind of landscape Iceland has, which is why it is rightly called “Iceland in Miniature”.
Quick tips
Before you go to West Iceland
Cross the bridge for Kirkjufell
The famous shot is taken from the Kirkjufellsfoss side, across from the mountain. Parking is paid, 700 ISK.
Fill up in Borgarnes
Stations are sparse on the peninsula and some don’t take cards at night. Fill the tank before you start the loop.
Places to see
35 places in this region
Glymur
WaterfallFalling 198 metres in a hidden canyon in Hvalfjörður, Glymur is Iceland’s most spellbinding hiking waterfall, with an adventurous trail full of river crossings and caves.
4 hours
Snæfellsjökull National Park
GlacierThe glacier-capped volcano that gave Jules Verne’s novel its setting, and the national park around it.
3 hours
Víðgelmir Cave
CaveOne of the country’s largest lava caves by volume; guided.
1.5 hours
Arnarstapi Arch
ViewpointThe coastal walk between Arnarstapi and Hellnar: a rock arch and bird colonies.
1 hour
Berserkjahraun Lava Field
ViewpointA moss-covered lava field that appears in the sagas.
1 hour
Borgarnes
TownA stopover town on the Ring Road, known for the long bridge across its fjord.
1 hour
Búðir Black Church
ViewpointA black wooden church standing alone in the middle of a lava field.
1 hour
Deildartunguhver
Hot springEurope’s highest-flow hot spring; it heats homes across the region.
1 hour
Djúpalónssandur
BeachA black pebble beach; the four lifting stones fishermen used to test their strength are still there.
1 hour
Eiríksstaðir
Historic siteA reconstruction of Erik the Red’s farm; said to be where Leif Eriksson was born.
1 hour
Eldborg Crater
VolcanoAn almost perfectly oval spatter crater, reached by a walk across the meadow.
1 hour
Gerðuberg Basalt Wall
ViewpointA wall of hexagonal basalt columns stretching for hundreds of metres by the road.
1 hour
Grábrók Crater Walk
VolcanoA crater with wooden stairs, right by the Ring Road.
1 hour
Grundarfjörður Photo Spot
TownGrundarfjörður
1 hour
Hellnar Path
TownThe other end of the coastal walk; known for its little seaside café.
1 hour
Hvammsvík Ocean Pools
Hot springPools on the shore of Hvalfjörður whose level changes with the tide.
1 hour
Kirkjufell
ViewpointThe country’s most photographed mountain, framed together with the waterfall beside it.
1 hour
Krauma
Hot springA modern spa fed by the water of Deildartunguhver.
1 hour
Langjökull Ice Tunnel
CaveA tunnel dug into the glacier; you walk right inside the mass of ice.
1 hour
Lóndrangar Sea Pillars
ViewpointTwo basalt towers rising from the sea, the remains of an old crater.
1 hour
Ólafsvík
TownA small harbour where whale-watching tours set off.
1 hour
Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge
CanyonA narrow cleft in the face of the mountain; you have to step into the stream to go inside.
1 hour
Reykholt (Snorrastofa)
Historic siteWhere Snorri Sturluson lived; one of the centres of saga literature.
1 hour
Saxhóll Crater
VolcanoA crater you climb in ten minutes on a metal staircase.
1 hour
Settlement Center
MuseumA two-floor exhibition on the settlement age and Egil’s Saga.
1 hour
Sönghellir (Singing Cave)
CaveA small cave known for its echo.
1 hour
Stykkishólmur Colours
TownStykkishólmur
1 hour
Vatnshellir Lava Cave
CaveAn eight-thousand-year-old lava tube you descend with a guide.
1 hour
Ytri Tunga Seal Beach
BeachA beach where seals bask on the rocks; good chances of seeing them in summer.
1 hour
Hraunfossar
WaterfallHundreds of fine cascades seeping out from under a lava layer into the river.
45 min
Kirkjufellsfoss
WaterfallThe small three-branched waterfall in front of Kirkjufell.
45 min
Lýsuhólslaug
Hot springA small local pool known for its algae-rich, mineral, greenish water.
45 min
Súgandisey Island
ViewpointA rocky island in Stykkishólmur harbour, climbed by a staircase.
45 min
Barnafoss
WaterfallThe raging gorge just above Hraunfossar; its name comes from a folk tale.
30 min
Svöðufoss
WaterfallA wide waterfall with Snæfellsjökull behind it.
30 min
Times are time spent on site, not including the drive. Limited months show when the highland F-roads and fjord passes are open.