Photo: Unsplash
Popular routes
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Everything you’d hunt for separately in the rest of the country sits side by side on this peninsula, which is why it’s called “Iceland in miniature”. You can do it as a day trip from Reykjavík.
- Distance
- ~350 km (loop from Reykjavík)
- Time
- 1 – 2 days
- Base
- Grundarfjörður or Stykkishólmur
Calling Snæfellsnes “Iceland in miniature” is no exaggeration: things you’d look for hundreds of kilometres apart elsewhere in the country sit side by side here. A glacier, lava fields, bird cliffs, black beaches, fishing towns and a seal colony, all on a 90-kilometre peninsula.
You can leave Reykjavík and be back the same day, but it’s a twelve-hour day. Spending a night in Grundarfjörður or Stykkishólmur takes the rush out of it entirely and gives you a chance to see Kirkjufell in the morning light.
Snæfellsjökull, at the tip of the peninsula, is where the heroes of Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth climb down into the underworld. Going up onto the glacier needs a guide; the national park itself is free and open all year.
The short answer
- Can it be a day trip
- Yes, but a long day
- Which direction
- North coast first
- Car
- A small car is fine
- Fuel
- Ólafsvík and Grundarfjörður
- Season
- All year
Stops on the route
In driving order. Each stop has its own page with coordinates, road conditions and what to know before you go.
-
Viewpoint Free
Kirkjufell
The country’s most photographed mountain, framed together with the waterfall beside it.
Grundarfjörður Photo Spot 3 km Reykjavík 110 km
- 1 hour
- Paved
- Easy
-
Waterfall Free
Kirkjufellsfoss
The small three-branched waterfall in front of Kirkjufell.
Grundarfjörður Photo Spot 2 km Reykjavík 109 km
- 45 min
- Paved
- Easy
-
Glacier Free
Snæfellsjökull National Park
The glacier-capped volcano that gave Jules Verne’s novel its setting, and the national park around it.
Hellnar Path 9 km Reykjavík 115 km
- 3 hours
- Gravel
- Moderate
-
Beach Free
Djúpalónssandur
A black pebble beach; the four lifting stones fishermen used to test their strength are still there.
Hellnar Path 12 km Reykjavík 115 km
- 1 hour
- Paved
- Easy
-
Viewpoint Free
Arnarstapi Arch
The coastal walk between Arnarstapi and Hellnar: a rock arch and bird colonies.
Hellnar Path 3 km Reykjavík 106 km
- 1 hour
- Paved
- Easy
-
Viewpoint Free
Lóndrangar Sea Pillars
Two basalt towers rising from the sea, the remains of an old crater.
Hellnar Path 7 km Reykjavík 109 km
- 1 hour
- Paved
- Easy
-
Viewpoint Free
Búðir Black Church
A black wooden church standing alone in the middle of a lava field.
Grundarfjörður Photo Spot 13 km Reykjavík 102 km
- 1 hour
- Paved
- Easy
-
Beach Free
Ytri Tunga Seal Beach
A beach where seals bask on the rocks; good chances of seeing them in summer.
Grundarfjörður Photo Spot 16 km Reykjavík 91 km
- 1 hour
- Paved
- Easy
-
Town Free
Stykkishólmur Colours
Stykkishólmur
Grundarfjörður Photo Spot 30 km Reykjavík 110 km
- 1 hour
- Paved
- Easy
