About Snæfellsjökull National Park
Snæfellsjökull National Park covers the western tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland, about 2 hours from Reykjavík. Established in 2001, it is Iceland's only national park that extends from the mountains to the sea, taking in around 170 square kilometres of glacier, lava fields, coastal cliffs, and fishing villages.
The park takes its name from the Snæfellsjökull glacier, which caps a dormant stratovolcano rising 1,446 metres above sea level. The volcano has not erupted for around 1,800 years. On clear days the glacier is visible from Reykjavík, over 120 km away. Jules Verne used Snæfellsjökull as the entrance to the underground world in his 1864 novel Journey to the Center of the Earth, and the mountain has carried a certain mystique ever since.
What to do in the park
Glacier hiking
Guided glacier hikes on Snæfellsjökull operate from around June through September, when conditions are most stable. Tours typically last 3 to 4 hours and include crampons, ice axes, and safety instruction. No prior glacier experience is needed, but a moderate level of fitness is required. The views from the glacier surface take in the peninsula, the surrounding coastline, and on clear days much of West Iceland.
Vatnshellir lava cave
Vatnshellir is an 8,000-year-old lava tube near the southern coast of the park. Guided tours descend about 35 metres underground through chambers and passages formed by flowing lava. The cave stays at around 3°C year-round, so warm layers are advisable even in summer. Tours last roughly 45 minutes and are available year-round with advance booking.
Djúpalónssandur beach
Djúpalónssandur is a black sand beach on the park's southern coast, flanked by basalt sea stacks and lava formations. Four lifting stones have sat on the beach for centuries -- traditionally used to test the strength of fishermen before they joined a crew. The stones range from 23 kg to 154 kg, and visitors can still attempt to lift them. Scattered along the shoreline are the rusted remains of a British trawler that wrecked here in 1948.
Arnarstapi to Hellnar coastal walk
A 2.5 km clifftop path connects the villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar along the park's southern coast. The walk passes basalt columns, sea stacks, natural rock arches, and nesting seabirds. It takes around one to two hours at a relaxed pace. Both villages have small cafés and basic facilities.
Getting to the park
From Reykjavík, take Route 1 north to Borgarnes, then Route 54 west onto the Snæfellsnes peninsula, and continue on Route 574 around the tip. The drive takes about two hours to reach the eastern edge of the park, with individual attractions spread along the southern and western coastline. Most visitors combine the park with other stops on the peninsula as part of a Snæfellsnes self-drive or West Iceland tour.
