In this page, you will find informations and advices we can give, based on our experience
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
What to do if you have little time : Kirkjufell
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is mainly known for its Snaefellsjokull volcano. But there is not only the volcano to see. The clipped coast is worth a look. The tour of the peninsula is quite feasible in a day car with a picnic in Djupalon.
The climate here is a little more mild and the temperatures slightly higher.
Access : the tour of the peninsula is 116 miles from Stykkisholmur to the crossing of highway 54 with highway 55. From Stykkisholmur, take the Stykkisholmurvegur / Adalgata south for 6 miles then road 54 towards the east. Make as many stops as you like. One stop is not to be missed, it is Kirkjufell which is probably the most photographed place on the peninsula. After 36,6 miles on route 54, take the 574 towards Olafsvik. It is on this road that you can reach Olafsvik, Svodufoss, Saxholl, Djupalon, Arnarstapi and the best views of the volcano Snaefellsjokull. After 53 miles on route 574, we find Route 54 to continue the tour of the peninsula. After 34.5 miles towards the east, take a track in very good condition on the left for 1 mile towards Ytri Raudamelur.
Kirkjufell
No hike
1 hour
Fee parking 5€
It is an essential stop on the peninsula. This spot is very well known by photographers because it allows to have on the same shot the mountain and the waterfalls in foreground. The place is indeed very nice but also very popular. You will not be alone there.
Selvallafoss
No hike
1 hour
Free
Very pretty waterfall as there are so many in Iceland. It is completely invisible from the road. It is necessary to make a small walk of less than 5 minutes to reach the top of the waterfall from where we have a pretty sight on a lake and on some craters. It is possible to go down to the foot of the waterfall.
Access : from Stykkisholmur, take the Stykkisholmurvegur Adalgata road south until you reach road 54. Take it westward for 4,6 miles and then turn left to road 56 for 1,7 miles. The parking lot will be on your right.
Svodufoss
No hike
1 hour
Free
Nice waterfall very easy to access by a fully equipped path.
Berserkjahraun lava field
Depending on wish
1 hour
Free
Beautiful field of old lava covered with vegetation, magnified by the colors of autumn. By taking the 558 Berserkjahraun track, if your car allows it, you will reach the heart of this lava field. It is possible to take a little height by taking a path along a crater.
Access : from the northern intersection between roads 56 and 54, take 54 west for 0,2 miles. Turn left onto the 558 Berserkjahraun trail indicated by a sign.
Djupalon
0,25 mile one way
1 to 2 hours
Free
Black pebble beach very beautiful with its ancient lava flows covered with moss. On this beach, we find pieces of scrap metal. A sign at the entrance to the beach indicates that this is the wreck of an old trawler failed in 1947. Ideal place for a picnic break.
Arnarstapi
Depending on wish
1 to 2 hours
Free
Small town friendly and quite busy. A trail runs along the coast where you can admire the basalt columns that gush from the turquoise waters of the sea. The port deserves to be seen.
Snaefellsjokull
No hike
15 to 30 minutes
Free
From Djupalon parking, we have a superb view of the volcano / glacier Snaefellsjokull. For the record, Jules Verne was inspired by this place to start his "Journey to the Center of the Earth".
Ytri Raudamelur
Depending on wish
1 hour
Free
Stevefoss
No hike
15 minutes
Free
Compared to the other waterfalls of Iceland, Stevefoss is not really worth the detour. It is far, hidden and not easy to approach.
Saxholl Crater
Depending on wish
1 hour
Free
Small crater, not to be missed, at the roadside, with nice colors. To go up there, you will have to take the staircase with 384 steps ! From the top, the view is very nice.
Mount Helgafell
0,2 mile one way
1 hour
Free
Short hike (0,4 mile roundtrip) which is to climb up the hill to get a nice view of Stykkisholmur and Snaefellsnes peninsula. A legend tells you have to climb without looking back and without talking to the summit of Mount Helgafell. Once up, you have to head east and make three wishes. It seems that it works! (We are still waiting!).
Stykkisholmur
Depending on wish
1 hour
Free
Small town with a port status, but little interest. To see, however, the large white church with a strange design.
Olafsvikurkirja Church
No hike
15 minutes
Free
Small church of the city of Olafsvik with a modern architecture. The road leading to it is painted with the colors of the rainbow.
Ingjaldsholl Church
No hike
15 minutes
Free
Small church visible from far thanks to its red roof near Hellissandur. Contrary to many other churches in Iceland, this one was closed at the time of our passage.
Fjords and coast
No hike
Depending on wish
Free
You can also find pretty fjords on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and some small coastal towns.
To see around
Lodging
We have tested :
Copyright Magali and David BELLEC