Wonders of Snæfellsnes

Snæfellsnes has long been believed to be one of the world’s major cosmic energy centers and a haven for sea and bird life. The Snæfellsnes peninsula is dominated by the glacier-covered dormant Snæfellsnes volcano, which was the inspiration for Jules Verne’s classic novel, Journey to the Center of the earth and fueled the imagination of Iceland’s Nobel Prize winner Halldór Kiljan Laxness.

The first stop of the day is at the small hamlet Búðir, a beautiful spot where the only remainders of the old fishing village are a charming church and graveyard. After this photogenic place, we go over to the small fishing village called Arnarstapi. As well as having a charming port it’s also where you can go see Gatklettur (Hellnar Arch), a little-known gem that’s been shaped by the eroding force of the sea into a picturesque arch. Towering over the town is Mt. Stapafell, a palagonitic pyramid that plays a big part in making the town as photogenic as it is. Close by is the ancient fishing village Hellnar where we can enjoy coffee and waffles before heading down to the sea to see the beautiful rock formations.

Our next stop is within the National park. Djúpalónssandur is a beautiful black colored pebbled/sandy beach with dramatic cliffs emerging from the shore. From there we travel North and go see one of the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell (Church mountain). It’s a beautifully shaped mountain that stands near the small town of Grundarfjörður. On the opposite side of the road is the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall which is beautiful on its own but getting pictures of them together can creating stunning results.

On our way back to Reykjavík we drive past Hraunsfjörður bay. It has a lake that’s popular for fishing and can create a beautiful backdrop in the sunset. As this is a long day, it might be possible to see the Northern lights at the end of the tour.