The western peninsula of Snæfellsnes is an area of diverse beauty and wonder with a rich history and famously served as the inspiration for one of the great works of western adventure literature.
It is often referred to as a miniature version of Iceland, as in a relatively small area one can see lava fields, mountains, small towns, a glacier, sea cliffs, lava caves, black sand beaches and much more. All the wonders of Iceland in a manageable day tour.
Our exclusive small group tours ensure a more intimate and personal experience. Berserkjahraun lava fields, Mt. Kirkjufell and Kirkjufell waterfalls, Djúpalónssandur black sand beach, Lóndrangar Basalt Cliffs, Snæfellsjökull National Park and Arnarstapi Harbour are amongst the places of interest you will enjoy with us on the tour.
Our first stop of the day is at Berserkjahraun. This moss covered lava field is the remnant of an eruption from the nearby Bjarnarhafnafjall Mountain over 4000 years ago. The scale of the lava fields really attests to the power and influence of volcanoes on the Icelandic landscape.
Berserkjahraun literally translates as the lava field of the frenzied warriors. The berserk warriors if you will. This reflects the fury that must have been unleashed here all those years ago when the mountain blew its top.
Mount Kirkjufell or the church mountain is perhaps the most photographed mountain in Iceland. This 463 m mass looms over the nearby fishing village of Grunðarfjörður. Its distinct arrowhead shape has inspired both professional and amateur photographers for years. It recently came to prominence internationally by featuring as the Arrowhead Mountain in one the later seasons of the hit TV show “Game of Thrones”.
The iconic vista of Kirkjufell is taken from this location and features the falls in the foreground which really sells the scale of the looming mountain in the background. The waterfall is a three pronged waterfall fed by glacial meltwaters from the nearby Snæfellsjökull glacier. A small path takes you around the area for a great view of the falls and Mt Kirkjufell from all angles.
Snæfellsnesjökull National Park in a protected wilderness area encircling Snæfellsjökull glacier. It is possible to see Snæfellsjökull on a clear day from Reykjavík, hundreds of kilometres to the south. Our guests get a better view! A 700,000 year old subglacial volcano, it has thankfully lain dormant for almost 2000 years, which is just as well as it is the same type of volcano as Ejyafjalljökull. That subglacial volcano erupted and famously created chaos and grounded airplanes worldwide back in 2010.
Snæfellsjökull also famously features in Jules Verne´s seminal 1864 adventure novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth”. The entrance to the underworld was imagined by Verne to lie here.
Djúpalónssandur is a black sand beach and one of the most famous in Iceland. Cliffs and rock formations encircle the beach, and visitors can walk along these cliffs to view the beach from all angles. Two of the stranger rock formations here were thought to be frozen trolls.
Lóndrangur are two enormous basalt rock formations reaching 75m and 61m respectively. These pinnacles are all that remains of an ancient crater, which has long since been eroded by the sea. They serve as both a stunning view from all angles as well as home to various nesting bird species
The beautiful village of Arnarstapi serves as our final stop of the day. This picturesque location is shadowed by mountains to the north and wave battered cliffs to its south.
Once a very important fishing and trade hub for the region, the area's economy now is now reliant upon tourism and guest services, but once definitely gets a sense of its illustrious past from the harbour. It is a real pleasure to walk along the cliff edge and spot the nesting seabirds below. After Arnarstapi, we begin the long journey back to Reykjavík enjoying the scenery along the way.
- Departs All Year @ 0900
- Duration is around
- Price Includes Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off, Professional guide & Free Wi-Fi
