Travel Destinations in West Iceland
The West Iceland region features a unique landscape of mountains, lava fields, steep rocks, and rivers. The western region includes the Snaefellsnes mountain range, the impressive lava fields of the Reykjanes peninsula, and the breathtaking fjords of northwest Iceland. This article details the Snaefellsnes region, the sites worth visiting nearby, accommodation options, and additional attractions.
Warm Recommendation: Visit Iceland on a cruise ship. A detailed description of such a trip can be found in the article: Cruise in Iceland and Norway aboard the Sky Princess
♦ Booking tours in West Iceland from Viator:
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
A unique and magical peninsula. The region stretches for 90 km, forming a breathtaking mountain range. At the tip of the peninsula is the Snaefellsjokull glacier and national park, which served as the gateway to the center of the earth in Jules Verne's novel, "Journey to the Center of the Earth." The glacier sits atop an active volcano with an elevation of 1,446 m. The peak of the glacier can be reached via snowmobiles—several companies offer trips to the mountain peak, including the company snaefellsjokull and the company snjofell, which offer a variety of trips at different prices.
Snaefellsjokull Glacier (Photographed by Ido Barak):
Besides the glacier peak, you can tour plenty of other places in the area, including the Djupalon black pebble beach, the crater of the Saxholl volcano which you can reach via a walking trail, the Songhellir singing cave, and the waterfall Rauðfeldargjá.
At the tip of the peninsula is also the Arnarstapi bay, which is an earthly paradise for bird lovers, thanks to the steep cliffs that are home to hundreds of seabirds. You can walk along the special, preserved shore, observe the special cliffs, a natural stone arch, and continue on a walking trail of about 3 km along the Budir coast along the sea cliffs, until the village of Hellnar.
♥ Recommended hotels in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula area:
Hotel Framnes
A 3-star hotel located 25 km from the Snaefellsjokull glacier.
Private bathrooms, internet, and free parking.
Hotel
Stykkisholmur
A hotel located by the sea in the fishing village of Stykkisholmur.
Private bathrooms, internet, and free parking.
Hotel
Hellnar
A hotel located 6 km from the Snaefellsjokull glacier and adjacent to the park's visitor center.
Private bathrooms, internet, and free parking.
Grund i Grundarfirdi
A guesthouse located 38 km from the Snaefellsjokull National Park.
Shared bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room. Free internet in public areas. Free parking.
Arnarstapi Bay (Photographed by Ido Barak):
Directions to Snaefellsjokull Park:
The Snaefellsjokull National Park is located, as mentioned, at the western tip of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The park is 195 km northwest of Reykjavik and the drive takes about three hours. To get there, you must drive on Route 1 until the town of Borgarnes. From there, turn onto Route 54 and continue with it until reaching the park.
The Town of Stykkisholmur
Another picturesque and special town on the peninsula is Stykkisholmur, located in the northeastern part of the peninsula. From the town departs the ferry toward the Westfjords. The ferry is very comfortable and takes about three hours. If you choose to depart in the evening, you can stop for the night on Flatey Island. On the island, you will find a special wooden church rich in decorations and wall paintings, as well as a small, ancient library telling the story of the island as a center for trade and religious services. Even if you choose to take the morning ferry, you can tour the island, but for a few hours only.
The Port of Stykkisholmur and the Nearby Town of Helgafell (Photographed by Ido Barak):
Flatey Island (Photographed by Ido Barak)
Glymur Waterfall
Another attraction on the peninsula is Glymur Waterfall, which is the tallest waterfall in Iceland. The waterfall, towering at 196 m, is very impressive due to its fall from such a great height and the narrow canyon it falls into. The scenery reflected from the mountain peak will leave you breathless. Directions to the waterfall: upon reaching the waterfall, you must leave Route 1 just before reaching the tunnel crossing a wide bay. At the end of the bay, there is a small sign leading to Glymur Waterfall; proceed along the dirt road for about another kilometer during which there is a fork. At the fork, cross over a bridge and continue for another few hundred meters. At the end of the road, there is a parking lot marking the start of the trail. The trail itself takes about two and a half to three hours, a marked and very nice trail, but it requires wading on foot into the river (up to 15 cm above the heel), as the trail is circular and there is no connecting bridge when crossing between the two banks.
Glymur Waterfall (Photographed by Ido Barak):
Towns on the Way from Reykjavik
Those arriving from the direction of Reykjavik will pass two picturesque towns on the way to the peninsula that are worth visiting, or at least visiting one of them.
The Town of Akranes
Located about 50 km from Reykjavik and with a population of over 6,000 residents. The town can be reached via a tunnel passing under Hvalfjordur Bay. The tunnel is 6 km long and driving through it costs 1,000 ISK for a private car. Driving through the tunnel saves a detour of about an hour's drive. The recommended hiking trail in the town area is to the top of Mount Akrafjall, which rises to a height of 643 m. The climb takes about two hours and is recommended for experienced hikers only.
Other recommended spots are the old Breid Lighthouse from 1918 and the Garðar Museum presenting the industrial and cultural development of the area.
The Old Breid Lighthouse:
Mount Akrafjall:
The Town of Borgarnes
About 40 km north of Akranes is the town of Borgarnes. This is a small town with a population of only 2,000, but it still serves as a trade and service center for the surrounding settlements. The scenery in the town is breathtaking, and on a clear, beautiful day you can see all the way to the Langjokull glacier. Museum and history enthusiasts can enjoy the Settlement Centre which tells the story of the Viking settlement in Iceland. In Borgarnes, there are several swimming pools for the enjoyment of travelers and locals.
About 30 km east of the town, a half-hour drive away, is the Deildartunguhver site where the most powerful hot springs in Europe are located. The site supplies hot water to many towns even at a great distance from the location, and in fact if you shower anywhere within a 65 km radius of the site, you are likely using water coming from it.
About 55 km from Borgarnes, on Route 518, are the Hraunfossar lava waterfalls. The waterfalls create an unusual sight of a mesmerizing natural phenomenon. Water streams flow between lava pillars and create thin waterfalls flowing straight into the Hvita River. The waterfall area was declared a nature reserve in 1987. In the parking lot, there is a viewpoint granting an impressive view of the lava pillars, waterfalls, and river. Nearby is the Barnafoss waterfall, the children's waterfall, named after two children who went missing many years ago after getting lost in the nearby area and presumably falling into the river and drowning. There is a short walking trail from the parking lot to the waterfall.
About 70 km northeast of Borgarnes is the largest lava cave in Iceland and one of the largest caves in the world. The Víðgelmir cave is close to Route 58 and only 8 km from the town of Husafell. The size of the cave is 148,000 square meters, and you will find interesting ice formations and impressive lava stalactites in it. Archaeological excavations in the cave uncovered bones and jewelry from the Viking age, and today touring the cave is only possible with the help of experienced guides. Guided tours depart from Fljotstunga farm and you can join a shorter tour (one hour) or a longer tour (3-4 hours). For more details and ticket booking, enter the Fljotstunga website.
Another option for a day trip in the west is with a detour to Route 50, up to the town of Husafell. The town lies alongside the Langjokull glacier and the special scenery has made it a popular camping destination. Near the town, you will find two recommended waterfalls: Barnafoss and Hraunfossar. Waterfalls are found all over Iceland, but a unique experience awaits you right on the glacier—an enjoyable, exciting, and... barking experience?!
Dog Sledding
♦ Booking a dog sledding tour from Akureyri (via Viator):
Near the Langjokull glacier operates the only company that runs dog sledding - https://www.dogsledding.is. Dog sledding is Iceland's best-kept secret, and you are guaranteed a real experience! Dozens of the farm's dogs originate from Greenland and are just waiting for you, the travelers, to harness them to the sled and give the command to run! The dogs are friendly, charming, well-behaved, and clean, loving to run and play. The farm's owners, Sigi and Clara, will introduce you to the dogs, tell you about their names and the meaning of the name, and about their character. Finally, they will let you harness the dogs to the sled and maybe even drive yourself...
The company has been operating since 1998 and previously worked on the Myrdalsjokull glacier in the south, but the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in April 2010 changed the plans, and the dogs moved. Today, the company runs three trips daily and offers a wide variety of special tour options. To get there, turn right onto Route 50, right before the bridge at the entrance to the town of Borgarnes, and from there continue on Route 517 to the town of Husafell, until reaching the F550 dirt road. Although it is an F-road, the way is passable for all types of vehicles.
To book a dog sledding tour near Reykjavik from Viator:
Husky Sledding
Small-Group Tour from Capital Region
The trip is intended for winter (in suitable weather) or summer. When there is snow, the trip is on a snow sled and in summer on a towed cart. Self-arrival to the site located about a 35-minute drive north of Reykjavik.
Photos courtesy of dogsledding ©
Videos about trips in Iceland:
At the end of the summer (starting from late August) it is already dangerous to stay on the glacier, so the dogs move to operate near southern Selfoss. The company also runs trips from there, but the activity is on a dirt road. The change does not detract from the enjoyment - the charming dogs and their owners will make your time pleasant and give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Directions to the southern location can be found in the article on South Iceland.
Additional Attractions on the Peninsula:
♦ Horse Riding: A special way to get to know the peninsula area is by riding Icelandic horses. Each company runs riding trips in a different area, so you just have to choose. Riding trips can be found at Lysuholl farm, Adventure company, Namshestar, and Arctic rafting.
♦ Cruises: The western region offers various tours and cruises from different locations. You can go on a bird-watching cruise to the islands of Breidafjordur Bay, catch some fish during a fishing trip, enjoy the sunset, or visit Flatey Island. Companies offering cruise trips: saeferdir (operating from mid-May to mid-September), hotel framnes, esjatravel, adventure, sea tours, and Arctic rafting.