Snæfellsnes Peninsula Road Trip: Iceland's West Coast

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is called ‘Iceland in Miniature’ — within 90km you encounter a glacier-capped volcano, basalt sea arches, Iceland’s most photographed mountain, black pebble beaches, and dramatic bird cliffs. It’s accessible in a long day from Reykjavík but is significantly better with 2 days.

Route Overview

Reykjavík → Borgarnes → Snæfellsnes circuit → back to Reykjavík or Westfjords ferry

The peninsula is served by Route 54 (main road, north coast and south coast approach) and Route 574 (circles the tip of the peninsula through the national park). Total circuit from Borgarnes and back: approximately 300km.

Day 1: Reykjavík to North Coast (via Borgarnes)

Borgarnes (75km from Reykjavík): Settlement Centre museum — one of Iceland’s best small museums. Allow 1.5–2 hours. Good lunch stop.

Continue on Route 54 north coast:

Kirkjufell (near Grundarfjörður, approximately 100km from Borgarnes): Iceland’s most photographed mountain. The Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground. Short walk to the viewpoint from the car park. Allow 30–45 minutes. Free.

Stykkishólmur (approximately 170km from Reykjavík total): The Westfjords ferry base and Snæfellsnes’s largest town. The harbour, Norwegian House museum (ISK 1,000 adult), and Narfeyrarstofa restaurant (mains ISK 3,500–5,500). Overnight here or continue south.

Day 2: South Coast and Peninsula Tip

Arnarstapi to Hellnar coastal walk (approximately 2.5km one way): Sea arches, basalt stacks, nesting seabirds, and the Bárður sculpture at Arnarstapi. Allow 1.5–2 hours return or a one-way walk with a shuttle.

Djúpalónssandur (approximately 15km west of Arnarstapi): Black pebble beach with sea stacks, lava formations, and the rusted wreck of the Epine trawler (1948). Free. Allow 45 minutes.

Snæfellsjökull glacier and national park: Drive to the car park at the end of Route 570. Guided glacier tours depart from here — snowmobile ISK 19,900–22,000, glacier walk ISK 14,900–17,900 (Summit Adventures). The national park visitor centre (Snæfellsbær) near Hellnar explains the Jules Verne mythology and local geology.

Lóndrangar basalt plugs: Two volcanic plugs rising 75m and 61m above the coastline. A 15-minute walk from the car park. Puffins in the area May–August. Free.

Hótel Búðir (optional stop or overnight): One of Iceland’s most photographed buildings — a black-painted church in an isolated coastal setting. The hotel restaurant serves dinner (mains ISK 4,500–7,500). Overnight from approximately ISK 55,000–80,000.

Practical Notes

Fuel: There are petrol stations in Borgarnes, Stykkishólmur, Grundarfjörður, and Ólafsvík. The peninsulatip between Ólafsvík and Arnarstapi has no fuel.

Ferry connection: From Stykkishólmur, the Baldur ferry (2.5 hours) crosses to Brjánslækur in the Westfjords. This is the natural extension if continuing to the Westfjords — book ahead at seatours.is.

Weather: Snæfellsjökull creates its own weather — the glacier summit can be cloud-covered even when the rest of the peninsula is clear. Early morning gives the best chance of clear glacier views.