Photography: Ivan Andrejic
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Secrets of Snæfellsnes 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. 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. Not only does this location have black sand beaches to rival the southern coast, a national park that could give Þingvellir a run for its money and of course it’s very own glacier but it also has a lot of charm that will be sure to win your heart. No matter what your tastes are as a traveller, Snæfellsnes is guaranteed to have something for you.
Snæfellsjökull National Park 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. 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 Djúpalónssandur is a black sand beach and one of the most famous in Iceland. in Iceland. The beach is encircled by cliffs and rock formations, 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. A challenge can be found here for the more competitive of visitors. Long held as a test of strength, 4 lifting stones of ascending size and weight lie on the breach. Once used to test the strength of fishermen, it´s held that the achievement of lifting the 54kg stone was the minimum requirement to find employment on fishing boats in the area.
Arnarstapi 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.
Mount Kirkjufell 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 amateru photographers for years. A classic snap is Kirkjufell with the northern lights shimmering above. 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 mountain was part of the scenes north of the wall’ when Jon Snow, The Hound and Jorah Mormont seek to capture an undead wight. 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.
Berskerkjahraun Lavafields A viewing point overlooking the region well marked by a rough and wild lava field called Berserkjahraun. The lavafield dates back to a volcanic eruption that took place 4000 years ago and has a brutal story to tell, well preserved in one of the Icelandic Sagas.
Bus Travel Iceland your gateway to Snæfellsnes Bus Travel Iceland is the best starting point for all Iceland lovers interested to discover it on a day tours. Bus Travel Iceland offer Snæfellsnes Peninsula Tours in two varieties, as classic big bus tour and small group option. Both tours unvail the wonder of this magical area in one day, perfect for those wishing to see all of what Iceland has to offer. Snæfellsnes is most often known for one very special mountain called Kirkjufell. Often referred to as the Church Mountain, Kirkjufell claims to be the most photographed mountain in Iceland and the chances are that you have seen this beauty on your screens before in Season 7 of Game Of Thrones. Fear not though, the liklehood of coming across a white walker are thankfully pretty slim . Before Bus Travel Iceland tour get to the adventuring part of day they first need to get you out of the city. This is where Bus Travel Iceland fast and efficient pick up service comes in. Just tell them where you are staying or the location of the nearest pick up point to your accommodation and Bus Travel Iceland busses will come and get you. When everyone is aboard they will immediately begin northward journey, passing by the famous Mt. Esja and around the Faxaflói Bay onwards to volcanic Snæfellsnes Peninsula.