Route 1 and Beyond - A Self-Drive Guide to Iceland

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula and West Iceland

De: John Lloyd

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Just a couple of hours away from Reykjavík, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula presents a fantastic combination of photogenic mountains, plunging waterfalls, ancient lava fields and a gigantic glacier-topped volcano.

You can find all of Iceland’s best features here, and Snæfellsnes is often described as “Iceland in Miniature”.
Almost a Ring Road of its own, this 200-kilometre loop is a gorgeous sampler of what Iceland offers.

When Jules Verne wrote “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” the Snæfellsnes Peninsula was his inspiration.

The story tells of a German geologist following a coded map drawn by the famous Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson and descending into ancient lava tubes at the foot of the mighty Snæfellsjökull volcano.

Even now, many believe that Snæfellsnes, which translates as the “Snow Mountain Peninsula,” is a mystical place, one of the many “chakra” centres on the planet.

Your own magical journey will take you past many isolated farms to the Snæfellsjökull National Park, the only coastal park in the country, and a range of jagged mountains that runs along its length.

Fringed by a beautiful coastal road that snakes its way through crunchy lava fields, a Snæfellsnes road trip will skirt the frosty bulk of the sleeping Snæfellsjökull stratovolcano.

Snæfellsnes has many other stunning sights, including Kirkjufell, the “Church Mountain”, which will be familiar to “Game of Thrones” fans.

One of the most photographed mountains in the world, this picturesque peak stands proudly alone in a sweeping bay near the village of Grundarfjörður on the peninsula’s north side.

It’s a must-see for every visitor to Snæfellsnes!

West Iceland might look close to the modern-day capital city of Reykjavík on the map, easily reached with just a couple of hours of driving.

But to come here is to take a thrilling trip back in time deep into the Viking heartlands, a realm thick with folklore and legend.

Here you’ll see untamed landscapes that bring Icelandic history to life, including hidden waterfalls, unique canyon baths, powerful hot springs and medieval heritage sites.

Vesturland is the setting for many epic Icelandic Sagas, incredible stories of bitter battles and family feuds.

The history and culture of those fascinating characters still linger to this day, setting the timeless tone and atmosphere of Sagaland.

The warmer weather, welcoming grassy valleys, and the shelter provided by the abundant forests of Borgarfjörður led to this region becoming the site for many early Viking settlements.

There are some remarkable geological features here, including the Víðgelmir Cave. Nearby lies Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe.

As for waterfalls, West Iceland is home to Glymur, the tallest cascade in the country, although it’s not a simple sight to see, lying deep inland and requiring a challenging hike.

Hraunfossar (the Lava Falls) is much easier to visit. Unlike most Icelandic waterfalls, the waters cascade gently from the middle of moss-covered lava cliffs into the Hvítá river.

Nearby is Barnafoss (the Children’s Falls), a more forceful waterfall. Local legend suggests it was named after two children who fell to their deaths when they tried to cross the waters over a natural stone arch.

In the low-lying grasslands between the glaciers and lava fields lies Húsafell, a green oasis filled with medieval history.

Reykholt was once the home of Snorri Sturluson, who was amongst the first to record Icelandic folklore and thought to be the author of “Egill’s Saga”.

Here’s what you’ll find if you explore the Silver Circle!