Arnarstapi was an important trading post in the past and had a much bigger population than it has now. 
Columnar basalt, ravines and grottoes surround the Arnarstapi pier. There is good anchorage for small boats.

There is quite a large arctic tern colony in the village itself. A walk along the coastline is recommended to watch the birds and the magnificent lava formations. 

A sculpture of Bardur Snaefellsas by Ragnar Kjartansson stands by the beach at Arnarstapi.

Seaside and cliffs
The seaside and the cliffs between Arnastapi and Hellnar have been made a Natural Reserve in 1979. A very interesting old path follows the coastline where you can see old lending places of fishermen, lots of birds like the kittiwake, the Arctic tern and the fulmar and pass through a lavafield. If you take a guided tour, you will f.ex also hear a ghost story.
Other places of interest in the area Olkelda mineral spring ,  Djupalonssandur & Dritvik ,  Snaefellsjokull glacier ,  Londrangar basalt cliffs ,  Saxholl crater ,  Stadarstadur ,  Ytri Tunga ,  Bardarlaug pool ,  Hellnar ,  Fiskibyrgi ,  Stapafell ,  Songhellir, cave

Barnafoss - Children's Falls - takes its name from two children who disappeared many, many years ago from the nearby farm Hraunsas.

There was a rock arch over the waterfall and the children are believed to have fallen off it into the river. Their grieving mother destroyed the arch and put a curse on the falls that nobody would ever be able to cross the river on such a rock arch and live, so don't even try!

Barnafoss has been a protected site since 1987.

A short trail leads from the car park to Barnafoss.
A coffee shop by the waterfalls is open during the summer months.
Other places of interest in the area Deildartunguhver thermal spring ,  Lava Waterfalls ,  Surtshellir Cave ,  Vidgelmir cave ,  Langjokull Glacier ,  Reykholt

Deildartunguhver is Europe's most powerful hot spring. It provides at the moment 200 l/sec of 100°C hot water.

Most of the water used for central heating in the towns of Borgarnes and Akranes is taken from Deildartunguhver. The hot water pipeline to Akranes is 64 km long, the longest in Iceland and the water is about 78 - 80 degrees when it reaches Akranes.

If you took a shower anywhere within a 65 km radius of the spring, you have most certainly used the hot water from this powerful spring!!

Look for the bright green "skollakampi" or hard fern (Blechnum spicant), quite common in other countries, but found only in this area of Iceland, thanks to the permanent warmth and humidity. Other places of interest in the area Troll Waterfalls ,  Lava Waterfalls ,  Glanni Waterfall ,  Paradise Hollow ,  Grabrok Crater ,  Borg ,  Reykholt ,  Barnafoss, Children's Falls ,  Hvanneyri ,  Hafnarfjall mountain

Djupalonssandur is a beautiful pebbled beach, with a series of rocks of mysterious form emerging from the ocean. It is one of the few areas that lead down to the sea along this coast with its high dramatic cliffs.  Watch out for the famous ghosts roaming the place! The rests of a shipwreck can be seen on the beach.

On the beach there are also 4 big stones which people tried to lift and test their strength in the days of the fishing stations: Fully Strong 154 kg, Half-Strong 100 kg, Weakling 54 kg and Bungler 23 kg.

Weakling marked the frontier of wimphood, any man who couldn't lift it was deemed unsuitable for a life as a fisherman.

  Other places of interest in the area Olkelda mineral spring ,  Snaefellsjokull glacier ,  Londrangar basalt cliffs ,  Holaholar Crater Area ,  Kirkjufell mountain ,  Saxholl crater ,  Hallgrim's Church ,  Ytri Tunga ,  Gatklettur - Arch Rock ,  Bardarlaug pool ,  Arnarstapi ,  Hellnar ,  Ingjaldshóll ,  Fiskibyrgi ,  Stapafell ,  Songhellir, cave

Flatey means "flat island". The old houses, shops and warehouse buildings on Flatey reflect the optimism and development of the period around 1900.

In former times, the island was important both as a fishing centre and as the hub of commercial life of the Breidafjordur area. Traders from the Hanseatic League in Germany ran a trading post here. The first Icelandic trader received a temporary licence in 1589, and in 1777 Flatey received a charter as a town.

Flateyjarbok, (the Book of Flatey), one of the most important and impressive of the ancient Icelandic saga manuscripts, was preserved on Flatey in the Middle Ages. A photocopy reproduction is on display in the library (the oldest one in Iceland, built in 1864 in the heyday of Flatey’s prosperity.)

The church on Flatey dates from 1926. The frescoes in the apse were painted by Kristjana and Baltasar Samper and are based on the local landscape and traditional occupations.

Flatey has been an inspiration to many artists and the film "The Bridegroom" (Brudguminn) by Baltasar Kormákur was filmed on Flatey in 2007.

Hotel, guesthouse and  restaurant. Other places of interest in the area Helgafell Holy Mountain ,  Drapuhlidarfjall Mountain

Gatklettur - Arch Rock - is a cliff with a circular arch.

Rock Arch shows how distinctive wave action has eroded the rocks into arches and beautifurl swirled patterns. 
There is great birdlife around the cliffs and pretty flora surrounding the area. Other places of interest in the area Djupalonssandur & Dritvik ,  Snaefellsjokull glacier ,  Londrangar basalt cliffs ,  Holaholar Crater Area ,  Ytri Tunga ,  Bardarlaug pool ,  Ingjaldshóll ,  Fiskibyrgi ,  Songhellir, cave

Glanni is an impressive waterfall in Nordura River. Nearby is Paradise Hollow, a beautiful small oasis.

Just before coming to Bifrost village you take a right turn by the sign post Glanni and pass a 9-hole golf course named after the waterfall Glanni.

From the car park there is a marked path to a viewing point over the waterfall. A coffee shop is at the car park, open from mid-May to mid-September. Other places of interest in the area Deildartunguhver thermal spring ,  Paradise Hollow ,  Grabrok Crater ,  Reykholt ,  Baula

Iceland´s highest waterfall, 198 m.  A fabulous hiking path leads up to the waterfall and should only be attempted by those not daunted by heights or challenging hikes. Duration about 2 hours. Glymur is in the river Botnsa that runs out of Hvalvatn (Whale Water), which is a lake formed by molten lava, some 160 m deep. The second deepest lake in Iceland.

The name "Glymur" which means boom or rumble, comes from the natural  sound of water falling far down into a narrow chasm creating excellent acoustics. Other places of interest in the area Laxness Museum ,  Staupasteinn ,  Whale station in Hvalfjordur ,  Whale Fjord ,  Geirsholmi

Gudrun´s Bath in Sælingsdal is the oldest natural geothermal pool according to the sagas, but it disappeared in the 19th century because of a landslide. The pool was said to be wholesome and used a lot as bathing pool in the old days, as mentioned in the Icelandic sagas Laxdæla and Sturlungu.

Now a replica of this old bath has been built and also a locker room where it is possible to change clothes. Please be careful as the water temperature in the pool may vary suddenly. Entering the pool is on own responsibility. Entrance is free of charge.  Other places of interest in the area Eirik the Red´s homestead. ,  Krossholaborg ,  Hvammur ,  Laugar in Saelingsdal ,  Klofningsfjall ,  Dagverdarnes ,  Jorfi

Holy Mountain, 73 m with a breathtaking panoramic view across Breiðafjordur Bay. A viewing dial is at the top.

Folklore advises anyone climbing the mountain for the first time to start north of the church at the grave of Gudrun Osvifursdottir (heroine of Laxdaela Saga, died 1008) and three wishes will be granted when ascending the mountain without looking back or speaking. The wishes have to be of good intent, and the wisher tells no one and faces east when making them!

A small remnant of a wall on the mountain top is dated 1184 and was part of a nearby monastery built at this time. Other places of interest in the area Kirkjufell mountain ,  Flatey Island ,  Drapuhlidarfjall Mountain

Hraunfossar - Lava Falls- are beautiful and unusual natural phenomena. Clear, cold springs of subterranean water seep through the lava and run as tiny waterfalls and rapids into the Hvita River.

Hraunfossar have been protected since 1987.

There is a viewpoint at the car park offering an amazing view over the Lava Falls and Hvita River.
A coffee shop at the waterfalls is open during the summer months.

Other places of interest in the area Deildartunguhver thermal spring ,  Troll Waterfalls ,  Surtshellir Cave ,  Vidgelmir cave ,  Langjokull Glacier ,  Reykholt ,  Barnafoss, Children's Falls

Snæfellsjokull Glacier - the beautiful magnet of the Peninsula, 1446 m. It is an active volcano and provided the setting for Jules Verne’s famous book “Journey to the Centre of The Earth”.  Many believe the Glacier to be one of the seven main energy centres of the earth and its mystique is noticed by many. Undisputedly the main attraction of the National Park.

Excursions onto the Glacier are offered from the village Arnarstapi on the southern side.  The magnificent view from the top extends to Reykjanes Peninsula on the south side and the West Fjords on the north side as well as over the mountains of Snæfellsnes to the east. Other places of interest in the area Olkelda mineral spring ,  Djupalonssandur & Dritvik ,  Londrangar basalt cliffs ,  Holaholar Crater Area ,  Kirkjufell mountain ,  Saxholl crater ,  Stadarstadur ,  Ytri Tunga ,  Gatklettur - Arch Rock ,  Bardarlaug pool ,  Arnarstapi ,  Hellnar ,  Ingjaldshóll ,  Fiskibyrgi ,  Stapafell ,  Songhellir, cave

Whale Fjord (Hvalfjord) is 30km long and 84m deep.

Whale Fjord was the site of much British and US military activity during World War II. Some ruins from this period can still be seen in the fjord.

Hotel Glymur in Hvalfjordur offers WW II storytelling trips. Other places of interest in the area Glymur Waterfall ,  Hallgrim's Church ,  Akrafjall Mountain ,  Laxness Museum ,  Staupasteinn ,  Whale station in Hvalfjordur ,  Geirsholmi ,  Hafnarfjall mountain

Akrafjall is a picturesque mountain close to Akranes.
The mountain was smoothed on the top by a glacier and surrounded by water during the Ice Age.

The mountain offers one of the best views in West Iceland across Faxafloi Bay and a panoramic view from Reykjanes to Snaefellsjokull Glacier.

It is easy to ascend the mountain from the Akranes Water Works car park, where a sign points the way to Haihnukur (555m), the shoulder on the right side of the mountain seen from Akranes. A visitor's book is at the top. A somewhat longer hike takes you to the highest peak in the range, Geirmundartindur (643m).
Other places of interest in the area Hallgrim's Church ,  Whale station in Hvalfjordur ,  Whale Fjord ,  Geirsholmi ,  Hafnarfjall mountain

Bardarlaug at Hellnar is a crater pool and  said to have been the bathing pool of the Bardur Snaefellsas.  This demi-troll, instead of dying like ordinary people, made his home in the Snaefellsjökul glacier according to local legend. 

Bardur is the patron of the glacier and was said to have had psychic abilities, being able to communicate with the hidden people.

A big statue of Bardur by the artist Ragnar Kjartansson
is to be seen at Arnarstapi Other places of interest in the area Olkelda mineral spring ,  Djupalonssandur & Dritvik ,  Snaefellsjokull glacier ,  Londrangar basalt cliffs ,  Holaholar Crater Area ,  Stadarstadur ,  Ytri Tunga ,  Gatklettur - Arch Rock ,  Arnarstapi ,  Hellnar ,  Ingjaldshóll ,  Fiskibyrgi ,  Stapafell ,  Songhellir, cave

A beautifully-formed crater rising 60m above the surrounding lava. The spatter cone is the largest crater along a short volcanic rift, 200 m in diameter and 50 m deep.

Its last eruption was about 5000-6000 years ago.  According to medieval chronics there was also one around the time of the colonisation of Iceland about 1000 years ago, but today it is known that it came from another of the many craters of the valley Hnappadalur which are part of the volcanic system Ljósufjöll, the mountains of the light.

It is easiest to approach Eldborg from Snorrastadir on its southern side, walking 2,5 km through the shrub-covered lava field. It is possible to walk all the way around the crater as well as up it.

Other places of interest in the area Gerduberg basalt columns ,  Longufjorur Beach ,  Borg

During the Sturlung Age 1220 - 1264, a company of men led by Svarthofdi Dufguson, a follower of Sturla Sighvatsson used the island Geirsholmi as a base for raiding the surrounding countryside.

The tourist service at Bjarteyjarsandur nearby offers storytelling trips about Geirsholmi. Other places of interest in the area Glymur Waterfall ,  Hallgrim's Church ,  Akrafjall Mountain ,  Laxness Museum ,  Staupasteinn ,  Whale station in Hvalfjordur ,  Whale Fjord

The largest of three craters in a short volcanic fissure, part of the Ljósufjöll volcanic system.

The scenery over Borgarfjordur is magnificent from the top of the Grabrok crater.

Mt. Grabrok can be ascended by a marked trail from the main Ring road no. 1.
Other places of interest in the area Deildartunguhver thermal spring ,  Glanni Waterfall ,  Paradise Hollow ,  Reykholt ,  Baula

Holaholar 113 m, an ancient crater area also believed to be an elf town/community.

A track passes through the wall of Berudalur Valley and into a natural amphitheatre inside the cone. A very gentle sloping lava hill, a hike to the top is easy and fun.  Other places of interest in the area Djupalonssandur & Dritvik ,  Snaefellsjokull glacier ,  Londrangar basalt cliffs ,  Saxholl crater ,  Gatklettur - Arch Rock ,  Bardarlaug pool ,  Ingjaldshóll ,  Fiskibyrgi ,  Stapafell ,  Songhellir, cave

Langjokull Glacier, the second largest glacier in Iceland, is approximately 18 km from Husafell (tourist resort).

Excursions onto the glacier are offered from the base of the glacier.  On a clear day the view from the glacier is beyond compare. Other places of interest in the area Lava Waterfalls ,  Surtshellir Cave ,  Vidgelmir cave ,  Reykholt ,  Barnafoss, Children's Falls

At the farm Olkelda, near Stadarstadar, in the south of Snaefellsnes, there is a mineral spring with carbonated water.  Mineral springs are said to have healing properties, so feel free to take a sip.

The farmhouse is named Olkelda which means mineral spring in Icelandic. Other places of interest in the area Gerduberg basalt columns ,  Longufjorur Beach ,  Djupalonssandur & Dritvik ,  Snaefellsjokull glacier ,  Saxholl crater ,  Stadarstadur ,  Ytri Tunga ,  Bardarlaug pool ,  Arnarstapi ,  Hellnar

The beach near the abandoned farm of  Ytri Tunga is well-known for its seal colony. The seals are friendly and curious and will climb up on the rocks near the sandy beach. Sometimes you have to be patient and wait for them. The best time to see seals is in June and July.

A beautiful, serene cove with a wonderful view of the Snaefellsjokull Glacier.
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Other places of interest in the area Olkelda mineral spring ,  Longufjorur Beach ,  Djupalonssandur & Dritvik ,  Snaefellsjokull glacier ,  Londrangar basalt cliffs ,  Kirkjufell mountain ,  Stadarstadur ,  Gatklettur - Arch Rock ,  Bardarlaug pool ,  Arnarstapi ,  Hellnar

This well-known landmark for Grundarfjordur is believed by many to be the most beautiful mountain in Iceland. A hiking path around the base of the mountain offers amazing views and varied bird life. This is a perfect walk for families and takes about 3 hrs.  It is 463m high and should be climbed with care.

  Other places of interest in the area Djupalonssandur & Dritvik ,  Snaefellsjokull glacier ,  Helgafell Holy Mountain ,  Ytri Tunga

Saxholl is a crater which is easy to climb.  There is a great view over the area from the top. Other places of interest in the area Olkelda mineral spring ,  Djupalonssandur & Dritvik ,  Snaefellsjokull glacier ,  Londrangar basalt cliffs ,  Holaholar Crater Area ,  Arnarstapi ,  Hellnar ,  Ingjaldshóll ,  Fiskibyrgi ,  Stapafell ,  Songhellir, cave

Ari-the-Wise served as a priest at Stadarstadur from 1067 - 1148. He is well-known for his Book of Icelanders, the first work of history written in Iceland.

The place is also the setting of a very known novel by the Nobel price winning Icelandic author Halldor Kiljan Laxness: "Under the glacier". Other places of interest in the area Olkelda mineral spring ,  Longufjorur Beach ,  Snaefellsjokull glacier ,  Ytri Tunga ,  Bardarlaug pool ,  Arnarstapi ,  Hellnar

The Troll Waterfalls of the Grimsa river. There is a clear formation in the form of a troll face in the cliff by the river bank. An extraordinary view and good spot to see the Skessuhorn mountain peak.
 
Excellent for witnessing jumping salmon in the summer. Other places of interest in the area Deildartunguhver thermal spring ,  Lava Waterfalls ,  Reykholt ,  Hvanneyri

The cave Vidgelmir is believed to be one of the largest lava caves in the world. It is 148,000 cubic meters in size.

Vidgelmir is a weird cavern of stalactites and stalagmites versus dripping icicles. 

The cave is open to the public for the first 70 m only.  It was declared a protected site in 1991.

Other places of interest in the area Lava Waterfalls ,  Surtshellir Cave ,  Langjokull Glacier ,  Barnafoss, Children's Falls

Baula is a volcanic mountain of a very special pyramidic form. It measures 934 m in height. The mountain is a 3 million years old intrusion, consisting of liparit stone.

For people in good shape, it is well possible to hike up on the mountain. But its sides are very steep and there are big and loose stones on the way.

On the other hand, the view of the top is very rewarding and you can write into a guestbook there. Other places of interest in the area Glanni Waterfall ,  Paradise Hollow ,  Grabrok Crater ,  Reykholt

Takes its name“Breakfast Ness“ from the fact that Auður the Deep-minded, one of the first settlers,  stopped to rest there one morning while searching for a place to make her home.
Other places of interest in the area Eirik the Red´s homestead. ,  Krossholaborg ,  Hvammur ,  Laugar in Saelingsdal ,  Klofningsfjall ,  Skard ,  Guðrun's Bath

Drapuhlidarfjall Mountain is beautifully colourful. It is composed of sulphur, basalt, jasper, rhyolite and lignite. As usual with lignite deposits, fossiled plants and petrified wood can be found.
 
Drapuhlidafjall is 527 m  high and lies south - west of Stykkisholmur on road no. 54.

Other places of interest in the area Helgafell Holy Mountain ,  Flatey Island

An impressive wall of beautiful basalt columns, forming geometric patterns in the cliffs. Other places of interest in the area Eldborg Crater ,  Olkelda mineral spring ,  Longufjorur Beach ,  Borg

The mountain Hafnarfjall near Borgarnes is part of the same extinguished central volcano as Skardsheidi and also about 4 million years old. The mountain is 844 m in height and its sides are rather eroded.

Most of the mountain consists of balsalt, but on the north side there is a small crag  which is made of granofyr. The name "flatfish" indicates its form. Let the children discover it!

On the foot of the mountain is a small forest of birch trees where the authorities of Iceland practice reforestation.

It is possible to hike up the mountain beginning near the bridge over the fjord at Borgarnes. Other places of interest in the area Deildartunguhver thermal spring ,  Hallgrim's Church ,  Borg ,  Reykholt ,  Akrafjall Mountain ,  Whale station in Hvalfjordur ,  Whale Fjord ,  Bjössaróló ,  Hvanneyri

For centuries, Hellnar was among the largest fishing villages beneath the Snaefellsjokull ice cap.

Valasnos, a freestanding rock, extends east of the bay. One of Iceland's most peculiar caves, Badstofa, is there. It is known for its special light exposure and colourful interior.

A cold water spring is to be found at the lava’s edge. It is dedicated to the Holy Virgin, because it is said she had appeared here once.
 
The Hellnar church was built in 1945 on a picturesque site where a church was first raised in 1833.

Hotel, café and visitor´s Centre of the Nationalpark Snæfellsjökull.

 

Other places of interest in the area Olkelda mineral spring ,  Djupalonssandur & Dritvik ,  Snaefellsjokull glacier ,  Londrangar basalt cliffs ,  Saxholl crater ,  Stadarstadur ,  Ytri Tunga ,  Bardarlaug pool ,  Arnarstapi ,  Fiskibyrgi ,  Stapafell ,  Songhellir, cave

Panoramic view over Breiðafjördur Bay, Snæfellsnes and Barðaströnd. Viewing dial.

It is possible to hike up the mountain f.ex. from the farm Stakkaberg. Other places of interest in the area Eirik the Red´s homestead. ,  Krossholaborg ,  Hvammur ,  Laugar in Saelingsdal ,  Skard ,  Dagverdarnes ,  Guðrun's Bath

Uniquely-formed remnants of  ancient basalt volcanic dikes sticking out from the sea. 
 
Londrangar and the hill Svalthúfa are the remains of a crater, which has been eroded to its present form by the sea. The farmers in the area never made or make hay on the hill, because it is said to belong to the elves living in the area.

Younger lava fields surround this old crater ruin. The higher pillar (75m) was first climbed in 1735 and the lower (61 m) in 1938. 
The lighthouse was built in 1917 and rebuilt in 1946.

Below the hill you may find Thufubjarg cliff where according to a folktale the poet Kolbeinn Jöklaskáld had an encounter with the Devil.

On these cliffs, puffins and fulmars have their nests. Other places of interest in the area Djupalonssandur & Dritvik ,  Snaefellsjokull glacier ,  Holaholar Crater Area ,  Saxholl crater ,  Ytri Tunga ,  Gatklettur - Arch Rock ,  Bardarlaug pool ,  Arnarstapi ,  Hellnar ,  Fiskibyrgi ,  Stapafell ,  Songhellir, cave

Longufjorur is a light sandy beach on the south shore of Snaefellsnes peninsula. This beach is perfect for horseriding with a guide. Other places of interest in the area Eldborg Crater ,  Gerduberg basalt columns ,  Olkelda mineral spring ,  Borg ,  Stadarstadur ,  Ytri Tunga

Paradise Hollow is a beautiful small oasis near the impressive waterfall Glanni.

There is a walking path from the car park to Paradise Hollow and the waterfall. A viewing deck offers a good view of the Glanni waterfall.   A coffee shop is open from mid-May to mid-September. Other places of interest in the area Deildartunguhver thermal spring ,  Glanni Waterfall ,  Grabrok Crater ,  Reykholt ,  Baula

Stapafell is a volcanic mountain on the south side of Snæfellsjökull.  This palagonitic pyramide is 526 m in height og rather eroded at the sides.

On the top of the mountain is Fellskross, which was a sign of holy powers at the times of the vikings. It is said that the mountain is home of hidden people, also called elfes. Other places of interest in the area Djupalonssandur & Dritvik ,  Snaefellsjokull glacier ,  Londrangar basalt cliffs ,  Holaholar Crater Area ,  Saxholl crater ,  Bardarlaug pool ,  Arnarstapi ,  Hellnar ,  Fiskibyrgi ,  Songhellir, cave

A goblet-shaped rock and popular resting place for tourists. Close to Hvammsvik on the old national road around Whale Fjord. 

An elf by the name of Staupa-Steinn has his home in this rock.  Not everyone can see him. He is described as having long hair, a beard and being a kind, gentle man who loves to play ball with children who are picnicking in the area.

Beautiful view. Protected since 1974 Other places of interest in the area Glymur Waterfall ,  Hallgrim's Church ,  Whale station in Hvalfjordur ,  Whale Fjord ,  Geirsholmi

Surtshellir is Iceland´s most well-known lavacave, once inhabited by outlaws and sheep rustlers. It is an enormous lava tube which is easily explored if the right gear is used.

The cave is 1310 m long and 8 - 10 m high, but at the west end it is only 2 - 4 m high. Walking in the cave is made more difficult by large rocks that have fallen from the roof.  The interior of the cave contains "lavacicles" and ice formations. Other places of interest in the area Lava Waterfalls ,  Vidgelmir cave ,  Langjokull Glacier ,  Barnafoss, Children's Falls