Snæfellsjökull Glacier

Basic Information

Glacier Covered Volcano
Center of the Earth.

Considered a sweet escape from the daily hustle and bustle of life, Iceland has magnificent surprises for you if you enjoy relishing the natural beauty. One such beautiful feather in the hat of Iceland is Snæfellsjökull glacier. 1446 m above sea level, Snæfellsjökull glacier is believed to be built up through multiple eruptions that happened through the last eight lakh years. Snæfellsjökull is a glacier-covered volcano found on the tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in west Iceland. For centuries, Snæfellsjökull glacier has been looked upon as one of the world’s ancient power sites. It is also considered a source of mysticism, energy, and mystery for the peninsula’s superstitious locals.

Explore around Snæfellsjökull Glacier

Snæfellsnesjokull peak is a wonderland of great geothermal activity. It is peppered with charming little fishing villages and extraordinary sights with clear Danish influence, both culturally and architecture-wise. Snæfellsjökull is the most famous glacier in Iceland; it dominates the landscape of the peninsula and you can ascend to its top, with otherworldly views being the reward. On most days, this staggering glacier can be seen from the capital and its surroundings, where it appears to rise in all its glory exclusively from the ocean. You can engage in bird watching here. Locally, the mountain is called ‘Snæfell’, due to the snowfall. Though the ‘jökull’ (Glacier) is often attached with the name to help differentiate it from other mountains of the same name. The glacier is surrounded by the national park of the same name, Snæfellsjokull National Park. The park is established to protect and conserve the area’s unique landscape, indigenous plant and animal life as well as important historical relics. This park is to let the visitors get acquainted with the history and anecdotes related to the place. So if you are intrigued about Iceland’s ancient history, this is a place for you where you can plan a tour on the Snæfellsnes peninsula.

You can find great guided tours that will take you around Snæfellsnes Peninsula, but it is also a great idea to go self driving and explore all the natural attractions on your own. Rolling farmlands will be waiting for you as soon as you begin your trip to Snæfellsnes. You will come across a picturesque location for you to capture on your lens.

The basalt columns called Lóndrangar can be an amazing addition to the tour. Many compare them to the beautiful castles because of their tall and striking stature. You can check out a marvelous black beach, Djúpalónssandur, the cliffs of which are home to many nesting seabirds. Hikers who are looking for some adventure should make a stop here to indulge in some bird watching and enjoying breathtaking visuals from the cliffs.

Best Season to Visit Snæfellsjökull Glacier

Winters are considered a good season to visit Snæfellsjökull glacier. Although you would consistently have to follow weather forecasts as winters in Iceland are unreliable. You would have to pack warm clothes and strong boots as you would have to walk a lot on uneven terrains. If you want to go up on the glacier you will have to book a guided tour, but you can see great views of the glacier on your self driving trip. Driving on the glacier is prohibited for those who do not have permits from the park ranger.

Where to Stay near Snæfellsjökull Glacier

There are numerous guest houses and hotels near Snæfellsjökull glacier that you can choose to stay in. The Freezer Hostel and Culture Centre has perks like free wifi and parking. Apart from that, it has a nightlife set up where you can enjoy live music with your travel partners. They have dormitories and rooms available on a sharing basis. Við Hafið Guest House is at a distance of 11 kilometers from Snæfellsjökull national park. The rooms and dorms are ocean-facing, so it would make for a perplexing stay as you can devour the view of the ocean from your bed. Communal kitchen and TV lounge are also available here. Set amidst the picturesque mountains, Arnarstapi Cottages will also be an excellent choice if you want to be near mountains. The best part is that the cottages are separate, so you would have complete privacy. There are camping grounds too and they are great during the summers. During the winter they are not a great option, because the weather can turn at a moment’s notice in Iceland.