What to see and do in Snæfellsjökull?
1) Cross Snæfellsjökull National Park to the glacier-capped volcano
At the heart of Snæfellsjökull is a volcano crowned with ice, visible on clear days like a white beacon above the lava fields. Along the way, the light catches on green moss and black scoria, then the landscape becomes starker, quieter, more rugged. From the viewpoints around Arnarstapi and Hellnar, you can read the landscape like an open book, its layers, lava flows and cliffs laid out before you.
With a local guide, you can walk on the glacier’s slopes when conditions allow, crampons on your boots, your breath sharp in the cold air. The geological story becomes something you feel underfoot, snow crunches, and the wind carries a salty scent from the ocean.
2) Follow the cliffs between Arnarstapi and Hellnar
The Arnarstapi-Hellnar coastal trail is one of Iceland’s most beautiful walks if you want to feel the Atlantic up close. Basalt rock forms columns, arches, and spires, while waves crash below with a deep rumble. You walk beside Arctic flowers, between soft moss and stones polished by salt.
Halfway along, keep your eyes open for Arctic terns, fulmars, and sometimes puffins on the ledges in season. Take your time. The walk isn’t long, but every turn reveals a new scene. In Hellnar, a bowl of hot soup in a small café facing the sea is the perfect way to end the experience.
3) See Kirkjufell and its waterfalls at sunrise or sunset
Kirkjufell is an iconic cone-shaped mountain near Grundarfjörður, with the small Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls in the foreground. At dawn or late in the day, when low light turns the grass golden and the water blue, the place feels almost unreal. You hear the waterfall before you see it, a lively stream contrasting with the mountain’s dark outline.
Come outside peak hours to enjoy the quiet, especially in summer. In winter, snow redraws the mountain’s curves and, with a little luck, the northern lights appear above the summit. A local guide who's also a photographer can help you be in the right place at the right time, without stepping on fragile areas.
4) Explore the black beach of Djúpalónssandur and its polished pebbles
Djúpalónssandur is a beach of coal-black pebbles, round and smooth in your palm, with a constant roar rolling in from the open sea. The wind carries the smell of seaweed, and volcanic cliffs close off the horizon, a raw setting that makes you feel very small. On the sand, you’ll also spot pieces of rusted metal, remains of a shipwreck.
Try the traditional lifting stones, once used to test sailors’ strength, then follow the small paths between lava formations. Here, you don’t swim. You watch, you listen, and you respect the ocean, powerful and unpredictable.
5) Visit a lava cave near Vatnshellir
A lava cave like Vatnshellir takes you straight into underground Iceland. The air turns cool all at once, and your lamp reveals twisted red and black walls, frozen in place by an ancient lava flow. You move slowly, wearing a helmet, across uneven ground while learning how the tunnel formed, then emptied, leaving behind this stone cathedral.
Local guides manage access to protect the site and adapt the visit, which is paid and must be guided by a professional, depending on the season. The experience is short but memorable, ideal for families with curious kids, or when the weather turns outside, without losing any of Iceland’s magic.
Our tips for discovering Snæfellsjökull
Is it possible to climb Snæfellsjökull, and how difficult is the ascent?
Yes, you can climb Snæfellsjökull, but it’s a true glacier outing. The difficulty ranges from moderate to demanding depending on conditions, the route, and your experience, with elevation gain, biting wind, and visibility that can suddenly disappear in fog.
In practice, expect a full day of hiking, often six to ten hours, on snow and ice, with crampons, an ice axe, and roped glacier travel, since crevasses do exist. The biggest challenge is Snæfellsnes weather, which is changeable and cold, even in summer. For most travelers, the safest option is to go with a local guide who can choose the right weather window and adapt the route.
Can you hike around Snæfellsjökull?
Yes, you can hike around Snæfellsjökull, but it depends on what kind of hiking you mean. Around the volcano, marked trails wind between thick moss, lava fields, and salt-tinged views of the Atlantic. Getting onto the ice cap, however, requires a guided glacier outing.
Easy to moderate hikes are mostly found inside the National Park, especially around Saxhóll, a short and very accessible walk, or along the cliffs and beaches of Djúpalónssandur. The summit is a true glacier route, with crevassed terrain, changing weather, crampons, and a guide required. The best season for hiking is June to September, when trails are clear, though you’ll still want a windbreaker even under bright sun.
Where can you see Snæfellsjökull?
The easiest way to see Snæfellsjökull is to drive around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where the glacier-capped volcano appears in glimpses between lava fields and fjords. Some of the best viewpoints are near Arnarstapi and Hellnar, where low light catches the white ice cap above the black cliffs, or from Ytri Tunga Beach, where you can also spot a seal colony at sunset. For a wilder view, head up toward the Vatnaleið mountain pass or stop in Grundarfjörður, with Kirkjufell in the foreground.
Add Snæfellsjökull to a tailor-made Iceland trip
With Evaneos, you’ll connect directly with a local English-speaking expert based in Iceland. They know how to plan around roads that close without warning, the best times to avoid crowds, and the cozy local spots that feel especially good after a windy day outside. You save time and travel with peace of mind, knowing someone is there on the ground.
Your expert will design a tailor-made trip that includes Snæfellsjökull, between lava fields and Atlantic-battered cliffs, while adapting the rest of your itinerary to your interests, pace, and budget. A question, a change of plans, a place you unexpectedly fall in love with, they’ll be there.
