Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HIKING THE COAST: BETWEEN ANARSTAPI & HELLNAR
Local maps detail myriad hiking trails connecting the sights of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
One of the most popular (and scenic!) is the 2.5km coastal walk (around 40 minutes)
between Hellnar and Arnarstapi. This slender trail follows the jagged coastline through a
nature reserve, passing lava flows and eroded stone caves. During tumultuous weather,
waves spray through the rocky arches; when it's fine, look for nesting seabirds.
Arnarstapi
Linked to Hellnar by both the main road and a wonderful coastal hike, this hamlet of sum-
mer cottages is nestled between the churning Arctic waters and the gnarled pillars of two
neighbouring lava fields. A
monument
pays tribute to Jules Verne and a comical signpost
measures distances to major cities via the earth's core. A second, enormous troll-like
monument
stands as a tribute to Bárður, the region's guardian spirit, and the leading char-
acter in a local saga.
Arnarstapi is the best place to organise an ascent to the Snæfellsjökull glacial crown,
though some tour companies come in from Reykjavík (such as
Arctic Adventures
)
.
FROM ARNARSTAPI TOWARDS THE GLACIER
If you drive up the F570 from Arnarstapi, you'll pass
Stapafell
(526m), home to the local
little people, and you'll see miniature house gables painted onto rocks in their honour.
Further along you'll pass a collapsed crater, which created a series of lava caves about
1.5km from the main road. The largest cave is
Sönghellir
(Song Cave), which is full of
18th-century graffiti and is rumoured to resound with the songs of dwarfs. Bring a torch
to read the various markings and don't be shy about belting out your favourite melody.
Tours
Cave Vatnshellir
and
Gordon
offer tours of the Snæfellsjökull glacier.
Go West!
ADVENTURE TOUR, CYCLING
