Snæfellsnes Peninsula & Kirkjufell Day Trip from Reykjavik

Kirkjufell mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss

Kirkjufell, meaning Church Mountain, is a steep, arrow-shaped peak of about 463 metres beside the fishing town of Grundarfjörður. It is one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland, and the view of the peak with the small Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls in the foreground is the classic image of the peninsula.

On the Snæfellsnes Kirkjufell day trip from Reykjavik you stop long enough to walk to the viewpoint and take photos. The mountain looks different in each season, with snow in winter and green slopes in summer. If you are asking how to get to Kirkjufell without a car, a guided coach tour is the simplest way because the drive from Reykjavik takes a couple of hours each way.

Snæfellsjökull National Park

At the western tip of the peninsula stands Snæfellsjökull, a 1,446-metre stratovolcano capped by a glacier. It is the setting for Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth, in which the heroes enter the volcano's crater, and it is at the heart of Snæfellsjökull National Park. On a clear day, the glacier can be seen from Reykjavik across the bay.

The park protects lava fields, cliffs, caves and beaches, and locals speak of its special energy. The guide explains the geology and the legends. Weather can hide the summit, so the photographs depend on the day, but the coastal landscape is worth the journey either way.

Black beaches, cliffs and Arnarstapi

The south coast of the peninsula has black sand and pebble beaches, basalt cliffs and rock arches. Around Arnarstapi and Hellnar, a coastal path crosses lava formations and passes sea cliffs where seabirds nest in summer. Djúpalónssandur is a black pebble beach with old lifting stones that fishermen used to test their strength.

Exact stops on the day can change with weather and road conditions, but your guide always chooses the best places for photographs and short walks. Wear sturdy shoes and be careful near cliff edges and waves.

The drive from Reykjavik and a fishing village

The route leaves Reykjavik through the Hvalfjörður area and reaches the peninsula after about two hours, passing lava fields and mountain ranges. Along the way the guide tells stories of Icelandic sagas, elves and fishing life. You also visit a traditional fishing village with harbour, small houses and coastal views, where there may be time to buy a snack, although food is not included.

The day is long, about eleven hours in total, so bring layers and a flask. This trip is a good choice if you want the landscape of the west of Iceland without the crowds of the Golden Circle.