Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell, which literally translates to ‘church mountain’ belongs to the elite club of the ten most beautiful mountains in the world and is also arguably the most-photographed mountain in Iceland. Located in Snaefellsnes peninsula, towards the west, near Arnarstapi and 179 km from the capital, it is 463 meters high and close to the coastal village, Grundarfjörður. 

Kirkjufell, which literally translates to ‘church mountain’ belongs to the elite club of the ten most beautiful mountains in the world and is also arguably the most-photographed mountain in Iceland. Located in Snaefellsnes peninsula, towards the west, near Arnarstapi and 179 km from the capital, it is 463 meters high and close to the coastal village, Grundarfjörður.

The picturesque mountain is not a volcano, but has volcanic rock, as it is a nunatak, which is a mountain that jutted above the glacier during the Ice Age. Geologists believe Kirkjufell was once a strata that held layers of sandstone and Pleistocene lava. Sandstone and quaternary lava constitute the higher regions of the mountain, with tuff on the top, said to hold fossils, sharing its commonalities with Klakki, a mountain nearby. The stunning waterfalls (three in all) Kirkjufellsfoss and a lake are also located close by. Different interesting features give this mountain, which is known to be steepest in Iceland, its distinct character. 

It is said Danish sailors once named this mountain, which is surrounded by other peaks Stöðin, Mýrarhyrna and Hálsvaðall, Sukkertoppen or Sugar Top, as it resembled sugar packaging in those days. Various beautiful hiking trails can also be found on different parts of the mountain, which was once known as Firðafjall.

LOCATION

 

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