Snæfellsjökull

Snæfellsjökull National Park, which covers about 170 km2 west of Snæfellsnes Peninsula, is Iceland’s third national park, which was set up two decades ago in 2001. Named after the strato-volcano glacier Snæfellsjökull, it is said to have influenced writers, authors and artists throughout history. Nobel Prize (Literature) winner and son-of-the-soil Halldór Laxness was inspired by Snæfellsjökull and wrote his novel ‘Christianity Beneath the Glacier.’ 

Snæfellsjökull National Park, which covers about 170 km2 west of Snæfellsnes Peninsula, is Iceland’s third national park, which was set up two decades ago in 2001. Named after the strato-volcano glacier Snæfellsjökull, it is said to have influenced writers, authors and artists throughout history. Nobel Prize (Literature) winner and son-of-the-soil Halldór Laxness was inspired by Snæfellsjökull and wrote his novel ‘Christianity Beneath the Glacier.’ 

Of course, the credit for bringing Snæfellsjökull under global limelight and providing instant international recognition goes to French novelist Jules Verne who wrote his masterpiece ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth.’ Many are of the view that glacial peaks can be seen from Reykjavik, across Faxaflói Bay on a bright and clear day. Snæfellsjökull National Park’s is bound by the coast on the west, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar to the south  and Rif and Hellissandur to the north and extends to the tip of Snæfellsjökull volcano which towers about 1446 above sea level. Within the Park lies the almost-surreal Buðahraun lava field, with its moss-covered tract, which forms a ring around the glacier.

There are various things one can do in and around Snæfellsjökull National Park, including admiring the basalt fortress of Lóndrangar, take glacier hikes, enjoy Super Jeep tours, explore ice caves, some of which are accessible only during the summer and stroll on the beaches of Skarðsvik and Djúpalónssandur.

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