You wouldn’t see it if you were just driving through the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, even if you were admiring the very Sölvahamar Cliff itself.
Only those who go seeking it would find the concealed crack leading into the heart of Botnsfjall Mountain. Rauðfeldsgjá, or Red Mountain Rift, is an obscure and adventurous hiking trail. From the parking lot it is just a quick quarter of a mile up to the base of the gorge, gaining 400 feet in elevation. When you reach its entrance, take to the stream.
Waterproof shoes would be best, clothing as well while you hop from rock to rock heading deeper inside the fissure and enter a mossy grotto. Clambering over the initial small waterfall it was easy enough for a person with good coordination to stay dry, in the right conditions.
Continue on past the second waterfall more than double its height and you may get a solid soaking.
Venture further into the ravine and let me know how it goes and when you return take in the view of the valley that stretches to the sea.
This was the last stop of the day on our tour of the area, there was a line to get in as people were cautious on the slippery terrain. If you visit earlier in the day you may have the place to explore for yourself.
Folktale:
In the Icelandic Sagas there is a story of Bárður and his beautiful daughters. They often played with their cousins, Rauðfeldur and Sölvi. One day the boys lured Helga on to an iceberg in a game and she drifted off to sea, never to be heard from again in those ancient times. In his rage the father, who was half man and half troll, grabbed the young brothers. He threw Rauðfeldur in the crack which bares his name and Sölvi was thrown off the cliff which was named after him. Then Bárður, entirely mad, went up into the nearby glacier never to be seen again. Unbeknownst to all, Helga was alive. Over the course of seven days she was pushed all the way to Greenland, married, and had a good life.
Good to know:
+Elevation Gain: 400’
+Total Distance: 0.62 mi
+Free parking