To get to the western most tip of Europe you’ll have to take a narrow unpaved mountain road. It’s a wild ride that many who travel the Westfjords take to see the famous bird cliffs. Though totally manageable in a 2WD it can be a harrowing drive, albeit beautiful. Break […]
Iceland
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After nearly seventy years of service around Nordic waters, Garðar BA 64 sits on the shores of Skápadalur Valley in the Westfjords. Originally known as Globe the 4th, the ship was built as a whaling vessel in a Norwegian shipyard in 1912, the same year the Titanic sank. Equipped with […]
In the remote Westfjords region lays a steamy seaside oasis known as Hellulaug, practically turquoise in color. Located right along road 60, the precarious and partially gravel route which takes you through the fjords. The pool isn’t visible from the road, it is near the town Flókalundur so keep a […]
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 […]
A trail with jaw dropping views of the rugged coast connects two tiny fishing villages in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula: Hellnar to Arnarstapi. The length of the hike from one end to the other is 1.5 miles, so a roundtrip equals three in total along a rocky path with light rolling […]
Hike to three destinations in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula: Malarrif an art deco light house, Londrangar a castle like lava formation, and Þúfubjarg the birding cliff – all within Snaefellsjokull National Park. This is an out and back walk totaling 2 miles, you can begin either from Gestastofa Visitor Center or […]
On the rugged coast of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is a black pebble beach laden with mystical lava formations, the scattered remains of a seventy-year-old shipwreck, and stones which will test your strength. Incredibly beautiful and endlessly interesting, Djúpalónssandur is located in the middle of Snæfellsjökull National Park, just a short […]
Located within Snæfellsjökull National Park in the westernmost tip of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is a place of contrast: a bright orange lighthouse against black lava cliffs. The road becomes mighty bumpy as you traverse the lava field towards the end of the trip to Svörtuloft, but if you drive slowly […]
The most recognizable images in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and one of the most iconic places in the entire country– Kirkjufell is a sight to behold. Kirkja translates to church in Icelandic, said to resemble a place of worship from a certain angle – but no matter what you make of […]
The town of Stykkishólmur was named for the little island in front of its harbor called Stykkið, or the piece, in English. On the northern side of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, it is one of the biggest settlements in the area…but that isn’t saying too much, it only has a population […]
Long ago rivers of lava fell down the side of a cliff in a simultaneous showing, which cooled to form what we see today, the stark and imposing Gerðuberg. If you are heading into or out of the Snӕfellsnes Peninsula this is a fantastic and quick detour. Just a few […]
Picture this: a personal sized hot pot with a view of the mountains in Iceland’s countryside. If you can find Landbrotalaug Hot Spring and luck is on your side, you will have a memory to last for a lifetime. The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is only 1½ hours north from Reykjavík and […]
History and nature collide where the continents continue to drift in Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO site within the Golden Circle. The Hakið Visitor Center is a great place to start your exploration. Inside there are interactive panels to learn about geological features and the culture of the park. Leading from the […]
A waterfall with such vigor, it bares the name of the god Thor. Þórufoss often spelt as Thorufoss and it is a hidden gem in the Golden Circle. While hundreds flock to Gullfoss, we had this waterfall all to ourselves. It is a short detour from the main road, with […]
Despite the long dark winters, plump juicy tomatoes are grown year round in Iceland. Friðheimar is a farm and restaurant which produces 18% of the country’s tomatoes, among cucumbers, peppers, and more. It does so all year long by harnessing geothermal energy to power artificial lights for growing. A tangle […]