Sönghellir is a cave famous for its echoes. The cave is on the northern side of Mount Stapafell, which overlooks the small fishing village Arnarstapi on the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
Thanks to the acoustic resonance inside the cave, Sönghellir’s name means “the cave of songs.”
The walls of the cave display names people have carved into the stone. If you look closely, you might spot some well-known Icelanders’ names. For example, you’ll see the names of Eggert Ólafsson and Bjarni Pálsson. They travelled around Iceland at the end of the 18th century to fight against superstition and to educate people. Along with people’s names, you may also see runes and signs of sorcery in the cave.
Did people live in Sönghellir cave?
Some people believe the cave was a shelter for Bárður Snæfellsás, a legendary half human/half troll who was a king’s son. According to folklore, Bárður named the peninsula and the glacier and still watches over Snæfellsjökull as its protective spirit. In actuality, historians believe no one has actually lived in the cave, though people have used it for shelter.
How to get there?
To find the cave, follow Road Number 570 from Árnarstapi leading up the Snæfellsjökull glacier. It’s a narrow, winding gravel road. A few kilometres of slow driving will take you to a small parking spot. From there, it’s a short walk up to the cave. Look for a small sign marking the entrance.
