Snæfellsjökull National Park, located on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, covers an area of 440 square kilometres (170 sq mi). It extends west down from the glacier-capped volcano all the way to the rugged coastline. Declared a National Park in 2001, the park has astonishing variety in natural landscapes including moss covered lava fields, pebbled beaches and imposing rugged cliffs.
Undoubtedly the crowning jewel of the park is Snæfellsjökull glacier itself. The glacier covers a dormant volcano that last erupted in 250 AD. You can actually see the icy cone-shaped peak from Reykjavík on a clear day. Some people consider Snæfellsjökull to be one of the Earth’s most powerful centers of spiritual energy. Actually, the area is steeped in ancient, literary and New Age folklore.
The area around Snæfellsjökull is the girlhood home of Guðríður Þorbjarnadóttir, an Icelandic woman who travelled extensively in the Middle Ages. Her journeys took her to Greenland, North America, Scandinavia, and on a pilgrimage route to Italy.
Can you hike in the national park?
There are several excellent trails around the park. When hiking in this area you can expect to discover little beaches, rugged seascapes, rare plants, birdlife and seals. The seaside shore of Snæfellsnes peninsula is also a good location for spotting orca and minke whales that inhabit the surrounding ocean. The park’s Visitor Centre is in the small town of Hellnar and is open daily during the summer. You can find out about trail conditions and purchase a map of the hiking trails.
Can you journey to the center of the Earth via Snæfellsjökull ?
No. As much as we like Jules Verne’s novel, it is a fiction. There are no caves where you can find entryways into hidden worlds deep beneath the Earth’s crust, where strange fungi grow and dinosaurs roam.
Can you hike to the top of Mount Snæfellsjökull ?
Yes, there is a route to follow, and hiking top the top and back down takes more than 8 hours. You need good shoes and warm clothes. Make sure you ask a local or visit the Park Visitor Centre to find the hiking trail.
How high is Snæfellsjökull ?
The mountain rises 1.446 metres (4.744 feet) above sea level.
