Búðahraun Lava field sits on the south shore of Snaefellsnes peninsula. It originates from the low Búðaklettur crater, which sits in its centre.
Around 130 different plant species grow here. The eastern part of the lava field became a nature reserve in 1977.
Búðahraun is a unique place to walk in the sandy lava fields, see the charming black church, and stroll on one of the few golden beaches of Iceland. Don’t forget your camera; there are many great opportunities for great photos in the lava field.
Hiking in Búðahraun lava field
A 2 km (1.2 mile) trail lies between Búðir and Frambúðir, where there are ruins of fishermen’s huts and trading booths. From Frambúðir, there’s also a trail that heads inland across a lava field to the Búðaklettur volcanic crater. You can see the lava that flowed from the crater 8.000 years ago. Today, the lava field is home to a rich variety of mosses, ferns, and wildflowers.
Overall, it’s an easy hike. You should give yourself about 3 hours for a round trip hike.
A Black Church Built by a Brave Woman
The settlement of Búðir lies near the lava fields. It was a bustling fishing village and a major trading post in the Middle Ages. Eventually, the area declined and traders abandoned the post in the 19th century. Today, though, Búðir is a beautiful stop for visitors who want to enjoy the peace and beauty of Snæfellsnes. A hotel on site is popular for romantic holidays.
One of the most beloved places in the area is the black wooden Búðakirkja. Actually, the church is the last remaining building from the old trading post days. The first church in the area was a turf building raised in 1703. The Danish King Christian VIII ordered it to be closed in 1819. The building then became a warehouse. Led by a merchant’s widow, Steinunn Sveindsóttir, the residents protested and asked for a new church. The Church Council refused, so Steinunn appealed to the King of Denmark, who authorised her request. In 1849, the priests’ council gave permission for Búðir’s residents to build a new church, but residents had to pay for it and maintain it themselves.
Steinunn oversaw the building of a black wooden church that incorporated some of the items from the original chapel. She defiantly put an inscription on the door: “This church was built –with no subsidy from the spiritual fathers — by Steinunn Sveinsdóttir.” Today there is a memorial at the church honoring Steinunn.
Renovations took place in 1951 and again in the 1980s, when the church was moved slightly and reconstructed based on its original Danish design. The church is not open to the public, but people can rent the church for special events like weddings.
