Walking through Dritvík cove connects you with Iceland’s past, when this area was a bustling fishing harbour. Dritvík cove is actually part of Djúpalónssandur beach, so you can enjoy two beautiful black sand beaches in one visit.
Dritvík used to be an important fishing centre in the years 1650-1950, with fishermen and fisherwomen from all over the country working seasonally. About 400 people lived here. Between the middle of February and late May, Dritvík was a particularly active place.
The fishermen built their huts by stacking stones and covering them with fabric, making it easy to remove after each season. Today you can still see ruins from these prosperous days.
Dritvík’s First Settler: Half-Man, Half-Troll
According to the the Icelandic saga Bardarsaga Snaefellsas, the first settler in Dritvík was Bárðar Snæfellsás, a magical being who was half-human and half-troll. Several places in the cove refer to him, including the spectacular ship-shaped rock, Bárðarskip. Another place is the rock formation Tröllakirkja, The Troll’s Church. Bárður and his family had sailed from Norway to Iceland. Just after they landed, they gave thanks to the pagan gods in a cave at the Tröllakirkja rock.
Eventually, Bárður and his family moved to a cave in up on Snæfellsjökull glacier. Bárður is supposed to still live there, watching over and protecting Snæfellsnes Peninsula. You can see his statue at Arnarstapi.
How to get to Dritvík cove?
The cove is only a short distance from the main road in Snæfellsjökull National Park. You can leave your car at the parking lot above Djúpalónssandur. From there, it is a 1 km hike west to the cove. This is a very beautiful hike with its views of the sea, beach, and lava formations, so don’t forget your camera!
