It’ll be a very long day, with numerous stops and roughly 450 km distance to cover. Oh, some cake in your bag may actually be a good idea, to keep you energy levels high. Let us just say that Snæfellsnes, which actually translates to Snow Mount’s Peninsula, is often called Iceland in Miniature – you’ve already got a picture in your mind’s eye of what awaits us?
Let’s start with the white sand Ytri Tunga beach, especially popular with photographers looking for charming models. Beautiful seals posing along the shore can easily be spotted in June and July, but who knows, you might be lucky any time of year. And there’s also the gorgeous backdrop of Snæfellsjökull glacier… It’ll work as an appetizer for the main dish of this trip. Going South, we’ll step by an inconspicuous village of Búðir, to see its only attraction: a small black church known as Búðakirkja. The dramatic, surreal landscape of endless fields with one Búðakirkja looming on the horizon offers a truly unforgettable view.
Closer and closer to the glacier, there’s a real masterpiece of nature in the form of a small Anastrapi village. It does look like an artwork of an excellent painter, with its basalt columns and cliffs surrounding one of Iceland’s most impressive natural harbors. We can also walk on a remarkable stone bridge, which will make you feel like literally stepping in another, magical world. A lot of beautiful photo opportunities here! No worries, our guide-photographer is always ready for a shot.
Now it’s time for what you’ve been most waiting for and what we call Snæfellsjökull glacier touch. In short, we’re going to drive as close to the glacier as possible, depending on weather conditions. Here’s our trip’s hero (and the landmark of the peninsula) in all his glory, an over 1400 m high dormant volcano towering over the Snæfellsnes’ National Park. No words can describe its majestic beauty and probably no picture will do it justice. It’s one view your eyes and soul can’t miss, period! There are a lot of intriguing stories connected to Snæfellsjökull, in some of them it’s the meeting place of extraterrestrials, others picture it as one of the seven chakras of the world. Well, the magnetism of this place really is undeniable.
One we’ve soaked up the gorgeous view, your guide will take you to Djúpalónssandur located on foot of the glacier. The road to this black rocky beach leads through lava fields covered with beautiful moss, providing yet another portion of marvelous views. Once a thriving fishing village, the bay stays uninhabited today yet still bearing traces of the prosperous times. Just look at the four lifting stones in Djúpalónssandur – imagine they were used to test the strength of fishermen.
We’ll call it a day after reaching Iceland’s most recognizable landmark and its probably most photographed mountain, Kirkjufell. The unique “Church Mountain” owes its name to the distinctive, cylindrical shape which resembles a steeple. Though most impressive under the midnight sun or northern lights, Kirkjufell always mesmerizes with the colors that change seasonally. To see them dancing around the dramatic mountain’s formation is a real treat, especially for the “Games of Thrones” fans, who could see Kirkjufell in the series season 7.
All these attractions in one day? Nothing is impossible! There are certainly some extras for those who always want more, just ask our amazing guide about his “secret gems”. And do not forget to pack a swimsuit, just in case! 🙂
