Snæfellsnes Jewels: Church, Cave, Glacier and Cliffs

The Bjarnarfoss waterfall is divided into two sections, the first easily accessible and the second, with higher altitude, for travelers with good mobility and who do not suffer from vertigo. You can park the car in a marked esplanade that you will see to the left of the waterfall and from there you have only a couple of minutes walk to see the first waterfall.

In Iceland you will find a wide variety of churches: white with reddish roofs, modernist, with grass roofs... On the way to Arnarstapi is unavoidable to make a stop to see -and photograph- the small Lutheran church of the tiny village of Búðir. It contrasts its black roof and walls with the white of the main door and windows in a natural environment of greenery and volcanic rocks. You can park your car in the parking lot in front of the church.

The scenery on both sides of the road between Búðir and Arnarstapi is breathtaking. On the right hand side, high up and if the day is clear, you can see the Snæfellsjökull glacier lying on top of a volcano with an altitude of 1446 meters and whose last eruption took place more than 1800 years ago.
Snæfellsjökull is world famous thanks to the second novel by the French writer Jules Verne, "Journeys to the Center of the Earth", published in 1864. Its protagonist begins his adventure into the interior of the planet through the cone of this volcano located west of Iceland.

Leave your car in this free parking lot. If you need to go to the bathroom there are a couple of restaurants along the road but you will have to consume something as they are exclusive for customers. Don't forget your camera in the car.

This curious half-man, half-troll sculpture represents Bárður Snæfellsás, mythical protector of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and one of the most recognized characters of the Icelandic sagas. Bárður arrived in Iceland in the 9th century and gave his name to this western Icelandic region -formerly called Snjófellsnes- by changing "snjór" to "snær", although both words mean snow in Icelandic.
The sculpture is the work of Ragnar Kjartansson and is made of stones collected from the area.

This area, which includes the coast and the cliffs between the villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar, has been a nature reserve since 1979 and is part of the Snæfellsjökull National Park. Arnarstapi in the past was a throbbing fishing village, however today it has become the most popular tourist center of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
Here you will find the most impressive landscapes of this part of West Iceland where a large lava field, several viewpoints on the cliffs, fantasy rock formations with basalt columns that form caves and Mount Stapafell (526 mt) with its pyramidal silhouette come together.

You may get the impression from in front of the Stone Bridge that crossing over it is very reckless and not a safe thing to do. Although it is best photographed from the point you see in the photo, the path across the bridge is much wider and easier than it looks. Keep in mind that there is always the possibility that one day it will collapse as has happened in other parts of the world with other natural bridges.

Gatklettur may not be as famous as other seaside rock formations such as Hvítserkur on the Vatnsnes Peninsula in the northwest of the country.
However, this great natural arch over the sea has nothing to envy them. Hundreds of seabirds (gulls, harlequin ducks, fulmars, arctic terns, tridactyl gulls...) nest in it and its surroundings, and it is a very photogenic spot, the result of centuries of chiseling by the force of the waves.

After the Arco de Piedra, follow the path along the coast that connects with a path that will take you to the main road. The parking lot is a few hundred meters up the road on the left hand side.

With a very characteristic and traditional Icelandic facade, the restaurant Arnarbær is the ideal place to eat after a walk along the rugged coastline of Arnarstapi. You will feel right at home. We recommend its fish soup, fish and chips or any of the tasty rustic pizzas on the menu and for dessert a delicious apple pie.
Opening hours Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

To access this point of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula you must have a 4x4 vehicle because all Icelandic roads starting with F are those that usually give access to the Icelandic Highlands -more rocky, steep and muddy- but at the same time are the most risky and dangerous. Drive very carefully.
To get to the Sönghellir cave parking lot, drive up the F570 from where you will have a very different view of Mount Stapafell. From here its silhouette is not pyramidal as it is from the coast of Arnarstapi.

Sönghellir, Icelandic for "Cave of Song", is known for its echoing quality and magical acoustics. Try how your voice sounds inside this natural lava wonderland. For centuries many travelers have come to this place. Just look at the inscriptions carved into the stone by 18th century travelers such as Eggert Ólafsson and Bjarni Pálsson. An irresponsible practice in today's times, illegal and that can lead to heavy fines. Take care of the natural heritage!
Legend has it that Sönghellir was the home of the family of the legendary half-man half-troll Bárður Snæfellsás - whom you saw in the stone sculpture at Arnarstapi - and his spirit continues to guard this remote land.

Seals, like the popular Icelandic puffins, are sometimes difficult to see. If you want more chances to spot these marine mammals, Ytra Tunga, in the south of Snaesfellnes, is one of the best places to see common and grey seals basking on the rocks.
Drive along road 54 and keep an eye out for signs so you don't miss the crossing. The best time of year for this type of sighting is between May and July, especially when the tide is low. Remember to keep a minimum safe distance of 50 meters.

Typical food made with local products seasoned with herbs and spices from the mountains of Iceland. This restaurant was founded in 2014 and is run by three brothers.
Their menu includes a variety of dishes among which I would highlight their Cognac Mushroom Soup (Pickled mushrooms, mushroom paste, enoki mushrooms and tarragon oil), Cod fillet with mashed potatoes, herbs and garlic, carrots, parsnips and champagne sauce, the traditional Icelandic Beef Soup or the 12-hour braised veal cheek with vegetable chips, burnt onion and green bell pepper sauce.
Book by phone in advance before 18:00.
Hours. Monday to Sunday from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm and from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Restaurant website phone: +354 551 6131

When you check the film on your cell phone you will be really aware of the wonders that your retinas have captured during these last three days discovering the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.