Reykjavík Grapevine - 03.07.2015, Síða 36

36 The Reykjavík GrapevineIssue 9 — 2015TRAVEL
How to get there: If you are driving yourself, take Highway numer 1 to Borgarnes and
turn onto highway 54, turn onto highway 56 from Vegamót.Snæfellsnes
Often called a “miniature of Iceland,”
the peninsula displays almost all of the
features that dominate Icelandic nature
in one spot, including a sub-glacial vol-
cano, ancient lava fields, hot springs,
rolling hills, wind-blasted beaches,
fantastic rock formations, majestic wa-
terfalls, lonely lighthouses, and small
settlements dotted all along the coast.
You can make it there and back again
in twelve hours, which is exactly what
we decided to do on one unclouded
Sunday. We drove directly through Bor-
garnes, straight to Stykkishólmur, and
then explored the peninsula counter-
clockwise.
1
Fossá
This is the first hidden gem you’ll en-
counter. If you drive north on road 56
to Stykkishólmur, you’ll find a parking
spot after seeing a small sign say-
ing “Fossá.” Park and follow the water
downstream for five minutes and you’ll
find this picturesque waterfall and a
great view of the surrounding area.
2
Helgafell
Legend has it that if you make a wish
and walk up this hill from Guðrún Ós-
vífursdóttir’s grave without speaking or
looking back, your wish will come true.
Leave your car at the lot, but don’t walk
up the path in front of you: instead,
head over to the church where you
will see Guðrún’s grave and a separate
path. The view from the top is gorgeous,
with Snæfellsjökull glacier looming in
the distance (if it’s not cloudy, that is).
3
Stykkishólmur
This fishing hamlet is the largest set-
tlement in Snæfellsnes and features
quaint little houses, some nice seafood
restaurants, a Bónus grocery store,
and a few friendly cats. Walk up to
Súgandisey island from the harbour,
breathe in that fresh sea air, and take a
moment to take it all in.
4
Kirkjufell
This mountain is said to be the most
photographed mountain in Iceland,
and with good reason; the mountain is
decorated by a number beautiful wa-
terfalls, such as Grundarfoss, and can
be seen clearly from multiple angles as
it juts out into the sea, just outside of
the town of Grundarfjörður.
5
Rif
Just off road 574, you’ll find Rif, a tiny
fishing hamlet home to 137 people.
With just a few boats docked at the
harbour, and only one café in town
(the house flying the Icelandic flag),
there doesn’t seem to be much to
this settlement. Be sure to check out
the Freezer Hostel, which doubles as
a cultural centre featuring a steady
stream of cool events.
Words Gabríel Benjamin
Photos Johanna Person
For the short-term visitor and overworked resident, decid-
ing how to spend the limited free time you have available
can be a real challenge, as there is no shortage of great
destinations reachable from the capital. For those that
want to see as much as they can in one go, we think the
best option is Snæfellsnes.
12 Hours
On The Snæfellsnes Peninsula
1 2
ÞÓRSHÖFN
VOPNAFJÖRÐUR
GRÍMSEY
ÍSAFJÖRÐUR
AKUREYRI
EGILSSTAÐIR
REYKJAVÍK