Hello Snæfellsness 🙂
On clear days during our stay in Reykjavík , we did admire the peninsula with its snowcaped volcano Snæfellsjökull from afar. Now we were going to explore the sight along the panorámic coastal drive.
After picking up our rental car at the regional airport right in the capital, we were on our way into the vast icelandic nature. The easiest way to dicover Iceland is following the famous Ringroad “Hringvegur” that runs around the main islands highlands and passes by a lot of the attractions and sights Iceland ahs to offer.
So, we started of following route 1 to the Northwest. Due to Hvalfjarðargöng Tunnel – about 6km long – that passes right under Hvalfjörður – Whale Fjord – our route for today was about 50km shorter than it would have been before 1998, when the tunnel was opened. Excellent … all the more time for nature and photo stops.
Our first stop was not nature, but the “Geirabakari Kaffihus”, right beside the Borganes bridge. A freshly brewed, steaming coffee and delishlously looking sandwich later, we were back en-route. In Borganes we also left the Ringroad and followed the 54 in direction to Snæfellsness peninsula.
Amazing nature hiding behind low clouds
The landscape was ever changing. Barren, rocky mountain slopes towered over wide green marsh meadows and shallow lakes. Partly overgrown, bizarly withering lava streams at times cut through the green coastand Waterfalls thunder down distant cliffs in white, steaming ribbons.
Some sights will have to wait until our next visit:
- Ytri Tunga – Seal Beach
- Búðakirkja
- Anarstapi with its stone bridge, Bárðar Saga Snæfellsáss Statue and Gatklettur
We did stopp and enjoy:
- Londrangar View Point – rough cliff formations and basalt columns
- Vatnshellir Cave – was closed, but we did sneak a peek from the cave entrace
- Djúpalónssandur – view point and black lava beach
- Ingjaldshóll – idylic church with a great view over the north shore
- Kirkjufell mountain & waterfall
A cozy, rustic cabin at Hotel Stundarfridur close to Stykkisholmurwas our accommodation for the night. Also the storm picked up force constantly, hunger drove us into town and we had a delicious dinner at the warm and welcoming Sjávarpakkhúsið. My recommendation: do pre-reserve and try the tasting menue.
Througout the night the storm howled and thrashed around our cabin, but, it did not drive away the low cloud base. After a harty breakfast – ordered on the evening before and COVID safe prepared – we tried our luck on some close-by sights, but…hm.
So we ditched the drive along the north coast of the peninsula and made for Borganes – of course another coffee – and got back unto the Ringroad towards our next destination – Sauðárkrókur.