Worldwide Friends

Snaefellsnes

Back to the fairy tales – National sights can be seen in Iceland in miniature including the Snæfellsjökull volcano, regarded as one of the symbols of Iceland.

DATES:

If you participate in one of the workcamps you have the possibility to sign up for this excursion. This will take place on one of the days during the workcamp. Your leaders can answer all your questions and will take care to plan it in the schedule. 

WHAT YOU WILL VISIT:

1. Ytri-Tunga

Ytri Tunga is a beach by a farm of the same name on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Unlike many of the beaches in Iceland, Ytri Tunga has golden sand, rather than black. As well Ytri Tunga is the most reliable place in Iceland to see seals.

2. Arnarstapi & Hellnar

A small fishing village in the southern part of the Snæfellsnes peninsula and at the foot of Mount Stapafell. Due to the natural harbor, Arnarstapi was a big trading point for commercial fishing boats that anchored here to unload merchandise in the 16th century when the Danes ruled Iceland and the village flourished for more than 200 years. Now the local population has shrunk considerably and it is a small and quiet village. If you take a trip along the coast, you will discover eye-catching forms of lava rocks and colonies of sea birds. The waves of the ocean play along with the sun and the daylight to produce a natural show of which the most spectacular can be experienced at the cliff Gatklettur and his famous arch rock, and the rifts Hundagjá, Miðgjá and Músagjá.

On the walls of the cave, a lot of people have written their names, some of them very well-known persons in Iceland. Among them are f.ex. Eggert Olafsson and Bjarni Palsson who were by the end of 18th century traveling around their own country – quite an enterprise at the time – fighting against superstition and for Enlightenment. You may also find their runes and signs of sorcery.

3. Djúpalónssandur 

Is a sandy beach and bay on foot of Snæfellsjökull in Iceland. It was once home to sixty fishing boats and one of the most prolific fishing villages on the Snæfellsnes peninsula but today the bay is uninhabited.

Four lifting stones are in Djúpalónssandur, used by fishermen to test their strength. How strong are you?

  • Fullsterkur (“full strength”) weighing 154 kg,
  • Hálfsterkur (“half strength”) at 100 kg,
  • Hálfdrættingur (“weakling”) at 54 kg,
  • Amlóði (“Useless”) at 23 kg.

They were traditionally used to qualify men for work on fishing boats, with the Hálfdrættingur being the minimum weight a man would have to lift onto a ledge at hip-height to qualify.

4. Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell or ‘Church Mountain’, is a 463 m high mountain on the north coast of Iceland’s Snæfellsnes peninsula, near the town of Grundarfjörður. It is claimed to be the most photographed mountain in the country.

Within walking distance from Kirkjufell is the serene and perfectly located waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss, or ‘Church Mountain Falls’, an excellent subject for photographers who can easily frame the mountain in the background. Despite its relatively diminutive height, Kirkjufellsfoss’ three-steps, gentle flow, and dramatic differences between seasons make it as impressive as some of Iceland’s larger waterfalls.

PRICE OF THE EXCURSION:

For this excursion, we ask an extra fee of 100 euros. This is to pay for the fuel, driver, parking, etc.

NICE TO KNOW:

Iceland is a place where the weather can change every 5 minutes. 

  • Hiking boots are recommended because the weather can change very fast, and it’s possible it is muddy in some places. 
  • Bring a raincoat it can be windy and cold at the waterfall.
  • In case of heavy rain or strong wind, the places of interest can be reduced. (The decision is up to drivers keeping your safety in mind)