Mystical Charm Of Snaefellsnes

OVERVIEW

Spend a day steeped in the magical atmosphere of western Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes, many of them mysterious and sacred. The circular expedition begins with an immensely picturesque coastal drive, passing through one beautiful fishing village after another enroute to Snæfellsjokull National Park. This 65-square-mile wonderland is where the adventurers in Jules Verne’s 1864 Journey to the Center of the Earth found a passage to the earth’s core, and it looks every bit the part. You’ll walk along pebbled Djúpalónssandur Beach, admiring strange rock formations along the shore – where sailors once proved their fitness to crew on ships by hoisting the heavy boulders. Passing the Lóndrangar Cliffs, you’ll stop for photos and lunch in tiny Arnarstapi, known for its abundant birdlife and curious lava formations. In remote Búðir, you’ll encounter a modest church of black painted wood, sitting in a lava field blanketed with lush grass. The visual contrast is stunning, especially with the park’s namesake glacier-capped volcano as its backdrop. Then it’s on to Helgafell – the famous “Holy Mountain” of Icelandic literature and history; you’ll learn about its magic powers. Some free time in charming and eco-friendly Stykkisholmur at the tip of the peninsula marks the outing’s end.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel in a majestic loop through atmospheric West Iceland by panoramic coach.
• Stop frequently to take in many geologically and culturally unique sights throughout the day.
• See the park that inspired Jules Verne in 1864, walk a beach where the rocks have nautical history, and have an encounter with a famously magic mountain.
• Stop for a light Icelandic lunch in a town barely large enough to show up on a map.
• Throughout the journey, learn of the legends, mysteries and sacred histories of the sights seen.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate layered clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a bottle of water, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.