Home Europe West Iceland and the Westfjords Road Trip

West Iceland and the Westfjords Road Trip

by Andy Vanr

Experience the untouched wilderness of West Iceland and the Westfjords.  See the spectacular Dynjandi Waterfalls and the remote Westfjords.  Discover the dramatic landscape of Snæfellsjökull National Park and the curtain of water at Hraunfossar Waterfalls on the Silver Circle.

Our detailed road trip guide visits the must-see places and maximizes your time in this remote corner of Iceland.

West Iceland and the Westfjords Itinerary

Our three-day itinerary visits some of Iceland’s most dramatic western landscapes, from the remote Westfjords’ fishing villages and cascading waterfalls to the volcanic terrain of Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Day 1:  Westfjords and Isafjordur

  • Discover the towering mountains and deep fjords of the remote Westfjords.
  • See maritime artifacts at the History Museum in Isafjordur, the Westfjords’ largest town.

Day 2:  Dynjandi and the Southern Westfjords

Day 3:  Snæfellsnes Peninsula, West Iceland and the Silver Circle

If your itinerary is already tight, consider visiting only the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and West Iceland.

West Iceland and the Westfjords Attractions Map

Use our detailed map to discover all the must-see attractions of West Iceland.

Map of West Iceland highlighting key attractions, ferry routes, and major towns, including Snæfellsjökull National Park, Hraunfossar, and Stykkishólmur.
On this map the “must-see” attractions of Westfjords and West Iceland are marked with stars. 👆 Click the map to get your free interactive version.

Westfjords

Iceland’s Westfjords showcase untouched dramatic landscapes, towering flat-topped mountains, deep fjords, and remote fishing villages.  See majestic waterfalls, steamy hot springs and stretches of isolated, rugged coastline.  This is the oldest part of Iceland, formed around 14 to 16 million years ago.  It is one of Iceland’s least visited regions, as it’s so far from the main Ring Road. 

For those drawn to Iceland’s raw, remote corners, the Westfjords offers plenty of unspoiled beauty.  The traditional route follows the winding coast on Route 61.  This is a beautiful but lengthy drive, in and out of dramatic fjords and through small villages like Hólmavík and Ísafjörður.  This region covers about 10% of Iceland’s land mass but is home to 50% of the country’s coastline.

Beginning from the Ring Road, drive north on Route 68.  Enjoy the drive along Hrútafjörður fjord for about 105 kilometres.  Turn right (north) on Route 61 just before the village of Hólmavík.  Continue on Route 61 to Ísafjörður (230 kilometres).  This is about 4.5 hours of driving time.

On our road trip we opted for a shortcut.  We crossed the interior of the Westfjords on Route 60 (which intersects the Ring Road further south).  We experienced spectacular mountain views and our first stop in the Westfjords was at the crown jewel, the Dynjandi waterfalls.

Ísafjörður

Ísafjörður, the largest settlement in the Westfjords, sits at the tip of Skutulsfjörður (fjord).  It is a popular cruise ship port and a stop for adventurous road-trippers navigating the region’s winding roads.

There are colourful historic buildings along narrow streets.  Local shops and cafés welcome visitors.  The town’s cultural centerpiece is the Westfjords History Museum.  It has exhibits on the town’s maritime history, including a collection of old fishing boats.

The dramatic Dynjandi Waterfalls is just 50 minutes to the south on Route 60.

Dynjandi Waterfalls

Considered the jewel of the Westfjords, the Dynjandi waterfalls are the largest and most dramatic waterfall group in the Westfjords.  The waterfall, made up of 8 distinct cascades, descends a steep rugged cliff into Arnarfjörður Bay.  Every waterfall is named, with the uppermost called Dynjandi.  The name also refers to the entire group and is appropriate as the translation is “thundering noise”.

Val walks on a brick path toward the cascading Dynjandi waterfall set against a rocky, green landscape in the Westfjords Iceland.
The jewel of the Westfjords, the magnificent Dynjandi waterfall system has eight distinct falls tumbling down the rugged cliff. Val is on the path to the upper falls. It is about 750 metres to the base of the upper falls.

Each waterfall taken separately is unique and impressive but the whole group combined with the surrounding scenery is an unforgettable sight.  The view over the bay from the base of the upper Dynjandi (the highest you can climb) is spectacular.

The upper Dynjandi waterfall is about 100 metres high. It is 30 metres wide at the top, widening to 60 metres at its base.  In the summer, vibrant wildflowers line the access trail.  We climbed the 750-metre-long trail to the base of the upper waterfall.

The surrounding landscape remains serene and pristine.  Birdwatchers can spot seabirds around the cliffs, especially in summer.

A selfie of Andy and Val in front of the large, multi-tiered Dynjandi waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff with greenery around.
Behind us is the upper waterfall, also called Dynjandi, which drops about 100 metres.

Flókalundur lies 30 minutes to the south on Route 60.

Southern Westfjords (The Arnarfjörður Peninsula)

The village of Flókalundur, a crossroads, is a convenient base for exploring the remote and spectacular Arnarfjörður Peninsula of the Southern Westfjords.  There is a fuel station, restaurant and even hotel accommodations. 

Beginning at Flókalundur, drive southwest on Route 62 for 21 kilometres.  The Krosslaug Hot Spring is on the left at the edge of the fjord.  There are two pools: one concrete swimming pool and one circular geothermal pool.  The water temperature in both pools is around 37°C, cooler than some other Icelandic hot springs but comfortable for bathing.  It is a very peaceful spot which you will likely have to yourself.  Enjoy this at the beginning or end of the “out and back” drive.

The circular stone Krosslaug Hot Spring pool is in the foreground, with a rectangular swimming pool and white building in the background, set in a grassy outdoor area.
Located at the edge of the fjord, these two pools at the Krosslaug Hot Spring are maintained a comfortable bathing temperature of around 37°C.
The rusted, grounded ship Garðar BA 64A rests on land near the shore in southern Westfjords, with worn paint and visible damage.
This is the Garðar BA 64, purposely run aground to remember the area’s link to the sea.

Continue west on Route 62 for about 25 kilometres.  Turn left onto Route 612 hugging the south shore of the Patreksfjörður.  Drive another 3 kilometres.  Watch for the rusted hull of Garðar BA 64, Iceland’s oldest steel ship, built in Norway in 1912.  The ship began its service as a whaling vessel and ended as a fishing boat.  It was purposely run aground to become a lasting symbol of local maritime history.  Walk right up to the massive ship’s hull for close-up photographs.

The road becomes gravel shortly after the ship.  Turn around and head back as we did or continue driving west on Route 612.  The next stop is the Hnjótur Museum, almost 30 kilometres away.  Discover what living in the area was like through the museum’s collection of farming, fishing and everyday artifacts from the 20th century. 

Route 612 ends at the Látrabjarg Cliffs about 23 kilometres west.  This is Iceland’s largest seabird cliff, along the westernmost part of the country.  While puffins are the most sought-after birds at Látrabjarg, the cliffs host large populations of razorbills and guillemots.  Fulmars, kittiwakes, and about 10 different species of seabirds also nest here.  Enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. 

The return drive (Route 612 to Route 62) to the Brjánslækur ferry port is at least 1.5 hours.

Brjánslækur Ferry

The ferry port at Brjánslækur is the Westfjords’ main maritime gateway for travellers and vehicles going to and from Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. 

The crossing time on the ferry Baldur is about 2.5 hours, with up to 15 sailings per week.  The ferry is spacious with comfortable indoor seating and a restaurant serving basic fare.  A ferry ride considerably shortens the journey between the rest of West Iceland and the Westfjords. 

The ferry Baldur with its bow open is docked at Stykkishólmur pier, with cars lined up to board and rocky terrain in the background.
The ferry Baldur makes the 2.5-hour trip across Breiðafjörður bay daily. Taking the ferry drastically cuts down the travel time between the ports of Brjánslækur in Westfjords and Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Enjoy views of thousands of small islands with their abundant seabirds (and sometimes seals) along the route across Breiðafjörður (fjord).  The vast, shallow bay separates the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from the Westfjords.  It is approximately 125 kilometres in length and is up to 50 kilometres wide at its broadest point.

The fjord’s islands are mostly uninhabited now, except for Flatey Island which remains home to a small year-round population.  Flatey Island was the site of a medieval monastery.  Some of the Baldur’s crossings stop at Flatey, where you can walk among historic buildings and observe abundant birdlife.

Tours of Breiðafjörður sail from the harbour at Stykkishólmur, on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Often called “Iceland in a nutshell”, the peninsula is known for its dramatic landscapes and abundant natural wonders.  Stretching about 90 kilometres into the Atlantic, it offers a blend of lava fields, volcanoes, glaciers, and black and golden beaches, rare in Iceland.  See small fishing villages and extensive stretches of raw coastline.  The peninsula is famous in Icelandic folklore and sagas for its mystical qualities and magical legends.

Drive off the ferry on the north side of Stykkishólmur’s busy harbour, which is on the south side of Súgandisey Island.  The small, rocky island is connected to the mainland by road over a causeway.  The island has several trails, a lighthouse and panoramic views of the surrounding bay and town. 

Several small fishing boats are docked at Stykkishólmur harbour with colourful houses and parked cars visible in the background.
Busy Stykkishólmur Harbour has been a centre for trade and fishing since at least the mid-16th century.

The town began as a trading post and dates to at least the mid-16th century.  A number of historic wooden houses and buildings, some over 100 years old, have been preserved in their traditional style.

Drive south on Route 58 to Route 54 and head west for almost 30 kilometres to the lively fishing village of Grundarfjörður on the peninsula’s north coast.  The town is known for its proximity to Kirkjufellsfoss and Kirkjufell.  Cruise ships are often docked at the town’s harbour.

Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall

Less than 3 kilometres west of town and just off Route 54, the Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall sits south of the base of the iconic Kirkjufell mountain.  The site draws photographers and nature lovers seeking the picturesque cascading falls and unique conical peak.

There are three main cascades along the Kirkjufellsá river which make up Kirkjufellsfoss.  The largest drop is about 5 metres.  Seasonal changes transform the appearance of the falls, from powerful spring flows to icy winter displays.

Val stands smiling in front of Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall and rocky, green landscape under a cloudy sky.
The photogenic Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall behind Val is made up of three cascades. The silhouette of iconic Kirkjufell mountain can often be seen in the pool at the base of the waterfall.

Kirkjufell Mountain’s conical form dominates the landscape, particularly at sunrise or sunset.  Its silhouette is often seen in the pool of water at the base of the waterfall.  The mountain has been used as a backdrop in both the series Game of Thrones and the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Kirkjufell stands 463 metres tall.  Its name means “Church Mountain” in Icelandic, inspired by its resemblance to a church steeple.  The lower part of Kirkjufell is composed of sedimentary rock containing fossils formed more than a million years ago.  The younger upper part is composed of layers of lava formed during warm periods of the last Ice Age.  The summit is made of tuff, a volcanic rock formed under glaciers during cold periods.  Kirjufell’s shape is the result of erosion by glaciers.

Edge of the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall flows in the foreground with people standing on a path, and the distinctively shaped Kirkjufell mountain rises in the background.
Glacial erosion created the steeple-like appearance of the iconic 463-metre Kirkjufell or “Church Mountain”. It and Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall, in the foreground, were featured in Game of Thrones.

Continue west to the Búlandshöfði Viewpoint.  This scenic viewpoint sits high on the headland providing sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, glaciers, and rugged coastline.  It’s an ideal picnic and photo stop.

In about 18 kilometres, turn right onto Route 574 and drive 15 kilometres to Hellissandur, a fishing village dating back to the 16th century.  The town is considered the “Street Art Capital of Iceland”. Large, colourful murals cover many of the industrial and residential buildings throughout the town. Enjoy a drive through town. 

The Hellissandur Maritime Museum has exhibits of historic fishing equipment and traditional boats.  The collection includes the oldest rowboat that exists in Iceland, built in 1826.  There is also a reconstructed sod house.

There are good walking trails around Hellissandur, giving access to views of sweeping beaches and the wild North Atlantic.  The town is also a gateway to nearby Snæfellsjökull National Park.

A white Renault van is parked on a roadside with a rocky, moss-covered hill in the background; a faint rainbow is visible in the cloudy sky.
Val is staying out of the nasty wind at the Búlandshöfði View Point on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Snæfellsjökull National Park

Covering the westernmost tip of the peninsula, Snæfellsjökull National Park is renowned for its volcanic landscapes dominated by the glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano.  Established in 2001, the park’s area is about 170 square kilometres. 

The park offers a variety of natural features, including lava fields, craters, caves, and dramatic coastal cliffs.  The area is rich in Icelandic folklore, with many local legends tied to its landforms and sites.

Snæfellsjökull Glacier is both a glacier and a stratovolcano, with the volcano being around 700,000 years old.  Glacial ice covers the volcanic summit essentially year-round.  It stands 1,446 metres above sea level and can be seen in Reykjavík on clear days. 

Snæfellsjökull is a popular destination for hiking, glacier walks, and guided mountaineering tours.  In the Jules Verne’s novel Journey to the Center of the Earth, the glacier was the fictional entrance to the earth’s core.

The Snæfellsjökull National Park Centre, in Hellissandur, is a modern building designed to blend into the surrounding lava fields.  There is information, exhibits, and educational resources about the landscape, local history, and wildlife of Snæfellsjökull.  Rangers are available to answer questions. 

A brown-furred arctic fox walks near a paved surface with dry grass in the foreground.
We saw this arctic fox pup on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. They are quite common in West Iceland. The pups are all this colour. Adults are brown or gray in the summer but their coat changes to white in the fall to blend in with the snow cover.

Drive southwest on Route 574 for 5 kilometres and turn right onto Route 579.  Drive to the peninsula’s western tip at the end of the road, keeping to the right at the fork. This is a gravel road and may be impassable for 2-wheel drive vehicles at times.

Öndverðarnesviti is a bright-orange lighthouse, only 5 metres tall.  It is surrounded by the remains of a historic fishing station and unique coastal geology.  The area has been uninhabited since at least 1945.  Walk among grass-covered ruins and enjoy panoramic ocean views.

On the way back to the main road (Route 574), continue straight at the fork and drive to the end of the road and the sheer black lava sea cliffs known as Svörtuloft.  They stretch for 4 kilometres.  The headland above the cliffs, Skálasnagi, also has a lighthouse.

Return to the main road.  Turn left and continue for about 6.5 kilometres.  The Saxhóll Crater is on the right.  Climb the metal staircase to the top of the 40-metre-tall ancient cinder cone.  Enjoy both the view down into the crater and over the lava fields, to the Snæfellsjökull Glacier and to the Atlantic.

Back on the main road, drive 11 kilometres south.  Watch for signs to Djúpalónssandur.  Turn right and drive to the end of the road. 

Djúpalónssandur Beach

The beach is known for its black oval rocks and is surrounded by jagged cliffs and lava formations.  The smooth black lava pebbles, called the pearls of Djúpalón, are the result of years of smoothing and polishing by the ocean. 

The black beach and dramatic cliffs, along with Djúpalónssandur Bay’s rough waters, make it popular with photographers.  Swimming is unsafe due to strong currents.  A few pieces of metal from the English trawler Epine GY 7, wrecked here in 1948, remain scattered about.

A walking trail leads down to the beach from the parking area, past 2 small tidal lagoons.  We enjoyed the viewing platform above Djúpalónssandur, which is accessible to wheelchairs.  It offers a great view over the beach.

A wooden bench overlooks black Djúpalónssandur Beach with rocky cliffs, grassy hills, and people walking along the shoreline under a cloudy sky.
This view of Djúpalónssandur from above captures the stormy atmosphere on the day we visited. The waves crashed onto the black pebble beach. It was an impressive show. The beach is known for its black oval pebbles and remnants of the English trawler Epine GY 7, wrecked here in 1948.

The Vatnshellir Cave is three kilometres down the main road.  Explore this 5,000 to 8,000-year-old lava tube, 35 metres below the surface, on a 45-minute, guided tour.  A spiral staircase leads down allowing access to the upper and lower segments of the cave which extends for about 200 metres.  Pre-booking your guided tour is highly recommended.

Another kilometre down the road is the Malarrif Visitor Centre.

Malarrif – Snæfellsjökull National Park Visitor Centre

The visitor centre is in a former sheep barn.  It houses interactive exhibits focusing on the interaction between nature and humans in their work.  Exhibits also encourage the use of all five senses. 

Displays detail the park’s geological features, volcanic history, and diverse wildlife.  A playground and picnic tables are nearby.

The white, 20-metre-tall Malarrif Lighthouse is easily spotted from the visitor centre.  Built in 1946, it resembles a rocket with flared support fins and a tapering silhouette.  It stands on the top of a cliff above the beach, often with powerful waves crashing nearby.

Tall, white Malarrif lighthouse with a red top stands alone on a grassy landscape in Snæfellsjökull National Park.
The white Malarrif Lighthouse resembles a rocket with flared support fins. It stands on the cliff above the beach.
Large, rugged Lóndrangar Pillars rock formations rise from grassy terrain under a cloudy sky, with distant sea waves visible in the background.
These two towering basalt pillars, nicknamed Rocky Castle, rise dramatically from the coast, with the tallest reaching 75 metres. This is the view from the Malarrif Visitor Centre.

Two, towering, basalt pillars, known as Lóndrangar, are visible to the east, jutting from the cliff above the Atlantic Ocean.  Nicknamed the Rocky Castle, the tallest is 75 metres high.  They are remnants of an ancient volcanic crater, their dramatic silhouettes formed by centuries of battering from sea and wind.  They can be seen from surrounding viewpoints.

From the visitor centre parking lot, the nearby village of Arnarstapi is just 10 kilometres east.  There is a parking area by the hotel.

Arnarstapi

This small coastal village sits just outside the park boundary.  It is known for its spectacular cliffs and famous Gatklettur stone arch.

The village has a small natural harbour.  Some of its houses date to the 18th century and the Danish trading era, reminders of Iceland’s trading and fishing heritage.

A walking trail connects Arnarstapi to Hellnar, two kilometres west, through the 4000-year-old Hellnahraun lava field and along a coastline home to many birds.  In summer, large colonies of seabirds nest in the coastal cliffs.  We enjoyed the short stretch of the trail between the Arnarstapi Cliff Viewpoint and Gatklettur and its panoramic coastal views.

A large stone cairn monument, the Bárður Snæfellsás Statue, stands on a paved area, with mountains and scattered buildings in the background.
This stone statue honours Bárður Snæfellsás, the legendary half-troll, half-man guardian of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

To reach the trail from the parking lot, walk south to the Bárður Snæfellsás Statue.  In local folklore he was the half-troll, half-man who guarded the peninsula.  The statue is an imposing, 6-metre-tall, stone form.

Continue south to the Arnarstapi Cliff Viewpoint.  These basalt cliffs provide some of the peninsula’s most iconic sea views and birdwatching opportunities.  From here, the trail heads west to Hellnar or east to the harbour. 

We walked east and the natural stone arch, Gatklettur, soon came into view.  It was created by relentless Atlantic waves.  It is a beautiful photo stop on a walk along the Arnarstapi coastline.

A selfie of Andy and Val in front of the rocky coastal Gatklettur Arch with waves crashing in the background under an overcast sky.
The Gatklettur Arch in Arnarstapi was formed by the relentless action of the Atlantic’s waves. We reached it via the coastal walking trail.

The trail continues east to the natural rock arch called Stone Bridge, stretching over the crashing waves.  This basalt structure, a memorable crossing point, has views of surrounding cliffs and the sea below.

The bridge and nearby coastline are popular photo sites, especially at sunrise or sunset.  Continue to the harbour and back to the parking lot.

Return to Route 574, turn right (east) and drive 16 kilometres.  Turn right.  The road ends at an iconic black church.

Búðir Church faces the lava fields.  Photographers enjoy its minimalist design and stunning surroundings with views of Snæfellsjökull.  The church was built in the mid-19th century and renovated in the late 1980s.  The interior includes a humble altar and the original pews.  The hamlet of Búðir has almost disappeared but the church remains an active parish site for weddings and traditional events.

From the church, enjoy a scenic 30 minute (one-way) hike across the moss-covered lava field, with panoramic coastal views, to Frambúðir.  It is an important archaeological and historic fishing settlement with old fishermen’s huts still visible.  Archaeological excavations at Frambúðir indicate human activity dating back to Iceland’s first settlements.

Two kilometres east on Routes 574 and 54, look to the left at Bjarnarfoss dropping 80 metres down basalt cliffs.  The parking area is just off Route 54.  The path to the waterfall includes a well-maintained walking trail which ends at a primitive path up to the base of the waterfall. 

Bjarnafoss waterfall cascades down a steep, grassy mountainside, splitting into smaller streams before reaching dense clusters of evergreen trees at the base.
The Bjarnarfoss waterfall drops dramatically down basalt cliffs. You can walk to it on a well-maintained trail from the parking lot.

Drive 17 kilometres east.  The golden sands of Ytri Tunga Beach is known as one of Iceland’s best places to watch seals basking on offshore rocks year-round.  May to July offers the highest likelihood of seal sightings, often of newborn seal pups.

Almost 40 kilometres east on Route 54, turn left onto a gravel road.  Drive 2 kilometres north to the cliff.

A wall of perfect hexagonal, basalt columns is visible at the top of the half-kilometer-long Gerðuberg Cliffs.  Individual columns can reach up to 14 metres in height and 2 metres wide.  The cliffs were formed thousands of years ago as a result of the rapid cooling of a basalt lava flow.

Drive southeast on Route 54 to the town of Borgarnes on the Ring Road (about 50 kilometres).

Borgarnes

This small town is set on a peninsula by the Borgarfjörður fjord.  There are several interesting local attractions.

Borgarnes’ Settlement Centre brings Iceland’s Viking roots and legendary sagas to life. Its displays offer insight into the Age of Settlement and the saga of Egill Skallagrímsson.  Exhibits use interactive technology and immersive storytelling to recreate the drama of Viking-era Iceland.

Wall murals at the Borgarnes Settlement Centre depicting medieval figures, including a helmeted warrior with an axe, a couple in front of mountains, with two children shown at their feet.
The Settlement Centre’s interactive exhibits, beyond these murals, bring Iceland’s Age of Settlement, the Egill Skallagrímsson’s saga and more to life.

Drive northeast, on the Ring Road, for 30 kilometres.  The Grábrók Crater rises above moss-covered lava fields.  It is the largest of three craters formed by a fissure eruption over 3,000 years ago and stands over 170 metres tall.  A well-maintained, wooden staircase and gravel hiking path leads up to its rim.  Walk around the rim and enjoy panoramic views of the Grábrókarhraun lava field and nearby mountains.

Drive south on the Ring Road for 12 kilometres.  Turn left onto Route 50. This is the beginning of the Silver Circle, a popular West Iceland tourist route.

The Silver Circle

The roughly 146-kilometre route showcases history and unspoiled geology. Its main attractions are Reykholt, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss.  There are geothermal hot springs, stunning waterfalls, and historic locations with the tales of Iceland’s early settlers.

Drive 17 kilometres on Route 50 to Deildartunguhver Hot Springs, Europe’s most powerful hot springs. They produce steam visible from miles away and boiling water at nearly 100°C.  Observation platforms allow safe viewing of the powerful geothermal features. 

Water from the spring is piped to every town and village within a 65-kilometre radius for central heating.  The nearby greenhouse complex uses the geothermal heat to grow vegetables and fruits year-round.  Relax in hot pools heated by Deildartunguhver at the Krauma geothermal bath.

People relax in Krauma geothermal outdoor pool next to a modern black building surrounded by grassy landscape.
These relaxing Krauma hot pools are heated by Europe’s most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver, which produces water at nearly 100°C.

The village of Reykholt is 5 kilometres east on Route 518.

Reykholt

The village of Reykholt was the home of Snorri Sturluson, an influential 13th-century scholar, poet and historian, whose works shaped Old Norse mythology studies. 

The tower of the modern Reykholtskirkja church, built in the 1990s, dominates the area.  Designed in a minimalist Icelandic style, it was constructed using local materials.  Its interior is filled with natural light. 

The church is part of a larger historical complex, which includes the Snorrastofa museum.  It is both a tourist attraction and an active research centre for medieval studies.  The museum is dedicated to Snorri Sturluson, who authored significant works like the Prose Edda.  This is a key destination for anyone interested in Icelandic sagas and Iceland’s literary heritage.

The small stone and timber building directly to the east is Gamla Kirkjan which dates to the 1880s.  The hand-carved woodwork and traditional Icelandic décor are original.  The church has been used for community gatherings, religious services, and cultural events for generations, a testament to the resilience of Icelandic rural parish life.

Small white Gamla Kirkjan with a red roof stands in the grassy Reykholt cemetery; Andy walking up the steps toward the entrance.
We had the Reykholt cemetery, beside the old church Gamla Kirkjan, all to ourselves.

Enjoy a walk through the tranquil graveyard beside the church.  Walk down the hill (south) to Snorri’s Pool, a circular pool surrounded by a rustic stone patio and retaining wall.  This is the location of Iceland’s oldest known man-made geothermal bathing pool.  It is believed there was a bathing pool here as early as the 10th century.  The current pool is not the original and bathing is not allowed.

It is also believed that the pool area was connected by an underground passage to the farm of Snorri Sturluson.  A passage was uncovered during construction work in 1931.  The wooden structure over the passage is to preserve the remains. 

The pool’s water comes from the nearby hot spring Skrifla.  Water from this spring heats buildings in the area.

Andy walks around the circular stone-lined Snorri's Pool surrounded by a stone wall, with a small wooden hut and grassy hill in the background.
Snorri’s Pool is the location of Iceland’s oldest known man-made geothermal bathing pool, believed to date back to the 10th century.

To the north of the museum, at the back of open parkland, is the area called Höskuldargerði.  It’s a quiet spot with a reconstructed turf hut and a monument honoring Höskuld Eyjólfsson, a local farmer.  The hut is a quiet place for a picnic in poor weather.

Continue east on Route 518 for 18 kilometres to beautiful waterfalls.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls

These two waterfalls, just metres from each other, are distinctly different and make this a “must-visit” location.

Hraunfossar is unique.  Hundreds of gentle streams of water pour directly from the porous Hallmundarhraun lava field into the Hvítá River below.  These tiny waterfalls stretch for 900 metres along the edge of the black cliff creating a curtain of water.  The water does not flow over the cliff, as a river would.  The water comes directly from the ground.

Wide Hraunfossar waterfalls cascade over dark volcanic rocks surrounded by green vegetation, flowing into a cloudy Hvítá river in West Iceland.
Hundreds of gentle streams pour from the porous Hallmundarhraun lava field into the Hvítá River below. These unique waterfalls stretch for 900 meters, creating a curtain of water called the Hraunfossar Waterfalls.

There is a viewing platform perfectly placed for photography and panoramic views.

It’s just a short walk upstream to Barnafoss, known for its powerful rapids bursting through a narrow gorge.  The blue water of the falls is striking against black volcanic rock of the gorge walls.

The area’s well-maintained trails and dedicated viewpoints provide views on both sides of Barnafoss.

The water of both Hraunfossar and Barnafoss is glacial meltwater from the Langjökull glacier, Iceland’s second largest glacier.  The water travels underground through the Hallmundarhraun lava field and then emerges as springs and waterfalls which drain into the Hvítá River.

The area is geologically young, formed about 1,000 years ago during an eruption from volcanoes beneath the nearby Langjökull glacier.  It is stunning countryside, a contrast of black volcanic rock, green moss and often pretty wildflowers.

At Barnafoss, the fast-flowing Hvítá river's rapids run between dark, rocky cliffs and sparse green vegetation.
Powerful rapids of Barnafoss burst through this narrow gorge on the Hvítá River. The rocks of the gorge wall is part of the Hallmundarhraun lava field.

The surrounding lava field is famous for hidden caves, including Víðgelmir, about 12 kilometres northeast.  The largest lava tube in Iceland, Víðgelmir (also called “The Cave”) can be visited on a guided underground tour. 

Drive west for 3 kilometres.  Turn right onto Route 519.  Turn right onto Route 523 and drive 11 kilometres.  Turn left.  The cave is about 2 kilometres further.

Víðgelmir stretches for 1,585 metres.  At its tallest point, the ceiling reaches close to 16 metres high and the passage is 16.5 metres wide.  This cave has unique lava stalactites and stalagmites, formed as lava dripped and pooled during the eruption.  Evidence of human activity from the Viking Age has been found in the cave.

Return to Route 50, 5 kilometres west of Reykholt, and turn left.  Drive 14 kilometres south.  Turn left onto Route 52 and then right onto Route 520.  Drive 24 kilometres south where the road ends at Route 47 and a stunning fjord.

Hvalfjörður Fjord

Hvalfjörður Fjord is about 30 kilometres long and 5 kilometres wide.  It is a beautiful area, off the main tourist route, and surrounded by mountains and green valleys.  

Turn right.  The WII-focused War and Peace Museum is immediately on the right.  The museum, open daily in the summer, displays military vehicles, equipment, weaponry, and other artifacts from the Allied occupation of Iceland from 1940 to 1945.  Hvalfjörður hosted a major Allied naval base.  The fjord’s deep, sheltered waters were ideal for protecting convoys, refueling, repairing, and supplying Allied warships. 

Outside the white War and Peace Museum building with several murals, including a red peace symbol, and stencil art, surrounded by nautical artifacts.
In the War and Peace Museum there are displays of artifacts from the WWII Allied occupation of Iceland when Hvalfjörður hosted a naval base. There is also a collection of military vehicles.

Less than a kilometre west on Route 47 is the beautiful Hallgrímskirkja Saurbæ.

Completed in 1957, the church is dedicated to Hallgrímur Pétursson who was a pastor of the parish in the mid-17th century.  The exterior looks like white-painted wood but is actually made of concrete.  It is finished with plaster applied to have the textured appearance of wood.  Concrete was used due to the scarcity of wood in Iceland.  The tower stands 20 metres tall.  The interior is finished in brick with a stunning floor-to-ceiling, stained-glass window. 

White Hallgrímskirkja Saurbæ church with a green roof stands on a grassy hill behind a cemetery with various gravestones.
Do you think this church is made of wood? We did but it is actually made of concrete with a textured plaster to create the look of wood. It fooled us. Don’t miss Hallgrímskirkja Saurbæ’s stunning floor-to-ceiling stained-glass window.

If you are short on time, return to Reykjavík by driving west on Route 47 and then south on the Ring Road through the Hvalfjörður Tunnel.  It is about an hour depending on your end destination.

If you have more time, drive east on Route 47 around the fjord following what was the main route between Reykjavík and northern Iceland until the tunnel opened in 1998.  The south side of Route 47 meets the Ring Road just after the tunnel.

The area to the east of the museum and church is best known for the Glymur waterfall, Iceland’s second highest at 198 metres.  The almost 7 kilometre round-trip hike to the waterfall is considered challenging.

Explore All of our Iceland Road Trip Guides

Discover our complete series of detailed Iceland Guides to help you plan your perfect 7 to14 day adventure.

Main Article: 7 to 14 Day Iceland Road Trip

Part 1:  Reykjavík  –  Explore the Capital City
Part 2:  Golden Circle  –  Geysers, Waterfalls, and Ancient History
Part 3:  Westman Islands  –  Puffins and Volcanic Wonders
Part 4:  South Coast Iceland  –  Black Beaches, Glaciers and Waterfalls
Part 5:  Northern Iceland and the Diamond Circle  –  Geothermal Wonders and Mighty Waterfalls
Part 6:  Akureyri  –  Capital of the North
Part 7:  West Iceland  –  Mystical Landscapes and Hidden Gems (You’re reading this guide now!)

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Andy is the co-founder of Avrex Travel, where he shares his many travel experiences. Andy enjoys videography and creating great Road Trips for his readers.