West Iceland: Waterfalls, Lava Caves and Icelandic History

In West Iceland, the sights range from landscapes of lava and water to Icelandic literary history. Snæfellsjökull National Park lies at the edge of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland and stretches from the mountain summit down to the sea. Two visitor centres in the national park are open year-round. Whether you choose your trip for its natural attractions or are interested in culture, history or hiking, you will find specific destinations here.

Landscapes between summit and sea

The national park’s location and extent give it a distinctive setting: the mountain is as much a part of its landscape as the sea. This can help with planning if you would like to focus on different aspects of nature.

Hraunfossar offers a distinctive natural feature. There, clear, cold underground springs emerge through the lava and flow into the Hvítá River as small waterfalls and rapids. The waterfalls have been protected since 1987. If you are interested in the interplay of water and lava, this is a specific landscape feature to explore, distinct from a hike or cultural programme.

Near Grundarfjörður, Kirkjufell rises 463 metres above sea level on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. At the foot of the mountain is Kirkjufellsfoss, a waterfall that provides a popular foreground for iconic photographs. The mountain and waterfall are two clearly defined sights: the distinctive mountain and the waterfall at its foot. At Ytri Tunga beach, meanwhile, the focus is on wildlife watching. The seal colony there is easy to reach, and seals can be seen year-round.

Hikes and caves

Glymur, Iceland’s highest waterfall, lies in the Botnsdalur valley by Hvalfjörður. The round-trip hike takes about four hours, passes a rock arch and includes a river crossing. Allow for the approximate duration when planning your day; this is a dedicated hike, not a short stop along the way. The river crossing is a specific feature of the route to consider before deciding to take this hike.

The Víðgelmir lava cave offers another distinctive experience. It is one of the largest lava caves in the world. Bones and jewellery dating from the Viking Age were found in the cave in 1993. Entry is permitted only with a knowledgeable guide, so a guided tour is a requirement for visiting the cave. If you are interested in natural formations and historical finds, you can consider both aspects when choosing your destinations.

Icelandic history and literature

At Eiríksstaðir, visitors can try out authentic Viking tools. Storytelling events about Iceland in the 10th century are also held there. The chance to try the tools yourself offers a hands-on introduction to the subject, while the storytelling events provide a different focus. Reykholt is a historic site where some of the most important works of Old Icelandic literature were written. For travellers who would like to include history and literature as well as landscapes in their trip, these offer different cultural points of interest.

Snorrastofa offers historical exhibitions, guided tours and lectures. There are several formats to choose from: you can visit exhibitions, join a tour or attend a lecture. Together with the literary and historical themes, these options let you include cultural interests when choosing experiences, without focusing your trip solely on nature destinations.

Route idea and choosing a holiday apartment

The Silver Circle is a scenic route through Borgarfjörður. It links waterfalls, hot springs, lava caves, the rural countryside and the landscape of sagas. The route therefore offers a broad range of themes for travellers who want to include different landscape and cultural attractions in their trip. West Iceland is also a natural starting point for travellers continuing along the Westfjords Way.

When looking for a holiday apartment, you could first consider what you want to focus on during your stay: wildlife watching, hiking, caves, waterfalls or history. The destinations and route described here suit different travel interests, so choose according to the themes you would like to explore during your time in West Iceland. If continuing along the Westfjords Way is part of your trip, you can also take that into account when choosing your destination.

For further regional orientation, the direct subregions are listed here: Ólafsvík, Stykkishólmur, Hellnar, Búdardalur, Grundarfjördur, Borgarnes, Hellissandur, Akranes, Hvammur, Leirá, Hvanneyri, Skorradalur, Reynivellir, Budhir, Hjarðarholt, Álftanes, Snæfellsbær, Miklholt, Brimilsvellir, Akrar, Kleppjárnsreykir, Snóksdalur and Arnarstapi.

For the broader travel overview: Iceland.