Snæfellsjökull

Snæfellsjökull (Snow-Fell Glacier) stands at the tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, a glacier-capped stratovolcano visible from Reykjavík 120 km across the bay. Standing at 1,446 meters (4,744 ft) at the very tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, this glacier-capped stratovolcano is one of the most iconic sights in Iceland. On a clear day, its glistening white cone can be seen from Reykjavík, 120 km away across the bay, beckoning travelers to the west.

It is arguably the most famous volcano in literature, thanks to Jules Verne, and serves as the centerpiece of Snæfellsjökull National Park, the only national park in Iceland that stretches all the way to the coastline.

The Entrance to the Center of the Earth

In 1864, French author Jules Verne published his science fiction masterpiece, Journey to the Center of the Earth. In the book, the German professor Otto Lidenbrock discovers an ancient runic manuscript that leads him to Iceland. The message is clear:

“Descend, bold traveller, into the crater of the jokull of Sneffels, which the shadow of Scartaris touches before the Kalends of July, and you will attain the center of the earth.”

While geologists (and physics) tell us that volcanic tubes do not actually lead to the Earth’s core, the legacy of the book has forever tied Snæfellsjökull to adventure and mystery. Thousands of visitors come every year just to stand on the “entrance” to the underworld.

A Center of Energy

Beyond science fiction, Snæfellsjökull has a reputation in the New Age community as one of the seven great energy centers (chakras) of the Earth. Many people believe the mountain emanates a special cosmic energy.

• The Alien Connection: In 1993, thousands of people gathered on the glacier, believing that aliens would land on the summit on November 5th. No aliens appeared (that we know of), but the event cemented the mountain’s status as a hotspot for mystical tourism.
• Local Folklore: Icelandic folklore is rich with stories of the “Hidden People” (Huldufólk) living in the lava fields surrounding the volcano. The Bárðar Saga Snæfellsáss tells the story of Bárður, a half-man, half-troll settler who vanished into the ice cap to become the guardian spirit of the peninsula.

The National Park: Lava and Sea

Established in 2001, Snæfellsjökull National Park covers 170 square kilometers of diverse landscape. It is a place where fire meets ice and ocean.

The Lava Fields

The volcano has built a landscape of rugged beauty. Moss-covered lava fields stretch down to the sea, creating a stark contrast with the black sand beaches.

• Djúpalónssandur: A stunning black pebble beach. On the beach lie the rusted remains of the British trawler Epine GY7, which wrecked here in 1948. The iron pieces are left as a memorial to the men who perished.

The Trial of Strength

At Djúpalónssandur, you will find four smooth, round stones. These are the lifting stones used by historic fishing crews to test the strength of aspiring oarsmen.

1. Fullsterkur (Full Strong): 154 kg. Even lifting this onto a platform requires immense power.
2. Hálfsterkur (Half Strong): 100 kg.
3. Hálfdrættingur (Half Carrier): 54 kg.
4. Amlóði (Weakling/Useless): 23 kg. To earn a place on the boat, a man had to lift at least the Hálfdrættingur onto a hip-high ledge. Anything less, and he was deemed an Amlóði—a “useless” weakling unfit for the harsh seas. Visitors today still try their luck (and backs) against the stones.

Vatnshellir Cave

For those who want a real “journey into the earth” (albeit a short one), the Vatnshellir lava tube is accessible via guided tours. You descend 35 meters into an 8,000-year-old lava flow, following the path of ancient magma. It is pitch black, silent, and stunningly colorful due to mineral deposits.

Geography and Glaciology

Snæfellsjökull is an active volcano, though it has been dormant for about 1,800 years. Its plumbing system is independent of the main rift zones that slice through the center of Iceland, making it a “transitional” volcanic zone.

The glacier itself is receding rapidly. At turn of the 20th century, the ice cap covered about 22 square kilometers. Today, it is closer to 10 square kilometers. In recent warm summers, the summit has become almost completely ice-free for the first time in recorded history, a stark visual indicator of the changing climate in the Arctic.

Flora and Fauna

Despite the harsh volcanic environment, the park is teeming with life.

• Birdlife: The coastal cliffs at Lóndrangar and Þúfubjarg are packed with seabirds, including guillemots, kittiwakes, and fulmars. The Arctic tern fiercely defends its nests in the lava fields.
• Marine Life: The waters off the peninsula are rich in whales. Orcas, minke whales, and humpback whales can often be spotted from the shore.
• Arctic Foxes: The only native land mammal in Iceland roams the lava fields, often seen scavenging near the coast.

Creating the Journey

• Hiking the Glacier: It is possible to hike to the summit (1,446 m), but it requires glacier gear (crampons, ice axes, ropes) and knowledge of crevasse rescue. Several tour operators run guided hikes or snowcat tours (snowmobiles) to near the top.
• The View: From the summit on a clear day, the view is incomparable. You can see the Westfjords to the north, the Reykjanes Peninsula to the south, and sometimes all the way to Greenland in the west (though this is extremely rare and requires perfect atmospheric conditions).
• Driving: The peninsula can be circumnavigated in a day trip from Reykjavík, but it deserves at least two days. The road around the volcano offers constant scenic stops, from the rock arch of Gatklettur at Arnarstapi to the lonely church at Búðir.

Volcanic History

Though dormant for roughly 1,800 years, geological records show recurring eruptions over the past 700,000 years. Scientists have identified at least twenty significant eruptions in the last 10,000 years — an average of one every 500 years. The Icelandic Met Office monitors the volcano continuously with seismographs and GPS stations. While no imminent eruption is expected, the volcano is classified as active, not extinct. A future eruption could melt the glacier, triggering glacial floods (jökulhlaups) that would threaten surrounding coastal communities, and ash clouds could disrupt North Atlantic air traffic — much like the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption did.