Snæfellsjökull is a 700,000-year-old glacier-capped stratovolcano in western Iceland. It is situated on the most western part of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in Iceland. Sometimes it may be seen from the city of Reykjavík over Faxa Bay, at a distance of 120 km.
The mountain is one of the most famous sites of Iceland, primarily due to the novel Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864) by Jules Verne, in which the protagonists find the entrance to a passage leading to the center of the earth on Snæfellsjökull.
Getting there
Reykjavik is where most international flights land in Iceland. You should generally always consider renting a car for exploring Iceland. The same is true for visiting the national park. The drive from Reykjavik is around 3 hours and you can decide whether you want to do a day trip or extend your visit to the park.
When to visit
There is something to do in all seasons in the national park. The volcano is stunning in both summer and the colder seasons.
Map of Snæfellsjökull National Park
Image gallery of Snæfellsjökull National Park
Wildlife in Snæfellsjökull National Park
These sections shows you some of the characteristic wildlife to the national park.
Mushroom hunting in Snæfellsjökull National Park
Iceland is not popular for foraging in general. Much of the land is barren in the colder seasons and it's not a popular place for mushroom hunting. The same goes for the national park.
Camping rules in Snæfellsjökull National Park
Wild camping is not permitted in the national parks on Iceland. It is permitted on public lands if you hike to permitted areas with a tent. Make sure you check the land is public before pitching a tent and stay clear of national park land.
Bears in Snæfellsjökull National Park
No bears in the park
This national park has no bears and you do not need to take precautions.
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