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Snaefellsjokull (Icelandic spelling: Snæfellsjökull) National Park was established on June 28, 2001 and is therefore Iceland´s newest national park. Its boundaries follow the eastern border of the Gufuskalar estate on the northern part of the peninsula, a line east of the glacier and along the eastern edge of the Haahraun lava field to the Gjafavik cove in the south. Snaefellsjokull National Park is Iceland’s only national park to extend to the seashore and it covers an area of 170 km2 (65 sq. miles). The coast is varied and alive with birdlife during the breeding season. The coastal plain is mostly covered by lava that flowed from the glacier or nearby craters. The lava is covered with moss but sheltered hollows can be found in many places, filled with a sizable variety of thriving, verdant plants. Snaefellsjokull glacier towers majestically over the Park, with trails of lava and signs of volcanic activity clearly visible on its flanks. The geology of Snaefellsnes Peninsula is diverse with formations from almost every era of Iceland’s past. The more prominent formations in and around the National Park mainly date from geologically “modern” times back to the last ice age. Lava is prominent on the landscape of this National Park with two types present – rough, jagged lava and smooth, ropy lava. Most of the lava emanated from the glacier, from the summit crater or from subsidiary craters on the flanks of the mountain. These lava formations are varied and fascinating, and there is a wealth of caves in the area. Perhaps all the caves and the lava inspired Jules Verne to choose the top crater at Snaefellsjokull as the entry point in his famous novel, Journey to the Center of the Earth. Visitors are advised not to enter caves unless accompanied by an experienced guide. Another famous novel from the area Christianity under the Glacier by Iceland´s Nobel Prize Winner Halldor Kiljan Laxness.
The adventurous Bárður Saga Snæfellsás is the best known of the Icelandic Sagas that take place in Snæfellsnes. There are archaeological remains from the period of Iceland’s settlement around 1100 years ago – examples of which are the Forni-Saxhóll farm, Berutóftir and Írskubúðir. Near Gufuskálar there are a large number of dome-like structures of unknown origin, thought to be between 500 and 700 years old. They are probably the oldest known relics of the fishing industry in Scandinavia. Along the Snaefellsnes peninsula there were fishing outfits, where hundreds of fishermen fished the rich fishing grounds near the coast using open rowboats. The most renowned among them is Dritvik, where the fisheries probably started in the 16th century, and according to the annals between 300 and 400 fishermen, using 60 boats, spent the time during the fishing seasons. Ruins of their abodes and a lava maze on the hill south of the cove are protected. Fishing flourished in the 13th century and the human population grew in the areas around the glacier. A church had been built on Ingjaldshóll hill before 1200 AD. The size of the church bears witness to the sizeable population of nearby towns and villages, at least during fishing season. Fishing declined on Snaefellsnes Peninsula during the 19th century because of changes in fishing techniques.
National parks are amongst Iceland's finest assets and everyone is free to explore them. Park Rangers operate in the area during the summer months, providing information as well as monitoring and tending the area. Villages close to the National Park include Hellissandur, Rif and Ólafsvík. They were all fishing and commercial centres.
Please keep to marked trails. Vehicles and bicycles are restricted to roads and tracks. Horse trekking is allowed only on marked bridle paths. Riders are requested to contact a Park Ranger. There are no campsites in the National Park but backpackers may camp for one night. You are welcome to explore the area but please help us conserve its ecology, its remarkable geological features and its tranquillity. Do not drive off roads, disturb geological formations or wildlife, or light fires. Please take your litter with you.
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