only an hours‘ drive from Reykjavik
Driving in West Iceland is very comfortable since most roads are paved and there are no high mountain roads to travel. Roads are easily passable all year round and information on road conditions is available on the web of the The Icelandic Road Administration, vegagerdin.is.
The Hvalfjordur Tunnel is 5,7 km long and shortens the journey around West Iceland. Information about toll rates is available at spolur.is. If there is plenty of time, a drive through Hvalfjordur is an excellent opportunity to experience the fjord‘s beauty and many interesting stops to be found on the way.
Busses run on a regular basis between the capital and Akranes, see straeto.is route 57.
Scheduled buses run from Reykjavík to Reykholt in Borgarfjordur, around Snaefellsnes peninsula and to the north of the country via Borgarnes. Further information is available a bsi.is
No scheduled flights are available in West Iceland but several airfields without regular service are found in this part of the country.
Ferry Baldur runs according to schedule from Stykkisholmur to Brjanslaekur all year round. During the summer stops are made in Flatey which makes it possible to stay behind and experience life on this unique island. Further information on trips and schedules is at seatours.is.
Gerduberg basalt columns
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An impressive wall of beautiful basalt columns, forming geometric patterns in the cliffs.
46 km from Borgarnes on the way to Snaefellsnes peninsula.
54
311, Borgarnes
Arnarstapi
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Arnarstapi was an important trading post in the past and had a much bigger population than it has now.
Columnar basalt, ravines and grottoes ...
On the southern side of Snæfellsnes peninsula,119 km from Borgarnes
574
356, Snæfellsbær
Djupalonssandur & Dritvik
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Djupalonssandur is a beautiful pebbled beach, with a series of rocks of mysterious form emerging from the ocean.
It is one of the few areas that ...
South of Snaefellsnes glacier, 10 km from the village Hellnar.
574
360, Hellissandur
Flatey Island
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Flatey means "flat island". The old houses, shops and warehouse buildings on Flatey reflect the optimism and development of the period around ...
An Island in Breidafjordur Bay
58
345, Flatey á Breiðafirði
Gatklettur - Arch Rock
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Gatklettur - Arch Rock - is a cliff with a circular arch. Rock Arch shows how distinctive wave action has eroded the rocks into arches and beautifurl ...
Near Arnarstapi, south east of Snaefellsjokull glacier.
574
356, Snæfellsbær
Helgafell Holy Mountain
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Holy Mountain, 73 m with a breathtaking panoramic view across Breiðafjordur Bay. A viewing dial is at the top.
Folklore advises anyone climbing the ...
About 2 km south of Stykkisholmur.
58
340, Stykkishólmur
Hellnar
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For centuries, Hellnar was among the largest fishing villages beneath the Snaefellsjokull ice cap.
Valasnos, a freestanding rock, extends east of ...
Close to the Snæfellsjökull glacier, 121 km from Borgarnes
574
356, Snæfellsbær
Saxholl crater
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Saxholl is a crater which is easy to climb. There is a great view over the area from the top.
On the western side of Snaefellsjokull glacier, 9 km south of Hellissandur village.
574
360, Hellissandur
Snaefellsjokull glacier
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Snaefellsjokull Glacier - the beautiful magnet of the Peninsula, 1446 m. It is an active volcano and provided the setting for Jules Vernes famous ...
A landmark: can be seen from many places, e.g. Reykjavik, 180 km away.
570
360, Hellissandur
Holaholar Crater Area
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Holaholar 113 m, an ancient crater area also believed to be an elf town/community.
A track passes through the wall of Berudalur Valley and into a ...
South of Snaefellsjokull glacier, 14 km from the village Hellnar.
574
360, Hellissandur
Londrangar basalt cliffs
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Uniquely-formed remnants of ancient basalt volcanic dikes sticking out from the sea.
Londrangar and the hill Svalthufa are the remains of a crater, ...
South of Snaefellsjökull glacier, 10 km west of the village Hellnar.
574
360, Hellissandur
Olkelda mineral spring
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At the farm Olkelda, near Stadarstadar, in the south of Snaefellsnes, there is a mineral spring with carbonated water.
Mineral springs are said to ...
On the south side of Snaefellsnes peninsula, 78 km from Borgarnes on road no 54.
54
311, Borgarnes
Ytri Tunga
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The beach near the abandoned farm of Ytri Tunga is well-known for its seal colony. The seals are friendly and curious and will climb up on the rocks ...
On the southern side of Snaefellsnes peninsula, by road no. 54, 15 km before Hotel Budir.
54
356, Snæfellsbær
Kirkjufell mountain
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This well-known landmark for Grundarfjordur is believed by many to be the most beautiful mountain in Iceland.
A hiking path around the base of the ...
In Grundarfjordur on the northern part of Snaefellsnes peninsula.
54
350, Grundarfjörður
Vatnshellir Cave
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The cave Vatnshellir is a 100 m long lava-cave in the south slopes of Purkhólahraun lava flow. The lava and the cave are believed to be aproaximately ...
South of Snaefellsjokull Glacire, west og Hellnar village
574
360, Hellissandur
Bardarlaug pool
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Bardarlaug at Hellnar is a crater pool and said to have been the bathing pool of the Bardur Snaefellsas.
This demi-troll, instead of dying like ...
By Hellnar, south east of Snaefellsjokull glacier by road no 574, 122 km from Borgarnes.
574
356, Snæfellsbær
Drapuhlidarfjall Mountain
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Drapuhlidarfjall Mountain is beautifully colourful. It is composed of sulphur, basalt, jasper, rhyolite and lignite. As usual with lignite deposits, ...
Near Stykkisholmur by road no 54.
54
340, Stykkishólmur
Longufjorur Beach
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Longufjorur is a light sandy beach on the south shore of Snaefellsnes peninsula. This beach is perfect for horseriding with a guide.
On the southern part of Snaefellsnes peninsula.
54
311, Borgarnes
Stapafell
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Stapafell is a volcanic mountain on the south side of Snæfellsjökull. This palagonitic pyramide is 526 m in height og rather eroded at the sides.
On ...
about 3 km to the north of Hellnar
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How to Get to West Iceland
Cycling
West Iceland is ideal for the cyclist, due to the nature of its tourist highlights and short distances.
By Bus
Bus services are run several times a day on a regular basis from the Bus Central Hyrnan in Borgarnes to other destinations in West Iceland, such as the Snæfellsnes peninsula and the north of Iceland. There are also bus services to the Dalir district and the Westfjords. For information on summer and winter schedules, see
sterna.is. Ferry Baldur
Ferry Baldur daily crosses Breiðafjordur Bay between Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Brjánslækur in the north. Taking the ferry considerably shortens the route between West Iceland and the West Fjords regions. It gives you the opportunity to experience a floating restaurant.
For schedule, prices and online bookings please visit
Seatours Website.
Flights
There are no scheduled flights to West Iceland. The nearest airport for domestic flights is in Reykjavik. International airport in Keflavik is about one and a half hour drive away.
Airfields
There are some airfields in West Iceland for smaller planes but they are without any service, e.g.: Stori Kroppur in Borgarfjordur, Husafell, Dagverdara on the southern side of Snaefellsnes peninsula, Rif, Stykkisholmur and in Budardal. Kaldarmelar has a grass surface runway.