The route through Snaefellsbaer, part one. Snaefellsjokull

Icelandic

The route through Snæfellsbær

Part one Snæfellsbær is the municipal unit covering the villages around the Snæfellsjökull glacier, and extends west from Elliðahamar in Staðarsveit (on the southern side of the peninsula) to Búlandshöfði, which lies between Ólafsvík and Grundarfjörður. Road No. 54 winds through the meadows and lakes of Staðarsveit, passing Staður, where Ari the Learned wrote his Book of the Icelanders, and perhaps an early version of the Book of Settlements. Langaholt was the home of the settler Langaholts-Þóra, who, according to the Book of Settlements, "had a hall built across the main road, and always had tables spread; she herself sat on a chair outside and drew in guests who wanted something to eat." There is a school, a swimming pool and a community centre at Lýsuhóll. The water in the pool is naturally carbonated and is regarded as good for bathing in. Rare stones and unusual precipitates from the natural hot water can be found at Lýsuhóll.

From Axlarhyrna, Road No. 54 runs north across the Fróðárheiði heath to Ólafsvík. Impressive views can be had north across Breiðafjörður and south across Faxaflói from the top of the heath. At Búðir, on the coast below Axlarhyrna, there are interesting archaeological remains and a church which is in the keeping of the National Museum. The Búðahraun lava-field was produced by eruptions from two separate craters which form an elevation known as Búðarklettur. The lava is well covered in vegetation, which includes some species which are rare elsewhere in Iceland. Búðahraun and its surroundings are protected.

Continuing west from Axlarhyrna, one follows Road No. 574 around the bay Breiðavík to Arnarstapi. One of the inhabitants at the farm Öxl in former times was Axlar-Björn, who with 16 murders on his conscience was the most notorious serial killer in Iceland's history and was executed for his crimes. The narrow gorge Rauðfeldsgjá runs into the palagonite mountain Rauðfeld in Breiðavík. The mountain road to Ólafsvík over Jökulhóls, on the east of the mountain Stapafell, is passable by passenger cars only during the middle of summer. A large summer holiday centre has grown up at Arnarstapi, and the beautiful natural harbour there is used by summer-season fishermen. A special feature of Arnarstapi is the statue by Ragnar Kjartansson of Bárður Snæfellsás, a semi-mythological figure who features in an ancient saga about this area. A pleasant walking route which takes about half an hour links Arnarstapi and Hellnar, a small village with a beautiful harbour.

The spring Maríulindin/Gvendarbrunnur is where the Virgin Mary is supposed to have appeared to Bishop Guðmundur the Good, who blessed the spring in 1230. The coast below Hellnar, running all the way to Arnarstapi and Sölvahamar, consists mainly of basalt columns, and is preserved as a national monument. The road leading down to Hellnar runs along a volcanic crater named Bárðarlaug; this contains the actual Bárðarlaug ("Bárður's bath"), a pool where Bárður Snæfellsás is supposed to have bathed.

On the top of Snæfellsjökull at summer solsite.

Tourists at the naturar preserved Hellnabeach.

The harbour of Ólafsvík on a foggy night.

The harbour of Arnarstapi whith mount Stapafell and Snæfellsglacier in the background.