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Explore Arnarstapi

Arnarstapi, Iceland

4.7/5
based on 3 reviews

Details

Distance

1.6 miles

Elevation Gain

0 ft

Route Type

Point-to-Point

Description

Added by Talia Touboul

Beautiful scenery at a historical monument. Stunning rock formations, amazing sunrises/sunsets and a really great hike.

Arnarstapi is a small village located on the southern side of Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is not as touristy as other places in Iceland, and really allows you to get a feel for what most of Iceland is like. Today the small town is a fishing village. Although summer months are a much busier than the winter ones, the village has much beauty to offer during the colder season.

Once you arrive in the village, Bardur Snaefellsas, a giant rock statue is immediately visible. Bardur is a character from ancient Icelandic saga. His monument is a perfect starting point to exploring the area. You can begin to see incredible rock formations as close as the Gatklettur "Arch Rock", which is a giant rock that formed into an arch. The arch is just down to the left of Bardur, if you are facing the water.

Along the coast is a hiking path called Nedstavatn you can take from Arnarstapi to Hellenar. This hike is a beautiful path of lava fields and stunning rock formations. The hike is about 2.5 km long, point-to-point, which takes about 1h to complete in one direction. When you arrive to Hellenar, you can grab a bite to eat at the Fjöruhúsið café, a popular place to enjoy the view.

This small town is a magnificent gem, and if you are in the area, well worth the stop.

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Features

Chillin
Photography
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Food Nearby
Picnic Area
Romantic
Scenic
Waterfall
Wildflowers
Wildlife

Reviews

This is a cool little stop if you are doing a loop around the peninsula. The formations are interesting and there is a nearby monument as well so you can see a few things with one stop to make the most of your time.

Situated on the western peninsula, overlooking the ocean, this place is stunning. You're situated on cliffs that rise several stories above the ocean. Behind you are the towering mountains. If you're lucky enough to be here on a blue sky day with scattered clouds, you'll be amazed at the shadows the clouds cast over the mountains and cliffs.

We didn't have time to walk the full 2.5k trail, but just stopping and hanging out at the top of the cliff for awhile was awesome. Great scenery and awesome location. I wish we had time to do the full 2.5k walk! If you are out on the peninsula, definitely worth a stop.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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