My wife and I are thinking of the one-day trip from Reykjavik to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula that's in Rick Steve's Iceland guidebook. It will be in June/July, so we'll have the extra daylight, but it still looks like a lot of driving. Has anyone done this? Is it worth it? Do you have any suggestions for modifying it?
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7480 posts
We were in Iceland in April 2014, before there was a Rick Steves guidebook, so we used Lonely Planet. While staying in Reykjavik, we spent one day driving onto Snaefellsness and back to Reykjavik. I don’t know how far Rick’s drive goes (we never got far enough to see Mt. Snaefell), but it was a worthwhile excursion. We also got in a hike of about an hour, and also bought some homegrown strawberries (grown indoors!) displayed at the end of a home’s driveway, with an honesty box for paying for them. The whole island is volcanic, but Snaefullsness looked and felt different from the Golden Circle or southern coast parts.
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
2084 posts
We ha e been to Snaefellsness a few times and it is so worth it. One day is ok, you will have o drive past some thing, but will still see a lot. If there is any way to make it an overnight, do that. For some reason Snaellsness does not get enough love from guidebooks even though it is totally worthy. I can't get to my RS guidebook for a few days, so. can you share what his itinerary is? We were just there again this summer, so I can compare that to his.
Posted by
OP
PA
13 posts
Thank you for the feedback.
With a little more thought, we think it will be too much driving. for one day. So, we have a hotel, Miðhraun - Lava Resort, Miðhraun, 342 ,on the peninsula to give us more time. What are your top four "must-see" on the peninsula? Any advice on which direction to loop around the peninsula, clockwise or counterclockwise?
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
2084 posts
We have always gone clockwise. Do not miss the far left route. I can’t think of the road number right now but look at a map and you will see.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7364 posts
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/western-iceland-by-car-summer-2023
My long TR may mistakenly lead you to believe there are unpaved roads in your plan, but there are not. We slept just east of the fully-paved peninsula.
Posted by
OP
PA
13 posts
Thank you, everyone. It's all very helpful.
Posted by
186 posts
We are doing this as a full day. Staying nearby the previous night in Borgarnes, doing the Snaefellsnes, then finishing off in Stykkisholmur. The next morning we grab the ferry there to continue into the Westfjords. It'll be a long day but well worth from what I see.
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
2084 posts
pastorash--That will be a really nice day!That is what we did on our latest trip. Then we spent 10 days in the Westfjords before heading to other areas of the country.