If you´re looking for a real one day adventure with hiking, glaciers and sightseeing, sign up for Snæfellsjökull.
The Snæfellsjökull glacier lies on top of a volcano and its peak reaches 1446m (4745 ft.). The Mountain was first climbed in 1754 and like many other volcanoes in Iceland, it is still active- the latest eruption occurred 1800 years ago. Snæfellsjökull became world famous after Jules Verne described it in his book of “A Journey to the Center of the Earth” as the starting point of the journey.
Hiking or cross-country skiing on this glacier is some of the options to visit the glacier, which will bring you unforgettable memories and will challenge you for the whole day. To rich Snæfellsjökull glacier you have to drive towards Snæfellsnes Peninsula and passing the 6 km long underwater tunnel, which was constructed to cut and reduce the driving time between Reykjavik and Snæfellsnes peninsula. Passing by Stykkisholmur, one of the coziest Icelandic harbor town you drive towards mountains and glaciers, along the west coast with farms on your way.
The hike will take about 5-6 hours with average ascend time of 3-5 hours, 1-2 added if you decide to do it in winter time and snow.The total elevation gain is 760 m (2,500 ft.) and the total hiking distance is 7-8 km (4,5-5 miles). Through moraines and hills you will find your way to the glacier. There will be a moment you will have to put a specialized ice-climbing gear like crampons and axes to walk on a glacier. In the winter time if you go on Snæfellsjökull with no specialized vehicle you will have to leave it just at the entrance of the road and add at least 5km of walk for each way, otherwise you can get there till the parking lot closer to the foot of the volcano.
To hike Snæfellsjökull glacier you should be prepared to walk for hours, it´s not a very difficult walk, although can convert itself in partially challenging due to different weather conditions. Also, as you will be walking on a glacier you have to have an experience in glacier hiking if you´ve decided to do it on your own. Otherwise you can find yourself in some difficult situations and sometimes even life threatening situations. Do not attempt and ascent without a proper briefing about road conditions and weather forecast. There is none or poor phone reception from Hellissandur to Lóndrangar. Appropriate clothing, enough food, ice equipment, good energy and determination are a must in order to complete your mission.
Headlamps are necessary if you will hike in the winter time when days are short. Choose a day with a perfect weather condition. No wind and good visibility will help you to experience the immense beauty of an Icelandic nature and you will be rewarded with endless self-satisfaction once at the top admiring unbelievable Iceland’s gorgeousness.
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