Breakfast at Siglufjörður Airbnb
Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation or visit a local bakery like Frida Chocolaterie & Café for pastries and coffee.
11-Day Iceland Ring Road Adventure
July 14-24, 2025
🌊 Day 9: Troll Peninsula to Snæfellsnes
July 22
"The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."
Day Summary
Journey from the remote beauty of North Iceland's Troll Peninsula to the dramatic landscapes of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Today's route showcases the incredible diversity of Iceland's scenery, from historic turf churches and ancient fortresses, to dramatic sea stacks, hidden waterfalls, and finally the iconic Kirkjufell mountain. This transition day covers significant distance but rewards you with some of Iceland's most distinctive and photogenic landscapes.
Total Driving: ~395 km (245 miles), 5 hours 30 minutes
- Siglufjörður to Grafarkirkja: ~70 km (43 miles), 1 hour
- Grafarkirkja to Hofsós Swimming Pool: ~15 km (9 miles), 15 minutes
- Hofsós to Hvítserkur: ~135 km (84 miles), 1 hour 45 minutes
- Hvítserkur to Bergárfoss Waterfall: ~25 km (16 miles), 30 minutes
- Bergárfoss Waterfall to Kirkjufell Mountain: ~150 km (93 miles), 2 hours
Daily Schedule
Drive to Grafarkirkja
Begin your journey south, leaving the beautiful Siglufjörður behind as you head toward Iceland's oldest preserved church.
Grafarkirkja
Visit what's believed to be Iceland's oldest church, built in the 17th century. This small turf church features unique hand-carved wooden beams inside and a traditional turf roof set against a mountain backdrop.
Hofsós Swimming Pool
Take a quick swim in this infinity-style pool with stunning fjord views if you missed it yesterday. The pool is designed to create the illusion that you're swimming directly into the fjord.
Drive to Hvítserkur
Continue your journey toward the dramatic sea stack known as Hvítserkur, stopping for lunch along the way.
Hvítserkur
Marvel at this dramatic 50-foot high basalt stack rising from the sea that resembles a dragon drinking from the ocean. According to folklore, it's a petrified troll caught by the sunrise while trying to destroy a monastery.
Bergárfoss Waterfall
Detour to this hidden gem, considered the prettiest and most secluded waterfall in North Iceland. Rarely visited even by locals, this waterfall offers a tranquil setting away from the crowds.
Drive to Kirkjufell Mountain
Make the final leg of today's journey to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and its iconic mountain.
Kirkjufell Mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss
Experience Iceland's most photographed mountain, a distinctively shaped peak rising 463 meters from the ocean. The small triple waterfall in front (Kirkjufellsfoss) creates a perfect foreground for photos of this iconic landscape.
Check in at The Old Post Office
Arrive at your accommodation in Grundarfjörður, a charming harbourside town near Kirkjufell.
Dinner at Hotel Restaurant
Enjoy dinner at your hotel's restaurant, which offers fresh local seafood and other Icelandic specialties.
Key Highlights of the Day
- Photographing the iconic Kirkjufell mountain
- The dramatic dragon-shaped Hvítserkur sea stack
- The secluded beauty of Bergárfoss waterfall
- Iceland's oldest church at Grafarkirkja
Accommodations
The Old Post OfficeGrundargata 50, Grundarfjörður, 350 Iceland
Cost: $500.22
Room Type: Double or Twin Room, Private Bathroom
Note: Cruise ships in port in Akureyri today include Celebrity Silhouette (2,852 passengers) and Volendam (1,432). This itinerary is designed to avoid northern towns during cruise ship hours.
Alternative Activities
- Whale Watching with Laki Tours: Better chance to see orcas than from Húsavík. This 3-hour tour explores the waters around Snæfellsnes with high success rates for whale sightings in summer.
- F570 Jökulshálsvegur: Mountain road closest to Snæfellsjökull glacier offering spectacular views. Suitable for your 4WD Suzuki Vitara and provides access to the glacier and surrounding lava fields.
- Skagafjörður Folk Museum: Learn about the turf houses Icelanders used to call home. This open-air museum features preserved turf buildings from different eras that you can enter and explore.
- Borgarvirki Fortress: Ancient Viking fortress built on a natural volcanic plug with 360° views of the surrounding countryside. This natural basalt formation was modified in the 10th century to create a stronghold.
- Grundarfjörður Swimming Pool: Relax in this local swimming pool with hot tubs after a long day of driving. Mingling with locals at communal pools is an authentic Icelandic experience.
Bad Weather Alternatives
- Volcano Museum: Educational exhibition about volcanoes and volcanic activity in Iceland, featuring art, artifacts, and scientific information.
- Library of Water: Unique art installation featuring 24 glass columns filled with water collected from major glaciers around Iceland. Also serves as a community center.
- Icelandic Settlement Center: Museum telling the story of Iceland's settlement and the Saga of Egill Skallagrímsson through interactive exhibits.
Hot Springs
- Grettislaug: A historic hot spring with connections to Icelandic sagas, if not visited on Day 8.Location: Near SauðárkrókurCost: 1,000 ISK (~$7) per person
- Guðrúnarlaug: Another historic hot spring with saga connections, reconstructed based on medieval descriptions.Location: Near Laugar in SælingsdalurCost: Free
- Grundarfjörður Swimming Pool: Located in the town where you're staying, this local pool has hot tubs with views of Kirkjufell mountain. Perfect for relaxing after your long driving day.Location: GrundarfjörðurCost: 900 ISK (~$7) per person✨ Evening Relaxation
Notes
- This is a significant driving day (about 5.5 hours total) but broken up with diverse and interesting stops.
- Consider doing some of the longer optional activities tomorrow if you're feeling tired from the drive.
- Kirkjufell looks best in evening light, so the late arrival works well for photography.