National park · Iceland
Snæfellsjökull National ParkSnæfellsjökull þjóðgarður
Visit Snæfellsjökull National Park: buy a park entry ticket (check), drive the coastal road 574 to the northern entrance (30 min from Hellissandur), hike the Djúpalónssandur trail (2 km (1.2 mi), easy) in summer, and consider a guided summit tour in July–August; avoid the park in winter if you lack snow gear.Visit Snæfellsjökull National Park: buy a park entry ticket (check), drive the coastal road 574 to the northern entrance (30 min from Hellissandur), hike the Djúpalónssandur trail (1.2 mi (2 km), easy) in summer, and consider a guided summit tour in July–August; avoid the park in winter if you lack snow gear.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
170 km² (66 sq mi)66 sq mi (170 km²)
approximate
Established
2001
Best months
May–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Iceland ↗Iceland is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
- Iceland ↗Driving off marked roads is illegal and fined heavily; F-roads into the highlands open only in summer and require a 4x4.
- Iceland ↗Check the road authority's conditions map and the Met Office forecast every morning, and leave a travel plan on SafeTravel for hikes and remote drives.
- West Iceland ↗A hire car is the practical way around; buses exist but are sparse and slow.
- West Iceland ↗Fill up in Borgarnes or Stykkishólmur; stations thin out on the peninsula's western end.
At a glance
- Country
- Iceland
- Area
- 170 km² (66 sq mi)66 sq mi (170 km²)
- The park covers about 170 km² of land and sea (check).
- Established
- 2001
- Best months
- May–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Snæfellsjökull National Park protects the ice‑capped volcano and surrounding lava fields, cliffs, black‑sand beaches and coastal wildlife on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, offering easy coastal walks and guided glacier summit tours.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteIcelandic national park.
Size and age
170 km² (66 sq mi)66 sq mi (170 km²) · national park since 2001
The park covers about 170 km² of land and sea (check).
Why go
- Iconic ice‑capped volcano that inspired Jules Verne.
- Coastal scenery with sea stacks, lava fields and black‑sand beaches.
- Accessible hikes from the northern entrance near Hellissandur.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanShort daylight, possible snow.
- FebShort daylight, snow.
- MarIncreasing daylight, still cool.
- AprLonger days, mild.
- MayFull daylight, good weather.
- JunLong days, ideal for hiking.
- JulWarm, best for summit tours.
- AugWarm, good for hiking.
- SepCooler, still good.
- OctShort days, possible early snow.
- NovShort daylight, cold.
- DecVery short daylight, snow.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arctic foxesJun–Aug · Rare sightings near coastal cliffs. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Seabirds (gulls, kittiwakes)May–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Reykjavík
Drive north on Route 1 (≈180 km (112 mi), 2.5 h) then follow road 574 to the northern entrance near Hellissandur.Drive north on Route 1 (≈112 mi (180 km), 2.5 h) then follow road 574 to the northern entrance near Hellissandur.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
From Borgarnes
Take Route 1 north, then turn onto road 574; the entrance is 30 min from Borgarnes.
1 h
Open the page →
From Ólafsvík
Follow local signs to the park gate on road 574; the town is 10 km (6.2 mi) west of the entrance.Follow local signs to the park gate on road 574; the town is 6.2 mi (10 km) west of the entrance.
15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Northern entrance (Hellissandur) | Visitor centre, parking, information board. | Open year‑round, free parking. |
| Coastal trail zone | Djúpalónssandur, Londrangar, Skarðsvík Beach. | Open, no fee. |
| Summit area | Snæfellsjökull glacier and volcano. | Guided tours only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are from the official park site; locations of trails are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No fee for entry (check). |
| Guided summit tour | ISK 12,000–20,000 (≈ US$100–170) | person | Typical price; varies by operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Guided summit permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times; some trails restrict pets.
- Camping
- Only allowed in designated campgrounds; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires are forbidden; use designated grills only.
- Guides
- Required for summit and any off‑trail glacier travel.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel Hellissandur
Comfortable rooms, restaurant, 5 min walk to entrance.
Near the park
Guesthouse Ólafsvík
Budget rooms, good base for coastal hikes.
Safety
Weather change high
Glacier crevasses high
Road conditions medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre and short coastal paths are wheelchair accessible.
- Longer trails and summit area are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned accommodation.
- Use marked trails to protect fragile vegetation.
- Leave no waste; pack out all litter.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Snæfellsjökull National Park?
There is no entrance fee; a donation is optional at the visitor centre. Guided summit tours cost around 12 000–20 000 ISK per person.
What are the best hikes in Snæfellsjökull National Park?
The easy coastal walk at Djúpalónssandur (2 km) and the viewpoint at Londrangar are good for all abilities. For a full‑day experience, the guided summit trek to the glacier is the top hike.
When is the best time to visit Snæfellsjökull National Park?
July–August offers the longest daylight and the best conditions for the summit. Late May to early September is ideal for coastal hikes.
Can I drive to the park without a 4WD vehicle?
Yes, the main northern entrance on road 574 is paved. Some coastal roads are gravel but passable with a standard car.
Are dogs allowed in the park?
Dogs are permitted on a leash on most trails, but some areas restrict pets to protect wildlife.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Snæfellsjökull National Park
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