The stops on a Snaefellsnes day trip

Berserkjahraun: what is the lava field?

A lava field on the north side of the peninsula formed over 4,000 years ago, and the Classic Day Tour's first stop (about 15 minutes).

The name means Berserkers' Lava, from a saga story. Moss-covered lava stretches between low craters, and it is the first sign of how volcanic the peninsula is.

Kirkjufell: how long is the stop?

About 30 minutes on the Classic Day Tour, at the viewpoint by the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall.

Kirkjufell, 463 metres high, beside Grundarfjörður, is often called the most photographed mountain in Iceland. More in the Kirkjufell guide.

Snæfellsjökull National Park: what will you see?

Snæfellsjökull, a 1,446-metre volcano under an ice cap, and the lava landscapes around it; the park was founded in 2001.

Jules Verne set the entrance to his Journey to the Centre of the Earth here. On a clear day the glacier is visible from much of the peninsula.

Djúpalónssandur: why is it famous?

For its black pebble beach, the rusted wreck of a British trawler that ran aground in 1948, and four lifting stones from 23 kg to 154 kg.

Fishermen once had to lift the stones to prove they were strong enough for the boats; the nearby cove of Dritvík was one of Iceland's busiest fishing stations in the 18th and 19th centuries. Swimming is prohibited because of dangerous waves and currents, and the polished pebbles must stay on the beach. The Classic gives it about 30 minutes, including the neighbouring cove of Dritvík.

Lóndrangar: what are the rock towers?

Two basalt volcanic plugs, 75 and 61 metres tall, left standing on the coast as the softer rock around them eroded away.

Tours stop at the viewpoint for 15 to 30 minutes. The pinnacles stand east of the Malarrif lighthouse on the south coast.

Arnarstapi: what is there to do?

Walk the cliff path past basalt columns and lava arches, including the Gatklettur sea arch, and see the stone statue of Bárður Snæfellsás.

Bárður is the half-troll guardian spirit of the peninsula in local saga. Some tours give 40 to 50 minutes here, and the Classic about 30, at a stop that includes the Snjófell restaurant. A coastal path runs on to the hamlet of Hellnar.

Want more time at Arnarstapi? This small group gives it about 50 minutes.

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Ytri Tunga: will you see seals?

Often, but not always: seals rest on the rocks off this golden beach, and tours stop for 15 to 40 minutes depending on the operator.

The rocks are uneven and slippery, and one reviewer noted it is not easy for older visitors. Keep your distance and keep quiet; seals slip into the water when disturbed.

Búðakirkja: what is the black church?

A small black wooden church at Búðir, rebuilt in 1848 on the site of a church first built in 1703, coated in black pitch to protect the wood.

It stands alone at the edge of the Búðahraun lava field, a classic photo stop of about 10 minutes. For how the tours compare on price and pickup, see Snaefellsnes tour prices.

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