16 Day Grand Tour of Iceland via the ring road

Day 1: Reykjavík − Grundarfjörður/Stykkishólmur

Leave the capital through the suburb Mosfellsbær on road no. 1 that runs on the seaward side of Mount Esja to reach the mouth of the Hvalfjörður fjord.

The tunnel underneath the fjord Hvalfjörður leads you to the other side of the fjord.

Hvalfjarðargöng

• Tunnel underneath the fjord Hvalfjörður.
• Built 1996-1998, 5.6 km long, 165 m deep (measured from sea level).
• Obligatory toll is about 1.000 ISK.

Right after leaving the tunnel turn right and follow road no. 1 to reach Borgarnes.

Borgarnes

• Small town, 2.500 inhabitants, living on industry and services.
• Restaurant, services, shopping center Hyrnan.
• One of the sites of the Saga of Egill Skallagrímsson.
• Interesting botanical garden with a relief sculpture of Egill Skallagrímsson.

Leave Borgarnes on road no. 54 (Snæfellsnesvegur) towards the peninsula Snæfellsnes

Possible stop at Borg á Mýrum, famous church and parsonage with sculpture Sonatorrek (“Irretrievable Loss of Sons”) by Ásmundur Sveinsson, based on a poem from Egils saga.

Eldborg

• Crater (100 m above sea level, 200 m in diameter, 50 m deep) in the middle of a lava field (Eldborgarhraun).
• Walking path (30 min. walk) from road no. 1. 
• Protected area!

Continue on road no. 54, near Búðir go straight onto road no. 574 (Útnesvegur).

Búðahraun

• Lava field on the south shore of Snæfellsnes peninsula.
• Church from 19th century at Búðir.
• Yellow sand beach, rare in Iceland.

Arnarstapi and Hellnar

• Two fishing villages.
• Beautiful and striking coast line, interesting rock formations, basalt columns, gorges, caves, sea bird colonies.
• Walking paths to the caves and sea bird colonies.
• Services: restaurant, sightseeing, gas station.

Snæfellsjökull

Continue on road no. 574.

• The area is dominated by the volcano and glacier Snæfellsjökull (1446 m high) which is believed to be a place of supernatural power.
•  One of the most famous volcanoes in Iceland featured in novels by Jules Verne and Icelandic writer Halldór Laxness.  

Dritvík

• For centuries one of the busiest fishing-stations, once inhabiting 600 seasonal workers.
• Walking path to the shore (Djúpalónssandur), where there are four well-known lifting stones which fishermen would try their strength at, as mentioned in folk tales.

Ólafsvík

• Small town (900 inhabitants), good harbor facilities, rich offshore fishing grounds.
• Museum in a 19th century warehouse.
• All necessary services.

Continue on road no. 574 and 54 to Grundarfjörður. 

Grundarfjörður

• Fishing and trading center since the 18th century.
• Named after the fjord Grundarfjörður.
• Population about 850.
• French fishermen built a church and several houses in the town.

• Accommodation recommended at Grundarfjörður Hostel.
• Information on Grundarfjörður Hostel see website.

If you prefer staying at Stykkishólmur Hostel continue on road no. 54 and 58.

Stykkishólmur

• Town (1230 inhabitants), fishing and trading center.
• For centuries a focal point for settlement in the Breiðafjörður area.
• Modern church, concert hall.
• Museum close to the harbor in the “Norwegian House”.
• Ferry Baldur to Brjánslækur (West fjords).
• Boat trips with bird watching.
• Tourist information center. 

• Information on Stykkishólmur Hostel see website