Home/Countries/Iceland/Nature & outdoors/Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell

The most photographed mountain in Iceland - a distinctive pointed peak on the Snaefellsnes peninsula, framed by a small waterfall.

Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map

Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.

Typemountain

WhereWestern Region

Nearest cityGrundarfjordur

Best seasonYear-round; winter for aurora

Time to allowOne to two hours

Getting thereOn the Snaefellsnes peninsula; about two and a half hours from Reykjavik

EntryFree

Kirkjufell, the Church Mountain, is the most photographed peak in Iceland, a distinctive steep-sided cone rising beside the sea on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Framed by the small Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground, with the northern lights overhead in winter, it forms one of the classic images of the country.

What you actually see

The pointed peak - the distinctive steep-sided mountain by the sea.
Kirkjufellsfoss - the small waterfall that frames the classic photograph.
Aurora over the mountain - the northern lights above it in winter.
The Snaefellsnes peninsula - the wider dramatic coast around it.

When to go

Year-round; the classic photo works in any season, with winter adding snow and aurora and summer adding green and long light. Sunrise and sunset flatter it.

Honest expectations

The famous view is essentially one photograph from the waterfall, so it is a quick stop rather than a long visit. Climbing the mountain itself is steep and dangerous, and not advised without a guide. It is on the Snaefellsnes loop, a couple of hours from Reykjavik.