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Cliffs
Arnarstapi
About Arnarstapi
Arnarstapi is a tiny harbor village on the south side of Snæfellsnes, and the reason to stop is the shoreline right below it. Basalt columns, sea arches and churning rock pools line the coast, and in summer the ledges fill with nesting kittiwakes.
The village sits at the foot of Stapafell, with Snæfellsjökull rising behind it on clear days. It is about two and a half hours' drive from Reykjavík via Borgarnes, the last stretch on Road 574 along the peninsula's southern shore. From the parking lot in the village, the cliff edge is only a short walk away.
A marked coastal path runs southwest from Arnarstapi to the hamlet of Hellnar, across the edge of the Hellnahraun lava field. The Environment Agency of Iceland puts the walk at about 30 minutes, but most people take longer because of the arches and rifts along the way, including Gatklettur close to the village. The shore between the two villages has been a nature reserve since 1979, so stay on the path and give nesting birds space.
Near the shore stands a stone statue of Bárður Snæfellsás, the half-troll guardian of the peninsula from Bárðar saga, made by Ragnar Kjartansson. Down at the small harbor, fishing boats still tie up behind the breakwater. Among the old buildings in the village is the Amtmannshús, a former Danish official's residence that was moved away in 1849 and brought back in the 1980s.
Late spring and summer bring the birdlife and long evenings, while midday is when the tour buses arrive. Allow an hour for the cliffs around the village, or about two hours if you walk to Hellnar and back. In winter the path can be icy and the wind strong, so keep well back from the edge.
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Good to know
Where is Arnarstapi?
Arnarstapi is on the south coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland, below Mount Stapafell and Snæfellsjökull. Hellnar is the next village to the southwest along the shore.
How far is Arnarstapi from Reykjavík?
The drive takes about two and a half hours via Borgarnes, finishing on Road 574 along the south side of Snæfellsnes. Many people combine it with a full day around the peninsula.
How long is the walk from Arnarstapi to Hellnar?
The Environment Agency of Iceland gives about 30 minutes each way on the marked coastal path. With stops at the cliffs and arches, plan on about two hours for the round trip.
What is there to see in Arnarstapi?
The main sights are the basalt cliffs and sea arches, the kittiwake colonies, the small harbor and the statue of Bárður Snæfellsás. The coastal path to Hellnar links most of them.
Is Arnarstapi worth visiting?
Yes, if you're driving around Snæfellsnes. It takes little time, the cliffs are right next to the parking lot, and the coastal walk is one of the easiest good hikes on the peninsula.
When is the best time to visit Arnarstapi?
Late spring and summer are best for nesting birds and long daylight. Early morning or evening avoids the midday tour groups, and winter visits need care on icy paths.
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