Dritvík Cove
About Dritvík Cove
Dritvík is a quiet horseshoe of black pebbles at the tip of Snæfellsnes, and you can only reach it on foot. Today you might share Dritvík with a handful of walkers, yet in the 18th century up to 600 people crowded the cove each fishing season, according to Iceland's Environment Agency.
That history is the reason to come. Dritvík was one of the busiest fishing stations in the country, where crews rowed out from the beach and lived in rough shelters through the season, and low stone walls from those camps still sit above the shore. Tall lava stacks frame both sides of the bay, and on a calm day the water inside them turns a clear blue.
The cove lies inside Snæfellsjökull National Park in West Iceland, close to three hours' drive from Reykjavík and about 20 minutes from Arnarstapi. Park at the Djúpalónssandur lot at the end of Route 572, walk down to that beach, then follow the marked path west over the lava. The Environment Agency puts the walk at about 1 km, an easy trail that takes most people 15 to 20 minutes each way.
Give yourself about an hour and a half for Djúpalónssandur and the Dritvík cove together. Walkers with more time can stay on the old fishermen's track past Beruvíkuhraun to Sandhólar, about 4 km in total from Djúpalónssandur.
Summer is the easy season, with long light and dry footing on the lava. In winter the path can ice over and daylight is short, so bring traction and turn back if the trail looks slick. As on the neighboring beach, waves can surge high without warning, so keep well back from the water.
Good to know
How do you get to Dritvík?
Park at Djúpalónssandur at the end of Route 572 and walk west on the marked path. The trail is about 1 km and takes 15 to 20 minutes each way.
Can you drive to Dritvík?
No. There is no road to the cove itself, so the last stretch is a short walk over the lava from the Djúpalónssandur parking lot.
What is Dritvík known for?
Dritvík was one of Iceland's busiest fishing stations. In the 18th century up to 600 people worked from the cove during the fishing season.
Where is Dritvík?
Dritvík is on the western tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland, inside Snæfellsjökull National Park. It is close to three hours' drive from Reykjavík.
Can you hike from Dritvík to Sandhólar?
Yes. An old fishermen's track continues past Beruvíkuhraun to Sandhólar, about 4 km in total from Djúpalónssandur.
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