Öndverðarnes Headland
About Öndverðarnes Headland
Öndverðarnes is the low lava headland at the far western tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland, inside Snæfellsjökull National Park. A small orange lighthouse marks the point, and beyond it there is nothing but open Atlantic.
People once lived and fished here year after year, and the grassy mounds behind the lighthouse are the ruins of the huts and boat landings that went with it. An information board explains the old landing place, and nearby you can climb down stone steps into Fálki, an ancient well that once supplied the households on the point.
To get to Öndverðarnes, follow Route 579 (Öndverðarnesvegur) west from Hellissandur past Skarðsvík beach to the end of the road at the lighthouse, about 25 minutes in all. The last stretch is narrow gravel with potholes, but it is fine for a regular car in summer. If you would rather walk, a marked 4-kilometer coastal path runs from Móðuvör past Skarðsvík to the headland.
Plan 30 minutes to an hour here, or longer if you continue on foot toward the Svörtuloft cliffs to the south. There are no facilities and little shelter from the wind, so bring a warm layer even in July. Summer gives the easiest driving and the longest light, while in winter the gravel road can be icy, so check the road conditions map first.
Good to know
Where is Öndverðarnes?
Öndverðarnes is the western tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland, inside Snæfellsjökull National Park. It lies at the end of Route 579, west of Hellissandur.
How do you get to Öndverðarnes?
Drive Route 579 (Öndverðarnesvegur) west from Hellissandur past Skarðsvík to the lighthouse at the end of the road. The last section is gravel, and the drive takes about 25 minutes.
What is the Fálki well at Öndverðarnes?
Fálki is an ancient well near the lighthouse, reached by steps that lead down into the ground. It supplied water to the people who lived and fished at Öndverðarnes.
Is there a lighthouse at Öndverðarnes?
Yes, a small orange lighthouse with a red lantern stands on the point. It is still an active light for ships rounding the peninsula.
Can you hike to Öndverðarnes?
Yes. A marked coastal path of about 4 kilometers runs from Móðuvör past Skarðsvík beach to Öndverðarnes, and other paths lead south toward the Svörtuloft cliffs.
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