Posted by Book2Go Travel on Nov 29
Many people prefer to vacation on beaches and in places with warmer climates during the winter months, however, since you have already adapted to the colder temperatures that come along with winter, it is a wonderful time to visit
Snaefellsjokull, Iceland.
The volcanic cratered
peak of
Snaefellsjokull is highly popular as the gateway down in Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne. For ten months out of the year, alpine skiers beat a steady path to the inactive volcano for over nine miles of wonderful skiing. The uninterrupted glacial terrain ends in a beautiful display of greenery, very unique lava formations, and the quaint little fishing hamlet of Arnarstapi. There is a ski lift that hoists you up most of the way, and from that point, you can reach the peak via snowmobile or climbing. From the very top you can take in the beautiful scenery which includes snowy peaks and a wonderful view of the foamy ocean below.
This phenomenal destination is located in
West Iceland, where lakes and rivers are optimal for fishing, and waterfalls surrounded by majestic glaciers make for a wonderfully picturesque visit. Other sights around Snaefellsjokull include Hraunfossar, which is a belt of cascades that straddle rocks and birch, and lie along the edge of a lava field. Glymur is
Iceland’s highest waterfall and reaches up to 198 meters. Viogelmir is one of the largest lava caves in the world. There are guided tours available also to view other majestic ice formations and stalactites. There are many points of interest located in West Iceland, such as Reykholt, which is an exhibition center that is dedicated to
Iceland’s own Snorri Sturluson, a great saga writer, and Eiriksstaoir, a Viking Age farmstead replica, which was the home of Eirik the Red, as well as the birthplace of Leif the Lucky. On the
peninsula of
Snaefellsnes, there are wonderful sights, aside from the Snaefellsjokull peak, which include the national park, wonderful bird life, and small, quaint villages such as Olafsvik and Flatey island. Hotels are more bountiful here than one might think, and are categorized from five stars and below. The Country Hotel Hellnar, for instance, is located just 10 km from the Snaefellsnes peninsula and lies just below the magnificent glacier. The hotel was built in 2000 and offers its visitors the most updated amenities. Other hotels are also located just minutes from the glacier’s peak. During January and February the skiing is closed, but all other times of the year, the
peak of
Snaefellsjokull is a wonderful choice for your skiing adventure.
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