Snæfellsjökull

Snæfellsjökull is a glacier‑capped stratovolcano located at the western tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland. The mountain rises to about 1,446 metres, and its summit is covered by a perennial ice cap, one of the few remaining glaciers on the peninsula.

Geologically, the summit represents the central vent of a volcanic system with activity spanning the Pleistocene and Holocene. It sits within Iceland’s Western Volcanic Zone, linked to the broader tectonic processes at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In recent decades the glacier has retreated as part of wider climatic changes, but the volcanic structure remains a prominent feature of the Icelandic landscape.

Protective status and cultural significance are tied to Snæfellsjökull National Park, established in 2001 to preserve the glacier, volcanic features, lava fields such as Berserkjahraun, coastal cliffs, and related archaeological sites. The area has a strong place in Icelandic folklore and literature; internationally it is best known as the setting for Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, in which Snæfellsjökull is depicted as the gateway to the novel’s subterranean realm.

Today the park is a popular destination for visitors, offering hiking, guided glacier viewpoints, and access to nearby lava caves such as Vatnshellir. Access is by road around the Snæfellsnes peninsula, with safety considerations for glacial terrain and rapidly changing weather conditions.