west-iceland · Iceland
Snaefellsjokull National Park
Snæfellsjökull National Park, established in 2001, is Iceland's only national park that stretches from the coastline to mountain peaks. The park is dominated by the 1,446-meter Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped stratovolcano, which has been dormant since an eruption around 1,800 years ago. The glacier gained international fame as the entrance to the center of the Earth in Jules Verne's 1864 novel.
About Snaefellsjokull National Park
Snæfellsjökull National Park, established in 2001, is Iceland's only national park that stretches from the coastline to mountain peaks. The park is dominated by the 1,446-meter Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped stratovolcano, which has been dormant since an eruption around 1,800 years ago. The glacier gained international fame as the entrance to the center of the Earth in Jules Verne's 1864 novel.
History & Background
Snæfellsjökull National Park was established in 2001 as Iceland's fourth national park and the first to include coastal and marine areas. The volcano has been considered sacred and mystical for centuries, with many believing it possesses special spiritual energy. Eiríkur of Leirá, an 18th-century explorer, claimed to have reached the summit in 1753. The area has a rich history of fishing and farming settlements, with Arnarstapi and Hellnar serving as important trading posts for centuries.
Key Facts
- ✔Iceland's first national park to include coastal areas
- ✔Featured in Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth
- ✔Glacier has shrunk significantly due to climate change
- ✔Home to diverse bird species including puffins
- ✔Volcano last erupted around 250 AD
