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Kirkjufell has claimed the title of Iceland’s most photographed mountain, and for good reason. This impressive landmark close to the capital city is not just an impressive sight that makes for a good snapshot or two, but it is also one of our “Hollywood stars” here on the island, and a great spot for some outdoor adventures.
So, whether you already have an upcoming trip to Iceland and are looking for items to add to your trip itinerary. Or, if you’re just curious to learn more about Iceland and this famous landmark, read on.
Unveiling the Magic of Kirkjufell
Kirkjufell stands at about 463 meters, but it’s the mountain’s aesthetics, not its height, that makes it such an impressive sight. The mountain is shaped like a dome, which helps explain the name a bit better – Kirkjufell Mountain translates to Church Mountain.
But we don’t always get questions about Mt. Kirkjufell or Church Mountain in Iceland. Sometimes, we get asked about Arrowhead Mountain. That’s because this natural wonder of ours has been featured on the popular series Game of Thrones, where Arrowhead Mountain was the “role” it reprised.
Kirkjufell also has its own waterfall tumbling down the cliffs in three different streams on the mountain’s south side. This waterfall is called Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall and, just like Kirkjufell, is one of the most photographed natural wonders here in Iceland.
Some of the interesting folklore surrounding the mountain tells of an epic battle between two trolls, who, distracted, did not realize that the sun was coming up and, in true troll fashion, ended up in stone statues.
Where is Kirkjufell in Iceland?
It shouldn’t be surprising that such a majestic landmark is found in one of Iceland’s regions renowned for its beauty. Mount Kirkjufell is in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and lies roughly two hours from the capital city of Reykjavik, making it a great day outing option. It’s also quite close to the Ring Road, so there are visitors who prefer making Kirkjufell a stop along their Ring Road road trip.
Getting There and Getting Around: Transportation Options When Visiting Kirkjufell Mountain in Iceland
There are numerous ways of getting to Kirkjufell:
By Booking a Spot on a Tour
You will find plenty of local tours that offer Kirkjufell as a destination. Whether a dedicated day tour, part of a combo tour, a multi-day holiday package, or a customized private tour, there are plenty of options to choose from.
By Catching a Bus
You can catch the bus (or rather buses) to Kirkjufell. Although this is probably one of the most affordable ways of visiting Kirkjufell, it’s definitely not the most convenient. You will need to take three connecting buses from Reykjavik to Borgarnes. From there, you’ll need to catch another bus that goes to Stykkisholmur and, finally, another from Stykkisholmur to Grundarfjördur, where you’ll need to grab a taxi to get you to the Mountain itself.
By Driving Yourself
This is definitely the easiest and most convenient option, especially since you are the only person in charge of your time and itinerary. So, there is no need to rush, and you can stop wherever you like along the way when you spot something interesting. To drive to Kirkjufell from the capital city, you simply get onto the Ring Road and start driving north.
Drive through the undersea tunnel to Borgarnes where you will find a roundabout at the end of the town. Here, you take Road 54. Continue on till you reach Grundarfjördur. By this time, you would have already seen Kirkjufell at a distance anyway, so it’s pretty easy to drive directly to it from here. Just follow the mountain and the signs.
A Geological Wonder: Understanding Kirkjufell’s Formation
Kirkjufell is not your average mountain - not even in the way it was formed. You see, technically, Kirkjufell is not a mountain but rather all that is left of the pre-Ice Age landscape. You may not have noticed, but if you take a closer look at Kirkjufell, you’ll see that it has lines that wrap around it, almost resembling something like a trifle pudding.
These lines are actually layers of sediment from various volcanic eruptions that have settled and compressed on top of each other over millions of years. If you take a soil sample from the bottom layer of the mountain, you’ll see that it dates back to almost 10 million years ago.
The thing that “revealed” the mountain to us were all the constant glacial floods due to the volcanic activity here on the island constantly eroding away at the landscape, and, as if licking an ice cream cone, ended up with its infamous dome shape.
Capturing the Essence of Kirkjufell: Photography Tips and Inspiration
If you’re looking to take that perfect snapshot of our Church Mountain, the following tips might be helpful:
- Photographers believe that visiting Kirkjufell on late summer nights provides the best lighting.
- Don’t forget to move around and take photos of the mountain from various angles. You’ll be surprised at how many different photographs you can end up with doing so. For example, certain angles will give you the chance to take a snapshot of both the mountain as well as the waterfall.
- There’s another photo opp you need to keep an eye out for. If you get the timing just right you’ll get a breathtaking shot of the mountain along with its reflection in the lake.
- Don’t just stick to photos of the mountain itself. You’ll find even more photo opps by hiking up the mountain. From the top, you can take breathtaking photos of the panoramic views.
Exploring Kirkjufell and its Surroundings
There are plenty of things to do at Kirkjufell and its surroundings. Some of these include:
- Hiking the trail that wraps around the mountain.
- Scaling the summit (only available for pro mountain climbers who will have an experienced local guide with them).
- Admiring Budakirkja.
- Visiting the Ytri Tunga Seal Colony.
- Checking out Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum.
- Visiting Bjarnarfoss Waterfall.
Where to Stay: Finding the Perfect Accommodation
You will have your pick of accommodation options around Kirkjufell. For a typical hotel stay, you can opt for the Kirkjufell Hotel. For a comfortable stay with a less hefty price tag, you can go to Kirkjufell Guesthouse. Or for something a bit more alternative, you can opt for a stay at the Berg Horse Farm.
Kirkjufell: the (Literal) Peak of Any Iceland Adventure
Whether you admire it from afar through the window of your Iceland accommodation, drive past it, or actually climb it, most visitors to the island will have some sort of interaction with our formidable Church Mountain. So, use this article as a guide, and rent a car in Reykjavik, so you can hit the road to come take a snapshot and have your paparazzi moment with the Hollywood star of the island.
