Kirkjufell

You will have seen this mountain before you ever get here. On a postcard, a phone case, a screensaver in an office somewhere very far from Iceland. Then you round the bend into Grundarfjörður and there it is, a steep green cone with a crooked tip, sitting on its own by the fjord like it was put there for the photo. It still works on us, and we've driven past it more times than we can count.

Kirkjufell means "church mountain", and it rises 463 metres straight out of the north coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland. It isn't big. It doesn't need to be. Game of Thrones fans will know it as the arrowhead-shaped mountain the heroes march towards beyond the Wall, and on a still day, with the little Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground, it is quite possibly the most photographed mountain in the country.

Tours that visit Kirkjufell

Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Kirkjufell Small Group Tour

11 hours · From Reykjavík

4.6(76)

From 18.990 ISK

Snæfellsnes & Kirkjufell

10 hours · From Reykjavík

4.8(186)

From 250.000 ISK

top pick

Snæfellsnes Peninsula Tour

11 hours · From Reykjavík

4.9(1,592)

From 17.490 ISK

Snæfellsnes Peninsula Small Group Tour

11 hours · From Reykjavík

4.9(355)

From 19.490 ISK

popular

Snaefellsnes Peninsula Adventure: Small Group from Reykjavik

11 hours · From Reykjavík

4.9(874)

From 18.900 ISK

Snæfellsnes Peninsula Tour from Grundarfjordur Port

5 hours · From Grundarfjörður

4.4(173)

From 26.240 ISK

What to see at Kirkjufell

The classic view is not from the mountain itself but from across the road, at Kirkjufellsfoss. From the car park it's a short, easy walk to the falls, and every photographer you've ever followed on Instagram has stood on the same bit of grass. Walk a little further round the far side of the waterfall for the angle with the water leading up to the peak. In winter the path and the rocks by the falls turn to ice, so wear boots with some grip, or bring spikes. The car park by the falls is paid parking, handled by number-plate cameras, so look for the payment machine or instructions before you drive off.

Grundarfjörður, the fishing town right next to it, has a harbour, a couple of places to eat and fuel. Cruise ships call here in summer, which is why some tours on this page start at the port.

Can you hike Kirkjufell?

Short answer: not on your own, and not in winter. The route up is steep, loose and exposed, with rock bands where you need your hands and a proper head for heights, and it gets treacherous in wet weather. There have been several fatal falls on Kirkjufell, including three deaths in four years up to 2022, after which the landowners banned hiking on the mountain over the winter. In summer it is still only for experienced hikers, ideally with a local guide who knows the route. Check the signs at the start of the trail, respect any closures, and if in doubt, take the photo from the waterfall. It's the better view anyway.

Pro tip: the tour buses tend to arrive in the middle of the day, so if you're driving yourself, come early in the morning or in the evening and you'll have far more room at the waterfall. In winter, bring microspikes. The grassy slope by the falls turns into an ice rink, and every year someone finds out the hard way.

How to get to Kirkjufell from Reykjavík

Kirkjufell is roughly two and a half hours' drive from Reykjavík, on the north side of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Most people see it as part of a full day looping the peninsula, with Snæfellsjökull glacier, Djúpalónssandur beach and Arnarstapi on the south side. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes here if you just want the waterfall and your photo, longer if you want to hang around for the light.

Best time to see Kirkjufell

Summer brings long golden evenings and the midnight sun hanging low over the fjord. From about September to April you have a chance of northern lights over the peak, which is the shot every aurora photographer wants, but you need dark, clear skies and a bit of luck. Winter days are short, so keep an eye on road.is and the wind forecast, as the roads on Snæfellsnes can be icy and gusty.

If you'd rather someone else did the driving, Kirkjufell is a standard stop on Snæfellsnes day tours from Reykjavík, including small-group trips, a home-cooked lunch option and tours in Spanish. Tours that include Kirkjufell are below.