Snæfellsjökull

Snæfellsjökull (say it: SNYE-fells-yoh-kull) is the glacier volcano that crowns the tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, roughly 180km from Reykjavík. Jules Verne used it as the entrance to the Earth's core in his 1864 novel — and standing at its base, you'll understand why he chose this particular mountain. It has a presence that's difficult to explain and easy to feel.

The glacier sits inside Snæfellsjökull National Park, Iceland's only national park that reaches the ocean. You can hike or snowcat up to the glacier summit for views stretching across the peninsula and, on clear days, all the way to Reykjavík. Guided glacier hikes run here from late autumn through spring — crampons, ice axes, and all the gear you'll need are typically included.

The park rewards slower exploration too. The lava fields around the base are dramatic and strange, the coastal paths pass sea caves and basalt columns, and the small fishing villages nearby — Arnarstapi and Hellnar — are ideal for a bowl of soup and a walk along the cliffs. Come in winter for a real shot at the northern lights with the glacier as a backdrop.