Snæfell
1,833 m
Iceland
Also known as Snæfell (Eyjabakkajökull)Also known as
Snæfell (Eyjabakkajökull)
- Elevation
- 1,833 m
- Prominence
- 1,010 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Aug
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: Challenging (Vatnajökull National Park)
The national park's marked trail S1: 6.2 km and about 1,100 m of ascent from the Snæfellsskáli ranger hut up the west side of the mountain, on moorland, loose scree and finally the snow and ice of the small summit ice cap. No technical climbing, but cold, exposed to weather and with a glacier section near the top.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 10.6 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,059 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 1,833 m
- Time Up
- 4h 53m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 3h 44m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
The trail starts at the car park a little south of Snæfellsskáli, the national park ranger hut at the end of the F909, and climbs the west side of the mountain. The first few kilometres cross moorland and highland vegetation on a path marked with posts and cairns, then the route steepens on loose scree and gravel ridges. Posts mark the way as far as the edge of the summit ice cap. The last part crosses the snow and ice of the small summit ice cap to the top. Snow lies on the upper slopes well into summer, and the park recommends crampons and states that this section needs special equipment and skills. The park gives 6.2 km one way, about 1,100 m of ascent and 4–7 hours; other sources give 5–7 hours for the round trip in good conditions. Descend the same way. The main dangers are weather and navigation rather than technical difficulty: the summit is often in cloud, fog can cut visibility to a few metres, and it can freeze on any day of the year. The park requires a GPS when the summit is in cloud and asks hikers to tell the rangers at the hut their plans before setting off.
Start
Snæfellsskáli795 m
- None to the hut; a 4x4 is needed on the F909 (usually open from early July)
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Snæfellsskáli → Snæfell | 10.6 | 1,059 | 21 | 4h 53m |
Waypoints
- Hut: Snæfellsskáli795 m
National park ranger hut and campsite at the end of road F909
- Parking: Snæfell trailhead791 m
Start of marked trail S1, a little south of the hut
- Feature: Snæfell summit ice cap795 m
End of the marker posts; snow and ice to the summit
- Summit: Snæfell1,833 m
Key Passages
- Loose scree on the upper west flank
- Summit ice cap
Equipment
0/7 packedDownloads
Route confidence 70%Overview
A dormant, ice-capped stratovolcano in the eastern highlands and, at 1,833 m, Iceland's highest mountain outside the big ice caps. A marked national park trail climbs 1,100 m from the Snæfellsskáli ranger hut; the difficulty is the weather and remoteness more than the ground.
Snæfell ('snow mountain') stands alone on the Snæfellsöræfi plateau in the north-east of Vatnajökull National Park, north of Vatnajökull's Eyjabakkajökull outlet and just east of the Hálslón reservoir of the Kárahnjúkar hydropower scheme. It is a 27 km long volcanic massif, Iceland's highest stratovolcano that is not buried under a major ice cap, with a small summit ice cap whose outlet glaciers (Sveinsjökull, Axlarjökull and others) are shrinking; Sótajökull on the east side has largely gone.
The normal ascent is a long walk rather than a climb: the park's trail S1 leaves from Snæfellsskáli at the end of the F909 and climbs the west flank over moorland and loose scree, finishing on snow and ice. On a clear day the summit looks over Vatnajökull, the Eyjabakkar wetlands (an important breeding ground for pink-footed geese) and towards the East Fjords. The surrounding plateau is one of the best areas in Iceland to see wild reindeer.
The season is short. The F909 usually opens only at the start of July, and the mountain is often in cloud; settled days are worth waiting for. Rangers are based at the hut in summer, but otherwise this is remote country with little phone coverage.
Climbing Notes
Plan a full day (roughly 5–7 hours return) with about 1,100 m of ascent; fitness and navigation matter more than technique. Stay at Snæfellsskáli or its campsite the night before so you can start early and keep time to turn back if weather comes in. Tell the rangers your plans before setting off.
Carry crampons or microspikes for the summit ice cap and snow patches, and a GPS with the track loaded: the park requires one when the summit is in cloud. Expect sub-zero wind chill on top even in July. A 4x4 is essential for the F909 and its fords; check road status on umferdin.is and conditions on safetravel.is.
History
Snæfell has been studied as the northernmost central volcano of the off-rift Öræfi volcanic belt. Its rocks span roughly 1.35 million years; the youngest dated summit rhyolite is about 207,000 years old, and there have been no eruptions in the Holocene. Because its past repose intervals were of a similar length, geologists regard it as dormant rather than extinct. The area became part of Vatnajökull National Park when the park was established in 2008.
Season
Best Jul–Aug- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Not advisable
- June: Not advisable
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Possible
- October: Not advisable
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; F909 closed, access only by snowmobile or skis
- Feb
- Winter; F909 closed
- Mar
- Winter; ski expeditions only
- Apr
- Winter; ski expeditions only
- May
- Thaw; highland roads closed
- Jun
- Highland roads normally still closed
- Jul
- F909 usually opens at the start of July; rangers at the hut
- Aug
- Best month; still snow on the upper slopes
- Sep
- Hut staffed until about 20 September; early snow and closing roads
- Oct
- Highland roads close
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Book Snæfellsskáli (45 places, sleeping-bag accommodation, campsite) with Vatnajökull National Park by phone (+354 842 4367) or e-mail; bring your own sleeping bag.
- Fees
- Overnight and camping fees at Snæfellsskáli (see the national park price list)
- Rules
- Vatnajökull National Park: stay on marked trails and do not drive off-road (off-road driving is illegal in Iceland)
- F-roads are open to 4x4 vehicles only and only when officially opened, usually from early July
- Getting There
Egilsstaðir (about 80–90 km by road)
Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS), with domestic flights from Reykjavík
- Car: from Egilsstaðir via Fljótsdalur and the Skriðuklaustur visitor centre (Snæfellsstofa), then the F909 highland road to the car park at Snæfellsskáli; a 4x4 is required
- Check road status (umferdin.is) and conditions (safetravel.is) before driving
- No public transport to the hut
Hazards
- Weather
- Remoteness
- Glacier
Huts & Shelters
1- 795 m
SnæfellsskáliHutStaffedBooking required
45 beds · Rangers in summer, roughly early July to about 20 September while the F909 is open; can be used year-round, reached in winter by ski or snowmobile