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When someone mentions West Iceland, the first thing that comes to mind is that iconic photo of Kirkjufell mountain and its picture-perfect waterfalls, and you probably think of it too. And you are right, for good reason. But, while this famous landmark is undoubtedly a must-see, West Iceland has much more to offer, especially along the rugged and diverse Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often described as “Iceland in miniature” for its wide mix of beautiful landscapes.

The name Snæfellsnes comes from Icelandic words: Snæfell means “snowy mountain” and nes means “peninsula”, a perfect reflection of the region’s glacier-capped peaks (Snæfellsjökull Glacier and Volcano) and dramatic coastal terrain.

In this post, we are taking you on a scenic drive along Route 574, the loop road that circles the Snæfellsnes peninsula and passes through Snæfellsjökull National Park. From glaciers to lava fields, volcanic craters to black sand beaches, coastal cliffs to charming fishing towns, striking churches to dramatic rock formations, lonely lighthouses to natural sea arches, restless seabirds to lazy sunbathing seals …. This drive is one of the best ways to experience the wild, coastal beauty of West Iceland in just a few hours.

Our Drive on Route 574: First Half

The best way to experience it? Just drive the loop. Don’t rush, if you spot a great view, find a safe spot to stop and embrace the views.

It was after 1 pm when we left the iconic Kirkjufell (more info here), we drove west, heading first on Route 54 and then continuing onto Route 574 to Ólafsvík Viewpoint. It was only 20 mins, roughly 18 km drive, but we made a few scenic stops along the way and when we reached the viewpoint it was nearly 2 pm. Wow..what a sight!  The wide view of the ocean, a super cute fishing town, mountains peeking through clouds, and a blanket of lupines on the other side of the pull-off. And, of course, not to forget the rain, though it added a beautiful misty touch, it also hurried us to leave the spot.

From Ólafsvík, we continued west along Route 574. Hellissandur was just a few minutes away, but we didn’t stop due to the rain and grey skies. It looked like a lovely town, but we weren’t lucky with the weather. We were really disappointed to miss the chance to photograph the picturesque Hellissandur Church, with a path of lupine flowers leading up to it. We skipped Skarðsvík Beach too (just off Route 579) for the same reason.

After about 20 minutes (roughly 22km) from Ólafsvík, just after 2:30 PM, we climbed Saxhóll Crater (more info here) for amazing wide open views of the lava fields and a distant peak at Snæfellsjökull glacier.

Next, we headed to Djúpalónssandur, famously known as the Black Lava Pearl Beach, just a short 15 mins (13 km) drive from the crater. But unfortunately, when we turned onto the road (Route 572) leading to the beach was closed for construction, so we missed the stunning views of the arched bay with its dark cliffs, pebbled and black sand shoreline.

So, we got back on Route 574 and made our next stop at Malarrif Lighthouse, just 10 mins (approximately 9 km) from Djúpalónssandur. It was super windy and cold, so we skipped the short walk and snapped a few photos from the parking lot. Still, the views were incredible, ocean and lighthouse on one side, Snæfellsjökull glacier on the other. Bonus: there’s a big parking lot and restrooms at the visitor center!

Before heading to Hellnar, we made a quick stop at Lóndrangar, just a 5 mins drive (around 4 km) from Malarrif Lighthouse. It is an easy 5 mins walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint where two massive lava rock towers rise from the sea. The perfect stop for stretching and some photos, and there are basic restrooms if you need them. 

After that, we were back on route 574 again and drove a short 8 km to a tiny charming village, Hellnar. This spot has some great viewpoints…the picturesque village, rocky coastline, and impressive rock towers rising from the sea. And definitely don’t miss the little Hellnar Church, with the snow-capped Snæfellsjökull glacier right behind it.

Actually, you can take a beautiful 1 km coastal trail from Hellnar to reach the nearby town of Arnarstapi which is famous for its stone arch bridge, or the other way around. It was super windy and cold, so we just drove to Arnarstapi instead, which was only about five minutes down the road.

Just a short walk from the parking lot, you’ll find the striking Bárður Snæfellsás Statue, a local legend said to be the protector of the area. From there, the path opens up to great views… waves crashing through the arch, cliffs rising around us, and seagulls circling above (and yes, that classic seagull smell, you know what I mean!). 

Here is a glimpse of our scenic drive through West Iceland on Route 574. Take a look at these photos from June 18, 2025.

All in all, from Saxhóll Crater to Arnarstapi, we managed to visit all these spots, including driving, enjoying and snapping plenty of photos. The whole segment took us about two hours.

Check out the map of our Route 574 drive with all the key stops, great for planning your own.

That wraps up the first half of our Route 574 adventure! We loved this stretch of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, calm, wild, and full of moody Icelandic charm.

And guess what? We weren’t done yet. The road led us to more surprises, golden beaches, dramatic churches, waterfalls, and seals!

Stay tuned for Part 2, it only gets better. Don’t forget to check out the Quick Facts and Tips section in Part 2, it’s packed with useful info to help you make the most of your trip.