Hellnar used to be one of the busiest fishing stations on the peninsula. Today it is a handful of houses, a church, and a short path to the shore, which makes it a calm stop after the cliffs of Arnarstapi.
What to see
- The shore and sea cave. A path leads down to the water, where waves have cut into the basalt. Stay well back from wet rock and the surf.
- The church. A small village church sits above the shore. It is a pleasant photo stop with the glacier behind it on clear days.
- A cafe by the sea. There is a well-known cafe on the shoreline serving hot drinks and fish dishes. Hours change with the season, so check before you plan a meal around it.
- Birds. Seabirds nest on the cliffs in summer. See our notes on puffins and birdlife near Arnarstapi.
Getting between Arnarstapi and Hellnar
Walk the whole coastal path (route and tips), drive the short road, or walk one way and arrange a lift. If you drive, park in the signposted area and do not block the narrow access. For road conditions see driving on Snæfellsnes.
Do it as part of a loop. Hellnar fits naturally between Gatklettur in the morning and Djúpalónssandur in the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Hellnar?
On the south coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland, about 3 km by road from Arnarstapi, at the foot of Snæfellsjökull.
How far is Hellnar from Arnarstapi?
About 2.5 km on the coastal path, around an hour on foot with stops, or a few minutes by car.
What is there to do in Hellnar?
Walk down to the shore, look into the sea cave, visit the small church and stop for a hot drink or a meal at the cafe. Most people combine it with the Arnarstapi walk.
Can you stay in Hellnar?
There are a few guesthouses in and around the village, but beds are limited in summer. Arnarstapi and Ólafsvík are the other options close by.
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