📷 Photo by Toby Elliott on UnsplashKirkjufell
Grundarfjörður, Iceland
A steep cone-shaped mountain by the sea, usually photographed from the small Kirkjufellsfoss falls across the road. Park at the signed car park, not on the verge.
Kirkjufell ("Church Mountain") rises 463 m on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, near Grundarfjörður. Geologically it is a nunatak, a peak that stood above the glaciers during the Ice Age; it consists of alternating layers of lava and sandstone with tuff at the summit, but it is not a volcano. In the series "Game of Thrones" it appeared in seasons 6 and 7 as the "arrowhead mountain".
The classic photo is taken at the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall, which lies at the foot of the mountain, off road 54. It is about 180 km from Reykjavik, roughly a 2.5-hour drive. In the main season, a small fee is charged at some car parks. In summer, sunsets over Breiðafjörður are worth the visit; in winter, the northern lights. The regional tourist office advises against climbing: the slopes are steep and slippery, there have been several fatal falls (most recently in 2022), and according to Guide to Iceland the ascent is prohibited from 1 November to 15 June (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Grundarfjörður, Iceland
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 64.9417, -23.3066
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
Cold, short days in October–April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Iceland: No motorway tolls for cars. Many roads are gravel; F-roads need a 4×4. Motorway limit for cars: 90 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Motorhome stopover · ArnarstapiMotorhome stopover3 km from KirkjufellMotorhomes
- GrundarfjörðurCampsite3 km from KirkjufellTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- Tjaldstæðið í ÓlafsvíkCampsite19 km from Kirkjufell
- Tjaldsvæðið á ArnastapaCampsite25 km from KirkjufellTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
All campsites in Iceland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Kirkjufell?
Kirkjufell is in Grundarfjörður, Iceland, at GPS 64.9417, -23.3066. It is about 24 km from Arnarstapi.
Can you camp near Kirkjufell?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Grundarfjörður, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 4 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Kirkjufell?
Kirkjufell is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Snæfellsnes: Iceland in miniature.
What is there to see near Kirkjufell?
Places worth a stop nearby: Búðir Church (14 km), Djúpalónssandur (35 km), Gerðuberg (45 km) and Látrabjarg (84 km).
When is the best time to visit Kirkjufell?
Cold, short days in October–April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)