This morning was spent cruising the northern coast of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula on our way to the beautiful village of Grundarfjordur. It’s situated in a spectacular mountain range that includes Mount Kirkjufell, a steep and treacherous-looking peak 1519’ high. We spent the afternoon here, enjoying a hike in a lava field and to a beautiful waterfall, as well as being treated to a musical performance in a local church by one of Iceland’s most popular singers, Hafdis Huld.
8/14/2024
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National Geographic Explorer
Grundarfjörður, Iceland
After a comfortable morning with a fascinating presentation by National Geographic Photo Expert Paolo Verzone, we arrived at Grundarfjörður. This small town is perhaps best known for the iconic mountain sitting on its doorstep. Kirkjufell, or Church Mountain, was famously featured on Game of Thrones as Arrowhead Mountain. After lunch, we disembarked National Geographic Explorer to visit either the Berserkjahraun lava field or Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall. Berserkjahraun is an old lava field that is still covered by the mosses that settled it 4000 years ago. On our hike, we were treated to some delicious and healthy blueberries and crowberries. The second group was treated to the lovely sight of Kirkjufellsfoss, or the waterfall of Kirkjufell. As the name implies, it is situated very close to the roots of Kirkjufell Mountain, which certainly made for an impressive backdrop to the waterfall. In the afternoon, both groups were reunited in the beautiful church, Grundarfjarðarkirkja, where we were treated to an amazing concert by one of Iceland’s best-known musicians, Hafdís Huld. After the concert we all returned to the ship where we were expected by Captain Peik Aalto, who gave us a warm farewell before our last dinner aboard National Geographic Explorer for this expedition.
