Kirkjufell mountain, a magnificent picture from Iceland

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  3. Kirkjufell mountain, a magnificent picture from Iceland
Written by SandrinePublished on 09/17/16
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This name may not mean anything to you, but it is one of the most famous pictures of Iceland. A national emblem often photographed at sunset. Why? Mount Kirkjufell, located north of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, is ideally exposed during the summer months when the sun sets in the north.

The famous view of Mount Kirkjufell with the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground.

What makes this photo famous is also the astonishing shape of this small 463-metre-high mount that seems to emerge from the ocean, as well as the small Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall, which has settled a few hundred metres to the south. Thus, by finding the right angle, it is possible to capture Mount Kirkjufell with the small waterfall in the foreground. A wide-angle lens will be needed to capture the entire scene.

This is the main attraction of this site, because from another point of view, the view is much less idyllic. Mount Kirkjufell is located a few meters from the road, at the edge of the ocean. The waterfall is located on the other side of the road, a few hundred metres to the south. It is therefore not in the immediate vicinity. A path starts from the small parking lot on the side of Highway 54. It takes a few meters to reach the top of the waterfall. We then pass over the river on a small bridge to the other side of the river and enjoy the view.

Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls

The site being famous, you probably won't be the only ones there. The challenge will then be to find the right position to capture the moment, but also to wait for the walkers to get out of the frame, before pressing the shutter release button. As you will have guessed, the path passes right in the middle of the stage. Don't be in a hurry!

If you pass close by in the summer, come to the sunset to enjoy a superb light.

Finally, know that Mount Kirkjufell is not a cone, contrary to what the shape we can guess from all the photos would suggest. It is actually a kind of ridge, because it is flattened on the sides. The famous view is taken from the front, but if you look at it from another angle, for example from the side, the shape is not the same at all. When you are approaching, you will know how to recognize it :)

Mount Kirkjufell from the west of Grundarfjördur Fjord.

Summary

    This name may not mean anything to you, but it is one of the most famous pictures of Iceland. A national emblem often photographed at sunset. Why? Mount Kirkjufell, located north of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, is ideally exposed during the summer months when the sun sets in the north.

    The famous view of Mount Kirkjufell with the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground.

    What makes this photo famous is also the astonishing shape of this small 463-metre-high mount that seems to emerge from the ocean, as well as the small Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall, which has settled a few hundred metres to the south. Thus, by finding the right angle, it is possible to capture Mount Kirkjufell with the small waterfall in the foreground. A wide-angle lens will be needed to capture the entire scene.

    This is the main attraction of this site, because from another point of view, the view is much less idyllic. Mount Kirkjufell is located a few meters from the road, at the edge of the ocean. The waterfall is located on the other side of the road, a few hundred metres to the south. It is therefore not in the immediate vicinity. A path starts from the small parking lot on the side of Highway 54. It takes a few meters to reach the top of the waterfall. We then pass over the river on a small bridge to the other side of the river and enjoy the view.

    Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls

    The site being famous, you probably won't be the only ones there. The challenge will then be to find the right position to capture the moment, but also to wait for the walkers to get out of the frame, before pressing the shutter release button. As you will have guessed, the path passes right in the middle of the stage. Don't be in a hurry!

    If you pass close by in the summer, come to the sunset to enjoy a superb light.

    Finally, know that Mount Kirkjufell is not a cone, contrary to what the shape we can guess from all the photos would suggest. It is actually a kind of ridge, because it is flattened on the sides. The famous view is taken from the front, but if you look at it from another angle, for example from the side, the shape is not the same at all. When you are approaching, you will know how to recognize it :)

    Mount Kirkjufell from the west of Grundarfjördur Fjord.
    Our opinion
    We like

    To immortalize the famous clichu00e9.

    Magnificent surroundings on the fjord and snowy peaks.

    We don't like

    The site which has not much interest except the famous view.

    Difficulty to capture the photo without having a tourist on the picture.

    About us

    We are Sandrine and Flo, French thirty-somethings. In 2019 we quit everything to live our dream, become nomads and travel around the world. We left with our baby, Lena, who was only 5 months old at the time. After a first trip around the Pacific Ocean by plane and a long 3 months stay in Hawaii, we left to discover Iceland for 3 months on board our 4WD pickup truck and truck camper. Then we continued our adventure in North America.

    Today, if we can continue this adventure, it is above all thanks to our blog, Smartrippers! We created it one day in 2016, with the desire to share our good travel tips, without thinking that it would lead us there! We have developed it a lot over the years and have become experts on our 3 favorite destinations: Hawaii, Iceland and the American West. We now guide you to these destinations to help you plan the trip of your dreams!

    Follow our adventures!