Places · North coast
Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss
The arrowhead mountain on the north coast of Snæfellsnes, with a waterfall in front: the most photographed view on the peninsula. Where to stand, what it costs, and why you shouldn’t climb it.
The classic view
The picture everyone comes for is taken from the far side of Kirkjufellsfoss, with the falls in the foreground and the mountain behind. From the car park on road 54, follow the path to the waterfall and cross the old bridge above it: the view opens up from the bank on the other side. Stay on the paths: the banks of the falls are steep and slippery when wet.
Its name means “church mountain”, and from other angles it looks quite different: walk or drive a little way around it before you leave.
Parking
The car park at Kirkjufellsfoss is paid. It is run by the landowners’ company, Sannir Landvættir, and you can pay at the card terminal, on their website or with the EasyPark app; Iceland’s consumer agency notes that paying through EasyPark may add a transaction fee. Travel sites quote about ISK 1,000 per car, but we could not confirm the price with the operator, so check the sign. It is outside the national park, so the park’s service fee does not cover it.
Why you shouldn’t climb it
Kirkjufell looks like an easy hill and is not. Visit West Iceland describes the ascent as very demanding and dangerous, suitable only for experienced mountaineers with safety equipment and local guidance, and states that climbing is banned in winter. In November 2022, after several deaths, the landowners closed the mountain entirely until the end of the nesting season in June 2023. The landowners noted that most accidents happen in autumn and winter.
Game of Thrones
Kirkjufell appears twice in Game of Thrones: in season 6, episode 5, and in season 7, episode 6, where it appears as “Arrowhead Mountain” beyond the Wall. Grundarfjörður’s own tourism pages list it as a filming location.
Around Kirkjufell
Grundarfjörður (pop. 857 in the municipality, 2026) is 3 km east, with fuel and the bus stop for route 82. In summer you can paddle under the mountain on a guided sea-kayak trip from the town, and Láki Tours runs puffin trips from its harbour from June to mid-August. Whale watching on this coast leaves from Ólafsvík, 26 km west.
Questions people ask
Can you climb Kirkjufell?
Not in winter: ascent is banned then. At other times the climb is very demanding and dangerous, for experienced mountaineers with safety equipment and local guidance only. There have been many accidents and several deaths, and the landowners banned all ascents from November 2022 to June 2023.
How tall is Kirkjufell?
463 m.
Is parking at Kirkjufellsfoss free?
No. The car park by the waterfall is paid, run by the landowners’ company. You can pay at the card terminal, on the company’s website or in the EasyPark app (which may add its own fee). Travel sites quote about ISK 1,000 per car; we could not confirm the rate from the operator.
Was Kirkjufell in Game of Thrones?
Yes: in season 6, episode 5, and in season 7, episode 6, where it appears as “Arrowhead Mountain”.
How far is Kirkjufell from Reykjavik?
About 180 km by road, via Route 1 to Borgarnes and roads 54 and 56 over Vatnaleið: roughly two hours forty minutes without stops. Grundarfjörður is 3 km further on.
When is the best time to photograph it?
For northern lights, clear nights from late August to mid-April. In summer, the long evening light.