Hike Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge, Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Overview

Meaning "red-cloaked rift," Rauðfeldsgjá is a deep, high, and narrow gorge set on the western edge of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. A 3-hour drive from Reykjavik will get you to the area near Botnsfjall Mountain and the tiny hamlet of Arnarstapi. When you arrive, you can leave your car in the parking lot by the road. A short 5- to 10-minute walk will take you to the entrance of the gorge.

The scenery from outside the gorge is worth the drive, but you can also clamber inside and discover a small waterfall in the summertime. Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge is mentioned in the 14th-century saga, Bárðar Saga Snæfellsáss, and many enjoy the folklore behind the stories. According to the legend, the giant Bárðar became the guardian spirit of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. He used the gorge to punish those he believed killed his daughter, trapped on an iceberg that floated to Greenland.

Discover more unique experiences on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Itineraries with Hike Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge

2-Week Ring Road Self-Drive Itinerary: Highlights of Iceland & the Remote Westfjords

With two weeks in Iceland, you can complete the entire Ring Road and add incredible detours. This grand tour will take you to all the best places giving you plenty of time to hike, explore, and soak it all in. This 14-day itinerary covers all the major regions except the highlands, which you can see with a couple more days or by spending less time in some of the areas below.