Discover Hellissandur: Murals, Trails and Maritime Traces

Hellissandur brings together several different points of interest for a trip: murals, maritime heritage and trails. Nearby, you will also find an important bird area between Hellissandur and Rif, as well as Snæfellsjökull National Park. If you are considering the town for your trip, you can choose between its cultural attractions, routes on foot or by bike, and the natural features of the surrounding area. The places below give these themes specific names.

Murals and maritime traces

Hellissandur is an open-air gallery featuring murals by Icelandic and international artists. Many of the murals cover the walls of the old fish factory. Their subjects are often inspired by marine life, Icelandic sagas, volcanic landscapes and mystical creatures. The range therefore extends from depictions of nature to worlds of stories and fantasy. If art is one of your reasons for choosing a destination, Hellissandur offers a distinct aspect that differs from the maritime objects and built heritage of the museum.

The Maritime Museum in Hellissandur

The Maritime Museum in Hellissandur houses Bliki, described as Iceland’s oldest rowing boat. The boat was built in 1826. The museum also includes a reconstruction of Þorvaldsbúð, the last dry-stone farmhouse to be inhabited in Hellissandur. The two items of heritage are quite distinct: Bliki is a named boat with a specific construction date and a notable claim to age; Þorvaldsbúð focuses on former life in Hellissandur and the reconstruction of a dry-stone farmhouse.

Another maritime landmark is Keflavíkurvör. The site is protected, and deep grooves made by the keels of boats can be seen there. These traces offer a different connection to maritime history from the boat and reconstructed house in the museum.

Visitor Centre and National Park

The Snæfellsjökull National Park Visitor Centre is in Hellissandur, next to the campsite; the national park itself is close to the town. These are two different location references: the centre is in town, while the park is in the surrounding area.

Hiking and cycling trails

Frístundarstígur connects Ólafsvík, Rif and Hellissandur as a combined hiking and cycling trail. In sections, the route follows the coast and offers views of Svöðufoss and Snæfellsjökull. It is therefore a specific way to connect the three places on one route; the coastal sections and the views mentioned provide their own distinctive scenery.

There are also good hiking trails in and around Hellissandur. A varied and enjoyable hiking trail runs through the Tröð skógrækt forest. If you are weighing up different types of trails, the route connecting several places on Frístundarstígur differs from the hiking trail through this forest. You can therefore find both a named hiking and cycling trail between three places and trails in and around Hellissandur.

Birdlife nearby

The area between Hellissandur and Rif is nearby and is an important bird sanctuary. It is home to one of Iceland’s largest colonies of Arctic terns. Alongside the murals in town and the themes of the hiking trails, birdlife is therefore another distinct way to experience the natural surroundings. When choosing Hellissandur for your trip, you can consider these different themes individually: cultural heritage in town, routes between places, and nature in the surrounding area.

Discover more destinations: Miklholt, Hellnar, Reynivellir, Arnarstapi, Ólafsvík, Leirá, Stykkishólmur, Hvammur

For the broader travel overview: Vesturland.