Snaefellsjokull National Park
Snaefellsjökull National Park was originally established in 2001, and became the fourth national park in Iceland. It runs along the edge of the Haahraun lava field on the east to the Gjafavik cove on the south, and from the glacier's edge on the west to the Gufuskalar estate on the north.
Within the park are many interesting geological phenomena and historic sites.
According to some of the early records, the area was the site on which between 300 and 400 fishermen established their base during the 16th century, fishing from open boats. Ruins of their abodes and a lava maze on the hill south of the cove are protected.
A semi-mythological creature named Bardur Snaefellsas reputedly makes his home in the glacier, where he has been represented by a rough stone sculpture.
The area was the setting for Jules Verne's novel Journey to the Center of the Earth and later Icelander Halldor Laxness' novel, Christianity Under the Glacier.
Tours are available to tourists and school children.
Stadur
Stadur, near Hellisandur, is a popular area for rafting, and can provide tourists with accommodations at Stadarskali, 451-1150, www.if.is/stadur, which has 20 rooms, all on one floor.
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