Saxholl (Saxhóll) is one of the most popular craters on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is located 9 km (5.5 miles) south of Hellissandur on the westernmost tip of the peninsula. It rises 109 meters (358 feet) above sea level.
The easiest volcanic crater to visit
Saxhóll is an excellent attraction for those who want to stand on top of a volcano but don’t want to hike too far or would have trouble climbing a crater on loose gravel or pumice.
The crater rises about 40 meters (130 feet) above the lava field around it. The parking lot is right at its foot, and a wide steel stairway with comfortable steps leads to the top, which makes the climb easy for walkers (source: Snæfellsjökull National Park).
From the top of the crater there are beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and the vast, dry lava fields of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, as well as the glacier-capped volcano Snaefellsjokull, which towers over the entire area. A compass rose at the top helps you put names to what you are looking at.
The crater and its surroundings are very fragile. To prevent further damage, do not go off the designated routes and walkways.
There are a lot of volcanoes accessible to tourists in Iceland. Near Snaefellsnes, it is still worth mentioning (and visiting) Grábrók located on Road 1, and Eldborg located near the southern end of Road 55. Grabrok is conveniently accessible by car, but climbing the beautiful Eldborg requires a 2-3 hour walk.
In other parts of Iceland, you should definitely look out for Kerid (in the Golden Circle, entrance fee), Hverfjall on Lake Myvatn, and, well, the famous, though only accessible in summer and by 4×4 car, crater Askja in the interior, south of Myvatn.
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How to get to Saxholl crater
Saxhóll lies just off Road 574, at the western end of Snaefellsnes, about 25 km (15 miles) from Arnarstapi and 45 km (28 miles) from Grundarfjordur.