Songhellir (Sönghellir) is a small lava cave in the Snaefellsjokull massif, on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. It is surrounded by other, smaller caves and by a rather prominent stone arch. It is far smaller than the nearby Vatnshellir cave, but it is a popular stop all the same, especially with travelers crossing below the Snaefellsjokull glacier on the F570 road.
The cave is also known as Song Cave and, according to some visitors, is notable for its magical acoustics and a remarkable echo. Another feature is the centuries-old graffiti on its walls, including the names of two 18th-century travelers (unfortunately, 20th- and 21st-century travelers also leave various traces here…).
According to legend, the interior of the cave sheltered the family of Bárður Snæfellsás, the legendary 9th-century settler. The mythical half-man, half-giant is now considered the guardian of the region’s spirits, and a statue of him stands in nearby Arnarstapi.
There is also a beautiful view of the coastline around Arnarstapi from just outside the cave.
How to get to Sönghellir Cave
Map: driving route from Arnarstapi to the Songhellir cave — click to open the interactive map
Sönghellir lies near Arnarstapi, just off the F570, the mountain road that cuts across the peninsula to Olafsvik on the northern shore, running right below the Snaefellsjokull glacier. This is an F road: go there only with a four-wheel-drive car (rental companies do not allow anything else on F roads) and only when umferdin.is shows it as open – like every F road it is a summer route, and the opening date changes from year to year. There is a small but convenient and well-marked parking lot right by the cave.
