Era
16th–19th century
Active seasonal fishing station for over 300 years
Dritvík Beach: Historic Fishing Station & Lifting Stones
A sheltered cove on Snæfellsnes where hundreds of seasonal fishermen once worked, now home to the old lifting stones and stone ruins.
Location
Snæfellsnes
West Iceland • Snæfellsjökull National Park
Dritvík is a sheltered cove on the western coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula that served as one of Iceland's busiest seasonal fishing stations from the 16th through the 19th century. At its peak, up to 600 fishermen gathered here each season to row open boats into the North Atlantic in pursuit of cod. Today, the cove preserves the remnants of this era: stone walls from shelters, the ruins of boat-landing ramps, and the four áþreystingarsteinar (lifting stones) that were used to test whether men were strong enough to join a fishing crew. A coastal trail connects Dritvík to nearby Djúpalónssandur, and the whole site lies within Snæfellsjökull National Park.
Sources and last reviewed
Last reviewed: 2026-03-03
Wear sturdy footwear on the lava trail. Be careful near the shore; waves can be unpredictable.
Pages are reviewed for practical usefulness, source quality, and volatile claims before publication.
Workers
Up to 600
Fishermen gathering each season to row for cod
Stones
4 áþreystingarsteinar
From 23 kg to 154 kg; you can try them yourself
What to Expect
Historic Fishing Station
One of Iceland's most important seasonal fishing stations, active for over three centuries
Lifting Stones
Four strength-testing stones still sit where fishermen were tested for crew places
Lava Formations
Coastal lava rock shaped by centuries of wind and waves along the trail
Stone Shelter Remains
Low stone walls and foundations from the shelters where fishing crews lived and worked
Boat Landing Ruins
The remains of ramps where open rowing boats were hauled ashore from the North Atlantic
Djúpalónssandur Trail
A 15–20 minute coastal path connects Dritvík to the neighboring beach
Getting There
Dritvík is reached via the coastal trail from Djúpalónssandur, about 15-20 minutes on foot (1.5 km one way). From Reykjavík, drive Route 1 north to Borgarnes, then follow Route 54 west around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, turning south onto Route 572 to the Djúpalónssandur car park (approximately 190 km, about 2.5 hours total). The free parking area has restroom facilities and an information board. From the car park, walk down through the lava field to Djúpalónssandur beach (10-15 minutes), then follow the marked coastal trail west to Dritvík cove. There is no separate road access or parking for Dritvík itself. The nearest village is Hellnar, about 5 km south along Route 572, with a café and limited services. The trail is uneven lava terrain, so sturdy footwear with good grip is essential.
Best Time to Visit
Dritvík is accessible year-round, though the coastal trail is most comfortable from June through August when the path is dry, temperatures reach 10-14°C, and days stretch to 21 hours. May and September are quieter, with good coastal light. Fog and mist are common from October through April and often settle over the stone ruins and lifting stones. Winter visits are possible but the trail can be icy and daylight is limited to 4-5 hours in December. The area sees relatively few visitors compared to South Coast attractions, even during the July and August peak season. Combine with Djúpalónssandur for a half-day outing.
Planning help
Dritvík FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.