Grótta and Seltjarnarnes: a mainland coastal loop

5.6 km loop · allow 75–100 minutes · easy walking on mostly paved or firm shared paths

This walk starts and finishes at the Grótta car park. It gives you the lighthouse view, Kvika footbath, Valhúsahæð and both sides of the Seltjarnarnes coast without making the tidal causeway part of the route.

WHY THIS VERSION WORKS

The mainland loop still works when the tide is wrong for the lighthouse, the islet is closed for nesting birds, or you simply do not want to time a walk around the sea. Stop at the shore, look across to Grótta, then continue east past Kvika and around the peninsula.

CHOOSE THE SENSIBLE VERSION

• Tide or access uncertain: stay on this mainland loop; do not cross to the islet.
• Strong wind or heavy rain: shorten it to Grótta–Kvika and return.
• Clear, settled weather: walk the full loop and allow time at the viewpoints.
• Nesting closure or protection signs: keep completely to the mainland and follow the signs.

ROUTE ORDER

1. Start at the Grótta car park and take the short mainland spur west for the lighthouse view.
2. Return east along the north coast to Kvika. The footbath is small, so treat it as a pleasant stop rather than the whole reason for the walk.
3. Continue through the local paths toward Valhúsahæð.
4. Turn south and west around the lower side of Seltjarnarnes.
5. Follow the west coast north to the car park.

BEFORE WALKING

This GPX deliberately does not cross to the Grótta islet. Check the weather and on-site safety signs, especially in wind, darkness or icy conditions. Respect protected areas and birdlife. The islet is normally closed during the nesting period from 1 May through 31 July; local notices take priority.

The mapped route is a planning aid, not a guarantee that every path is open or suitable on the day. Route geometry was planned on public walking paths using current OpenStreetMap pedestrian routing. Official access context was checked against Visit Reykjavík and Seltjarnarnes municipality guidance on 2 August 2026.

For current tide, protection, weather and practical access checks, use the Things to Do in Iceland Grótta planning guide: https://thingstodoiniceland.is/attractions/grotta