The Westfjords in Iceland is a peninsula in the northwestern area of the country. The coastline is made up of a large number of fjords, all of them very close to each other. Take a ride with us along the Westfjords, an unknown place for most of the visitors in Iceland.
The Westfjords in Iceland is a peninsula in the northwestern area of the country. The coastline is made up of a large number of fjords, all of them very close to each other. These make the roads very difficult to drive, especially in the winter. But this doesn’t take away the beautiful views you can get while being in the endless fjords.
A lot of people visiting Iceland focus on visiting the Snæfellsnes Peninsula or the South Coast, and they forget about this great place. Here we want to share with you a short guide to the places you should visit in the Westfjords. We will start our trip in the western part of the Westfjords driving along the coast, and it might take around 3 to 4 hours to get to our first destination. So put on some good music and let’s begin our ride!
Beaches in Iceland are usually black sanded due to the volcanic activity in the country, but in the Westfjords there have not been any active volcanoes for years. This is why you can find golden beaches like Rauðasandur in the region. Rauðasandur takes its light golden and reddish colors from the seashells after they get crushed in the ground for a long time, and depending on the weather, it can get one color or another one. On your visit, you will definitely catch some seals. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the pleasant weather.
With a 14km line of cliffs and 440 meters high, Látrabjarg is the most massive cliff in Iceland. This majestic place in the country is home to a high number of birds, and it is Europe’s largest bird cliff, thanks to that there are no natural hunters in the area as the foxes. Hiking on the edge of the cliff is excellent while you do some bird-watching.
Dynjandi is not just another waterfall. It is the largest one in the Westfjords, and it is considered the natural wonder of the region. Dynjandi translates to “thunderous,” and this is because of the loud noise this sheered volume waterfall makes. What differentiates this waterfall from the others in Iceland, is that this one consists of a group of 7 other waterfalls. From top to bottom they are Dynjandi, Hæstahjallafoss, Strompgljúfrafoss, Göngumannfoss, Hríðsvaðsfoss, Hundafoss and Bæjarfoss. Dynjandi is 100 meters high, and with 30m diameter widens to the end to 60cm.
With a population of about 2.800 people, Ísafjörður is the biggest city in the Westfjords. As a fishing town now with a nature reserve, in the old days it served as an old trading post for foreign merchants. Most of the buildings in Ísafjörður are from the 18th century, and its game of colors around the city make it very appealing to visitors. Don’t forget to go to the charming cafés and incredible restaurants before continuing your trip around the Westfjords.
Located in the most northern part of the Westfjords, Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is a place of 580km squared full of tundra, cliffs, and animals. You will find different species of plants and animals like the Arctic Fox and birdlife (puffins, of course). This isolated location is perfect for seeking some peace, and maybe spending the night in a tent. Hiking to Hornbjarg is one of the most fun things to do, and you will enjoy beautiful views. Cars or any motorized vehicle are prohibited in this part of the island.
Drangajökull covers only an area of 200 km2, and it is the only one lying below a 1000m altitude (925 meters high). But it is still the fifth largest glacier in Iceland. The glacier is surrounded by low hills, making it a popular hiking route from Hornstrandir. Experience the adventure of hiking in this glacier! It will take you between 60 to 90 minutes to get to the edge. As always, we recommend doing this with a professional guide.
Just in a beachfront, you will find Krossneslaug, a geothermal pool between the mountains and the ocean. In 1954, a group of local farmers built the pool using water from the natural hot springs around it. When in the Westfjords, this place is an incredible option to relax with a beautiful ocean view. Remember to bring a swimming suit with you, and you are all set!
With a population of 400 people, Hólmavík is the largest town in the Standir region. Their main economic activity is fishing, and now due to the tourism growth, it also gains from the service sector. The isolated town of Hólmavík was once related to the mystical, supernatural world, making now the Museum of Sorcery & Witchcraft a very famous place to visit when in Hólmavík. Like most of Iceland’s towns, this peaceful place is also very nice to hike over the summer. Other activities like kayaking, horseback riding, and golfing are favorite amongst locals and visitors.
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