Top 8 Things to do in Westfjords
The Westfjords have some of Iceland's most spectacular landscapes, including rocky cliffs, rolling hills, stunning fjords, glaciers, and black and red sand beaches.
Given that the Westfjords are one of the least inhabited parts of Iceland, they are an ideal getaway for individuals who want to get away from the noise and chaos of the city.
Its remote location also makes it a great place for adventure and exploration, with many remote hiking trails and scenic drives to enjoy.
Dynjandi Waterfall (the Thunderer) is unquestionably the most breathtaking location in Iceland's Westfjords.
The main cascade's tremendous force plunges 100 meters (329 feet) from a mountain's cliff and the crystal-clear water streaming over the falls resemble a magnificent wedding veil.
When seen up close, it is said to have extraordinary energy and almost a hypnotic effect.
The Dynjandi waterfall is located in the Westfjords area of Iceland, about 5 hour drive or 355 km (220 miles) from Reykjavik Capital city.
Located in the stunning fjord of Arnarfjörður where you will witness some of the most breathtaking scenery in the area.
Dynjandi can only be reached by the Vestfjarðarvegur (#60) road, which links the northern and southern portions of Westfjords.It is about 80 kilometers south of Ísafjordur, the largest town of the Westfjords.
The hike up to the waterfall from the parking area is a little rough, with some steep portions, but it is possible for the average person.
The picturesque panoramic views are quite rewarding when you reach the summit, which takes around 15 minutes.
GPS: 65.774175, -23.172377
Summer season, which runs from May to October, is when you should visit Dynjandi waterfall.
However, it's crucial to stay away from the region in the winter.
Numerous routes in the region are frequently closed due to severe snowfall and avalanches.
In the winter, this region is not safe to drive or go trekking.
You can hike all the way to the base of the waterfall in about 30 minutes, stopping along the way to appreciate the different smaller waterfalls and take a break to read the signs.
We advise you to spend at least an hour and a half in Dynjandi because it's a lovely area to get off the road and soak in the fjord's natural beauty.
There is a historic homestead also, which is located near the parking lot and is a noteworthy feature that you should not miss.
The inhabitants of the former homestead were forced to leave in 1951 because the deafening roar of the waterfall disrupted their daily life.
Látrabjarg, one of Iceland's most westernmost points is almost 14 kilometers (9 miles) long and has sheer walls that may reach heights of 440 meters (1440 feet).
Due to its seclusion, this natural marvel is considered to be home to the biggest concentration of seabirds in the country, including adorable and friendly puffins.
The puffins, in particular, are exceptionally friendly and give spectacular picture possibilities from close range.
From Reykjavik, it takes around six hours to drive to Látrabjarg on a rental car.
After reaching Bifröst on the ring road route 1, turn left onto road 60.
Then, after taking road 60 to Flókalundur, turn left into road 62, which will lead you to a left turn onto road 612 which will take you to Látrabjarg.
Make sure you refuel at Flókalundur because it is still a 95 km (60 mi) trip from there to Látrabjarg and there are no gas stations along the route.
If you're traveling from Ísafjörður, the Látrabjarg cliffs are around 125 kilometers south of that city.
It may be around three hour's drive from Ísafjörður.Due to the region's gravel roads, traveling across it might be challenging.
GPS: 65.503174, -24.531526
Although it is possible to travel to this place at any time of the year, it is recommended to do it in the summer because in the winter months the roads leading there are often snow-covered and closed.
However, during the late fall season, up to October the location may be visited during the Northern Lights season.
Látrabjarg is recognized as one of the most magnificent seabird cliffs in the entire world.
Because of its solitude and remarkable geometry, the region is home to millions of seabirds that are generally secure from the area's wild fox.
The puffin is one of the most frequent bird species that can be seen here.
They are quite sociable and provide amazing photo opportunities from close range.
Numerous guillemots, fulmars, and razorbills are known to build nests and raise their young in the area.
Around 10 different kinds of seabirds reside in the cliffs as a whole.
Ísafjörður has often been named the capital of the Westfjords.
Located in Iceland's northwest, is renowned for its commerce, tourism, fishing, and festive atmosphere.
This tranquil village with just about 2,700 residents has an off-the-beaten-path vibe and feels like a border between the present and the past.
Definitely one of Iceland's most lovely town.
The drive from Reykjavik to Ísafjörður is about 5 - 6 hours, depending on how many stops you make.
You start on Ring Road route 1 from Reykjavik.
After reaching Bifröst on the ring road route 1, turn left onto road 60. Follow road 60 until you see a sign instructing you to turn left onto road 61.
Keep driving that road until you arrive at your destination Ísafjörður.
Consider flying if you're pressed for time.
Various domestic flights link Reykjavík with Ísafjörður.
GPS: 66.057285, -23.191794
There are several possibilities for lodging and sightseeing in the town of Ísafjörður.
The campground in Tungudalur, close to the town, provides AC power and a variety of services, including washing machines and restrooms.
The Hotel Ísafjörður is a contemporary hotel with a stunning view of the harbor where you may choose to stay.
There is a restaurant there as well that serves various seafood dishes.
Another alternative is the Gamla guesthouse, which has communal rooms.
The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, located in the northernmost region of the Westfjords, is renowned for its pristine landscape, breathtaking views, and exceptional seclusion.
It can be regarded as an ideal place for trekking, an outdoor yoga haven, or a wildlife enthusiast's utopia.
Being utterly wild and only accessible by boat, you may trek for days on end without coming across another person.
Hornstrandir has a long history that distinguishes it from the rest of Iceland.
In the past, environmental preservation and human life in Hornstrandir were linked.
The area's sea and bird cliffs were home to the local population, who engaged in modest traditional agriculture.
Attacks by polar bears and other animals are anticipated in the region due to their presence, and the distance between farms was frequently challenging in the winter.
Due to these circumstances, the history of the area is now well understood, as evidenced by the variety of activities that can be found inside the reserve.
The bird cliffs were one of the key elements that set farming in the region apart.
The residents of Hornstrandir abandoned their farms during World War II.
The property was finally transferred to the private owners as a result of the socioeconomic changes that took place in the post-war era.
These people are permitted to engage in customary activities including fishing, hunting, and egg-gathering on the land.
The Nature Reserve has a small number of refurbished and vintage homes.
These homes are frequently occupied during the whole summer, and anyone who pitches their tent too next to them must vacate.
The reserve is home to over 260 different types of plants and ferns.
While the majority of these may be found in the West Fjords, the area is also home to several unique species.
Due to the area's unusual topography and high cliffs, the reserve has been shielded from grazing for many years, allowing the flora to flourish at an elevation of about 300–400 meters.
The sea lungwort, which is both nutritious and edible, is one of the most abundant plants found in the reserve.
Along with 30 different bird species, the area is also home to field mice, seals, and other animals that make nests.
The bird cliffs, Hælavíkurbjarg, Riturinn, and Hornbjarg are a few of the most intriguing places that tourists may explore.
Atop the food chain is the Arctic Fox, the sole native animal of Iceland, which rules the region.
Fox populations in Hornstrandir are safeguarded from human influence and allowed to exist in peace.
As a result, they approach campsites frequently in search of food and are not frightened of people.
The Hornstrandir cliffs are home to breeding birds, which this animal is known to feed upon.
Rauðisandur is a ten-kilometer-long beach stretch in the Westfjords known for its red and golden hue sand and crushed scallop shells that have been collected over the years.
The weather and lighting affect the beach's stunning colors in different ways.
Rainy days are just as remarkable since the sands are continually changing colors, going from red to yellow to white to red to black, with incredible hues spanning this wonderful show.
Starting in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, you go north on Ring Road route 1.
Travel through the town of Borgarnes.Take a left turn to continue on Road Number 60 after passing Bifröst.
Continue on this road for a few hours until you reach Vattarnes.
Continue on Route 62 after passing this point.Continue down this road and make a left turn to travel on Route 612.
Continue driving till you reach Rauðisandur.
Turn left and proceed down a dirt path to the beach after reaching the peak.
After reaching the beach, you may park your car in a tiny parking area.
GPS: 65.472313, -23.985732
With a population of about 700, the peaceful town of Patreksfjörður is one of the largest on the south side of the Westfjords.
Patreksfjörður, which translates as "St. Patrick's Fjord," was named after a nobleman who lived in the region when the country turned to Christianity.
Fishing and fish processing are the major occupations held by locals of Patreksfjörður.
The distance from the capital city of Reykjavik to Patreksfjörur is 392 kilometers (243 miles) or around 5 hours by car.
From Reykjavik, you go through the town of Borgarnes on Ring Road route 1, heading north.
Once you have crossed Borgarnes, continue through Bifröst and turn left onto Road 60.
Take a left turn at Flókalundur to get on Route 62. Continue on this road to reach Patreksfjörður.
GPS: 65.590045, -23.971701
Djúpavík is a small village in Iceland's Northern Westfjords.
It is the least populated municipality in Iceland, with only 53 inhabitants, one hotel, an abandoned herring factory, and only seven houses.
The town is located at the top of Reykjarfjörður, and is well-known for its massive abandoned herring plant and stranded herring ship, on the Strandir shore.
Whatever Djúpavík lacks in size, it makes up for its stunning beauty and magical atmosphere.
Djúpavík is roughly 300 kilometers
(187 miles) from Reykjavík,
the capital city, or a 4 1/2-hour
journey in a rented vehicle.
You leave Reykjavik on Ring Road route 1 to the North.
Drive through Borgarnes and turn left onto route 60 when you pass Bifröst.
Continue on road 60 until you reach the Hólmavík sign and turn right onto road 61.
After passing through Hólmavík (approximately 70 kilometers), turn right onto route 643, which will take you through breathtaking scenery along the coast of Strandir all the way to Djúpavík town.
GPS: 65.945528, -21.560696
The legend of Djúpavík began in 1917 when entrepreneur Elís Stefánsson planned to construct a herring factory in the town.
Before then, Djúpavík had farmsteads for hundreds of years and just a single family lived there. With the Great War raging in Europe and the following economic collapse in Iceland, the timing was unfortunate.
As a result, the herring factory was closed down by the 1920s.In 1934, a new factory was constructed.This time the factory's building was regarded as one of the most technologically sophisticated undertakings in the world at the time. And also one of the biggest concrete construction in Europe.
The factory builders were aware of the types of weather to be encountered in this arctic region. Therefore, structures were designed from the beginning to withstand even the worst weather conditions.It was a huge success, boosting the area's booming herring fishing industry.
The success was short-lived, however, as the herring population began to decline in 1940 and completely disappeared in 1948.
In 1954, the business filed bankruptcy once more. And once everyone left, the herring factory was left in ruins. Owners of the factory never truly gave up on their dreams.
The structures endured over time and eventually underwent conversion to become a hotel.
Today, this place is a magnificent destination.
Krossneslaug is one of Iceland's most fascinating pools.
Positioned on Strandir's coastline between a mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean.
Some people claim to have had the magical experience of sitting by the pool and seeing whales swim by.
This is the oldest portion of Iceland, and despite the lack of volcanic activity,
Krossneslaug is heated by natural hot springs water, which is quite unusual in this part of the country.
The distance between Krossneslaug and Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is around 337 kilometers (210 miles), and it takes five hours to travel there in one go.
From Reykjavik, follow Ring Road 1 north through Borgarnes.
Turn left onto Route 60 after about 30 minutes, when you pass Bifröst.
After around 50 kilometers, turn left onto Route 61 and proceed through the town of Hólmavík.
Take road 643 to get to the geothermal pool.
Please drive carefully as the final stretch of the road is rough.
GPS: 66.055770, -21.508162
You may say that Krossneslaug is at the end of the world due to its remote location, more than 100 kilometers from the next civilization.
Aside from offering a breathtaking vista to photograph, the nearby natural attractions provide thrilling hiking routes in this breathtaking setting.
Heaven for birdwatchers with a wide range of species, the panoramic view of enormous mountains on one side of the pool and an infinite ocean on the other is breathtaking.
If you decide to spend more than a day, Urðatindur offers both a convenient lodge and a top-notch campsite.
Because it blends into the surroundings, particularly the sea, Krossneslaug is known as an "Infinity Pool."
Giving the impression that nothing is blocking the view of the two oceans.
You'll get a similar feeling of being in a fairy tale once you go in the pool.
Just you, the hot tub, and the view of the infinite ocean.
You shouldn't be surprised to see whales playing, rearing their calves, and swimming barely above the ocean floor.
Dolphins, seals, and seagulls may also be seen in the area.
