Journey to The Westfjords: Iceland’s Quietest, Most Dramatic Region
Seeking an Iceland experience that is not about crowds and tour buses? The remote Iceland secret: the Westfjords. The rugged peninsulas, mirror still fjords, puffin cliffs and red sand beaches make this place look like a different country than the busy south coast.When you want space, silence and view that remains uncharted, The Westfjords should have at least a chapter with your Discover Iceland travel plans.
What Defines the Westfjords?
The Westfjords stick out on the northwest of Iceland, similar to a massive hand of peninsulas that were cut by the old glaciers.Mountains are flat topped and drop in deep fjords, and the fishing villages are small and perch on narrow stretches of shore.Highways meander along the shoreline, winding round this fjord and that fjord; the distances are not immense, yet travel is tedious–and that is one of the attractions.
Must‑See Landscapes in the Westfjords
Think of The Westfjords as a natural gallery, each area offering a distinct “exhibit”:
- Dynjandi Waterfall – This waterfall is also known as the jewel of the Westfjords and is an extensive bridal veil waterfall of approximately 100 meters that falls in a series of steps.It is not till one takes a short uphill stroll that they see not just the main fall but also various smaller falls beneath each with its own personality.
- Látrabjarg Cliffs – At the western tip of Iceland, and frequently of Europe, the Lateral Cliffs extend many kilometers along the shore, and hundreds of meters above the sea.During the summer they nest millions of seabirds including the puffins that nest so near the path that you can watch nearly with the length of your arm.
- Rauðasandur Beach– It may be in Iceland, but because of the odd coloration Raundasandur welcomes the visitors with red gold sand instead of the black sand.It is supported by flat topped mountains and open to Atlantic making it one of the most atmospheric walking beaches in the country.
- Hornstrandir Nature Reserve– At the extreme north of The Westfjords, one can find a roadless wilderness made up of cliffs, coves & valleys filled with flowers.Accessible only by boat during summer, Hornstrandir is available to experienced hikers who can enjoy the best multi day hiking & have some of the best opportunities to view wild Arctic foxes.
Planning with Discover Iceland
When one wants more than standard solutions, the Discover Iceland can assist you in creating an itinerary that will allow The Westfjords time to truly shine, be it one day of focused exploration in a three day loop, or a full week of slow travel.A mix of sensible logistics and local expertise will see to it that by the time you drive into this wilderness of Iceland, you are ready, well-informed and set to explore one of the most genuine parts of the country.
The only question that has been lingering in your mind was, is The Westfjords worth the extra mileage? This question to those who appreciate quiet roads, spectacular cliffs and being deep into the wilderness is a resounding yes.
