Westfjords
5
Day Itinerary •
Iceland
Five days in the Westfjords give you the full extraordinary range of Iceland's most remote and spectacular peninsula, from Isafjordur's extraordinary timber old town and the Dynjandi waterfall staircase to the Latrabjarg puffin cliffs at the western tip of Europe, the extraordinary Hornstrandir wilderness, the remarkable Drangajokull glacier and the extraordinary Strandir coast with the Holmavik Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft. This route covers the complete Westfjords. Isafjordur and the Bolafjall mountain panorama, the Dynjandi seven-tiered waterfall and the Arnarfjordur fjord drive, Latrabjarg bird cliffs and the Raudasandur red beach, Hornstrandir Nature Reserve and the arctic fox encounter, the Drangajokull glacier hike, and the extraordinary Strandir coast with its sorcery museum and the extraordinary Krossneslaug hot pot on the remote northern shore.
Best Time To Visit
June to August. Most roads and ferries only operate in summer.
Getting There
Fly Reykjavik to Isafjordur (40 min) or drive 6 hours.
Getting Around
4WD car essential. Check road.is daily. Hornstrandir by ferry.
Budget Per Day
Approx 20,000 to 42,000 ISK per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate. Latrabjarg exposed. Drangajokull requires guide.
DAY 1
ISAFJORDUR
MORNING
ISAFJORDUR OLD TOWN AND THE WESTFJORDS MUSEUM
Isafjordur's extraordinary old town on its narrow spit of land in the Skutulsfjordur fjord contains the finest collection of 18th and 19th-century timber houses in the Westfjords. The Westfjords Heritage Museum in the Turnhus building, the oldest standing building in Iceland from 1744, tells the complete story of the Westfjords with remarkable objects. The extraordinary harbour promenade gives views of the surrounding fjord walls. Museum entry approx 1,500 ISK. Travel: 30 min drive up mountain
MIDDAY
BOLAFJALL MOUNTAIN PANORAMA
The Bolafjall road above Isafjordur rises to 638 metres to a former NATO radar station giving the most extraordinary free panorama in the Westfjords, the entire Isafjordur bay and the surrounding fjord system visible in extraordinary clarity. The extraordinary view of the town spit far below with the fjord arms stretching in all directions is the finest single viewpoint accessible by car in the Westfjords. Open June to September. Entirely free. Travel: 1 hour drive to Sudureyri
AFTERNOON
SUDUREYRI, THE ORGANIC FISHING VILLAGE
Sudureyri is the most extraordinary fishing village in the Westfjords, its remarkable sustainable fishing programme and extraordinary organic certification making it the finest example of responsible Icelandic fishing heritage. The village tour visits the remarkable fish processing plant and the extraordinary organic vegetable gardens that supply the entire village. The extraordinary Sugandafjordur fjord behind the village is outstanding. Village tour approx 2,500 ISK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Skutulsfjordur fjord walk from Isafjordur along the shoreline gives the most extraordinary evening light on the fjord walls in the Westfjords, the extraordinary reflection of the mountains in the still water visible from the flat walking path. Entirely free. The finest evening walk from Isafjordur.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Isafjordur Coffee and Westfjords provisions. | Lunch: Cafe in Sudureyri Outstanding fishing village cafe. Freshest fish in the Westfjords. | Dinner: Tjoruhusid, Isafjordur Outstanding fish restaurant. Daily fish buffet in the extraordinary old harbour building.
DAY 2
DYNJANDI
MORNING
DYNJANDI, THE JEWEL OF THE WESTFJORDS
Dynjandi is the most extraordinary waterfall in the Westfjords, its seven-tiered staircase descending 100 metres with each successive tier wider than the one above, the top tier 30 metres wide and the base 60 metres. The remarkable walk beside all seven tiers takes 30 minutes. The extraordinary view from the top over the Arnarfjordur fjord is the finest in the Westfjords. The remarkable Hestsfjardara and Kviabekksfoss waterfalls beside the road below Dynjandi are outstanding. Travel: 1.5 hour drive along fjord
MIDDAY
THE ARNARFJORDUR FJORD DRIVE AND BJARNAFOSS
The drive along the Arnarfjordur fjord from Dynjandi is the most extraordinary fjord road in the Westfjords, the remarkable vertical cliff walls and the extraordinary Bjarnafoss waterfall dropping directly onto the road giving the finest combination of cliff and waterfall scenery in Iceland. The extraordinary Fljotsbotn farm at the fjord head with waterfalls behind is outstanding. The Arnarfjordur is the largest fjord in the Westfjords at 35km. Travel: 1.5 hour drive to Breidavik
AFTERNOON
BREIDAVIK AND THE WESTERN PENINSULA
Breidavik beach on the western Westfjords peninsula is the most extraordinary white sand beach in the Westfjords, its remarkable clear water and the red sand mountains of Raudasandur visible in the distance across the peninsula giving the finest beach character in the region. The extraordinary Latrabjarg lighthouse at the western tip of Europe visible on the horizon gives the finest evening light. The Breidavik guesthouse is the finest remote accommodation in Iceland.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hestsfjardara waterfall beside the road below Dynjandi is the most extraordinary roadside waterfall in the Westfjords, a double cascade dropping directly beside the gravel road that most visitors miss entirely. Park and walk 5 minutes. Entirely free. The finest hidden waterfall encounter on the Dynjandi approach.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel in Isafjordur Early departure breakfast before the Dynjandi drive. | Lunch: Picnic at Dynjandi waterfall Pack provisions. The Dynjandi viewpoint is the finest picnic spot in the Westfjords. | Dinner: Breidavik Guesthouse Outstanding remote guesthouse dinner at the western tip of Europe. Local fish and lamb.
DAY 3
LATRABJARG
MORNING
LATRABJARG, EUROPE'S LARGEST SEABIRD COLONY
Latrabjarg is the westernmost point of Europe and the largest seabird colony in the Northern Hemisphere, its extraordinary 14km of cliffs rising 440 metres hosting millions of puffins, razorbills, guillemots and fulmars. The extraordinary puffins allow approach to within 1 metre in July, entirely fearless of humans. The cliff edge walk gives the most extraordinary wildlife encounter in Iceland. The extraordinary views westward into the open Atlantic are outstanding. Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
RAUDASANDUR RED SAND BEACH
Raudasandur's extraordinary pink and red crushed-shell sand unique in Iceland stretches 10km along the southern Westfjords coast. The remarkable colour is most vivid in low-angle light. The extraordinary seal colony resting on the beach and the abandoned farm at the eastern end make it the finest beach in the Westfjords. The extraordinary mountain backdrop in shades of red and ochre is outstanding. Entirely free. Travel: 1 hour drive to Isafjordur area
AFTERNOON
RETURN DRIVE VIA THE CENTRAL WESTFJORDS
The return drive from the western Westfjords peninsula crosses the extraordinary central plateau giving the finest aerial view of the fjord system from above, the extraordinary series of parallel fjord arms visible simultaneously from the highland road. The Mjoifjordur fjord arm detour gives the finest narrow fjord experience in the western Westfjords. The drive to the Hornstrandir ferry point at Isafjordur takes approximately 1.5 hours from the western tip.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hvitserkur sea stack at the eastern end of Latrabjarg is the most extraordinary hidden formation at the bird cliffs, a remarkable isolated rock column entirely covered in nesting guillemots and razorbills accessible by continuing east from the main Latrabjarg car park. Almost no visitors walk this far east. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Breidavik Guesthouse Outstanding remote breakfast before the Latrabjarg walk. | Lunch: Picnic at Latrabjarg Pack provisions. No facilities at the cliffs. Eat above the puffins. | Dinner: Tjoruhusid or Edinborg, Isafjordur Outstanding Isafjordur fish restaurants. Local catch of the day.
DAY 4
HORNSTRANDIR
MORNING
FERRY TO HORNSTRANDIR NATURE RESERVE
Hornstrandir is the most extraordinary accessible wilderness in Iceland, the abandoned northern peninsula where the last farmers left in the 1950s and the arctic fox population has since grown to the densest in the country. The ferry from Isafjordur to Hesteyri takes approximately 1.5 hours. The extraordinary abandoned village, the remarkable doctor's house now serving coffee in summer, and the extraordinary arctic foxes approaching within metres are outstanding. Ferry approx 8,000 to 12,000 ISK return. Travel: 2 hour walk
MIDDAY
ARCTIC FOX ENCOUNTER AND HORNSTRANDIR WALK
The walk from the Hesteyri ferry landing gives the most extraordinary arctic fox encounter in Iceland, the foxes approaching within 1 to 2 metres in their summer brown coats. The remarkable Hesteyri village ruins with the extraordinary cliff backdrop, the abandoned whale processing station and the remarkable seal colony at the fjord head are outstanding. The extraordinary wildflower meadows of Hornstrandir in July are the finest in Iceland. Travel: 2 hour ferry return
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO ISAFJORDUR AND DRIVE TO HOLMAVIK
The return ferry from Hornstrandir gives the finest approach to Isafjordur from the sea, the extraordinary fjord arms visible from the boat. The drive from Isafjordur to Holmavik on the Strandir coast takes approximately 2 hours via the extraordinary Djupafjordur crossing. The Strandir coast is the most extraordinary and least visited part of the Westfjords, its remarkable character entirely different from the western peninsula.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hesteyri doctor's house in Hornstrandir, the fully furnished abandoned house of the last Hornstrandir doctor left in 1952, now serves coffee and waffles in summer to hikers. Open July and August only. The most extraordinary seasonal cafe in Iceland in the most extraordinary abandoned village setting.
������ WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Isafjordur Early breakfast before the Hornstrandir ferry. | Lunch: Pack lunch for Hornstrandir No facilities in the reserve. Eat beside the arctic foxes. | Dinner: Hotel Laugarholl restaurant, Holmavik Outstanding Strandir coast dinner. Local lamb and Icelandic fish.
DAY 5
HOLMAVIK AND STRANDIR
MORNING
HOLMAVIK MUSEUM OF ICELANDIC SORCERY
The Holmavik Museum of Sorcery and Witchcraft is the most extraordinary small museum in the Westfjords, its remarkable collection of Icelandic folk magic objects including a sorcerer's skin coat, traditional magical staves and the extraordinary Necropants, trousers made from the skin of a dead man used to create wealth, giving the finest insight into Icelandic folk magic traditions. The museum is located in a remarkable old building in the extraordinary Strandir village. Entry approx 1,500 ISK. Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
DRANGAJOKULL GLACIER, ICELAND'S NORTHERNMOST
Drangajokull is the most extraordinary glacier in the Westfjords, the northernmost glacier in Iceland at 925 square kilometres and the only glacier in the country that has been growing rather than retreating. The guided glacier walk onto the ice gives an extraordinary experience unlike the southern Icelandic glaciers, the remarkable blue ice and the extraordinary views over the Westfjords fjord system from the glacier surface outstanding. Guide required. Approx 12,000 to 18,000 ISK. Travel: 1.5 hour drive
AFTERNOON
KROSSNESLAUG, THE MOST REMOTE HOT POT IN ICELAND
Krossneslaug is the most extraordinary geothermal pool in Iceland, a tiny hot pot pool on the remote Strandir shoreline at the end of a long gravel road, its extraordinary position directly above the sea with the waves crashing on the rocks below giving the finest geothermal bathing experience in the country. The pool holds approximately 10 people and is entirely free. The drive to the pool gives extraordinary Strandir coast scenery.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Krossneslaug is the most extraordinary hidden geothermal experience in Iceland, a tiny free hot pot pool on the remote Strandir shoreline at the end of a 20km gravel road, the extraordinary position above the waves of the Denmark Strait making it the finest free bathing in Iceland. Almost entirely unknown internationally. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel Laugarholl Breakfast before the sorcery museum. | Lunch: Picnic at Drangajokull Pack provisions for the glacier hike. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Holmavik Outstanding final Westfjords dinner. Local lamb and Strandir fish.
Where To Stay
Isafjordur, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel Isafjordur or Gamla Gistihusid. Old town. Approx 18,000 to 32,000 ISK. Breidavik, Night 3 Breidavik Guesthouse near Latrabjarg. Remote western tip. Approx 15,000 ISK. Holmavik, Nights 4 to 5 Hotel Laugarholl or Holmavik guesthouse. Strandir coast. Approx 14,000 to 22,000 ISK.
Top Tips
1. Check road.is every morning without exception. Westfjords gravel roads close at short notice.
2. Pack enough food for 3 days from Reykjavik or Isafjordur. Shops are rare outside the capital.
3. Latrabjarg puffins are approachable to within 1 metre in July. Bring a wide-angle lens, not a telephoto.
4. The Krossneslaug hot pot on the Strandir coast is the most remote geothermal pool in Iceland. Free.
5. Book the Hornstrandir ferry well in advance. It runs only in summer and fills quickly.
6. The Holmavik Museum of Sorcery gives the finest insight into Icelandic folk magic. Entry approx 1,500 ISK.
Total Budget
20,000 to 42,000 ISK/day