• Your Guide To

The Westfjords are a neck of land extending from the rest of the country in the north-west of Iceland. This is the oldest part of the Icelandic landmass, 14-15 million years old, which is yet relatively young, compared to rocks elsewhere on the earth. Glaciers have been a major force in shaping the land and there are glacier-eroded valleys and cirques all around the region.

In the Westfjords there are various highlights that visitors should aim for. Amazingly beautiful, untouched nature is a main feature of this area, along with rich birdlife and great opportunities for bird watching. The area around Reykhólar in the southern part of the Westfjords is one of the places where visitors have excellent access to Icelandic birds. This region also offers the best possible chance to sight the rare and beautiful White-tailed eagle. In the Westfjords is also Látrabjarg, the largest bird cliff in the North Atlantic, where visitors will surely be enchanted by the swirling cacophony of birdlife. It is reckoned that a million birds of various kinds nest on this cliff. At the foot of Látrabjarg is the largest Razorbill colony in the world, and nowhere will you find Puffins easier to approach or more fun to watch. The Westfjords are at close proximity to the islands on Breiðafjörður, where birdlife is also vivid. A ferry sails from Brjánslækur across the bay to Stykkishólmur in Snæfellsnes, stopping by in the island Flatey where the small town still has the air of an early 20th century settlement.

Ísafjörður, the largest town in the Westfjords, is located at the deepest of the fjords, Ísafjarðardjúp. On this fjord lie two islands, Vigur and Æðey, most notable for rich eider duck nesting and the only windmill in Iceland. Boat tours go from Ísafjörður to these islands in the summer. From Ísafjörður you can also take a boat to the Hornstrandir nature reserve. This is the northernmost part of the Westfjords and offers pure wilderness to all visitors. Although fairly populated in earlier days, these fjords are now left to nature’s firm grip. Arctic foxes, lush meadows covered with flowers, majestic cliffs with screaming seabirds, deep fjords and vast remote bays make Hornstrandir a real paradise for all nature lovers.

South to Hornstrandir is the Strandir region, where the landscapes and small villages in Djúpavík and Norðurfjörður, together with the magical witchcraft museum in Hólmavík, make a unique impression. Another place that travellers in the southern part of the Westfjords should definitely visit is the powerful and scenic waterfall Dynjandi, located by the fjord Arnarfjörður.

Travelling to the Westfjords you will journey through the whole range of Icelandic flora from the shore and meadows, through birch and willow, to mossy moors. On a stroll amidst the driftwood on the shore one can see birds and seals and then an occasional arctic fox around the deserted farmsteads. Along your way there are numerous travel services and activities to enjoy.

Further information about this area can be found at www.westfjords.is.

See photos from a tour to this area in the Westfjords photogallery.

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