The Westfjords are a region in the northwest of Iceland.

Getting to the Westfjords

Isafjordur is the largest town in the Westfjords and a hub for reaching the surrounding area, including the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Isafjordur is reachable by car, by bus and by flight.

Dynjandi

Dynjandi and the other waterfalls in Dynjandisa, together with their surroundings, were protected as a natural monument in 1981. The waterfalls at Dynjandi are Fjallfoss at the top, then Hundafoss, Strokkur, Gongumannafoss, Hrisvadsfoss and Sjoarfoss.

The steps at Dynjandi were formed by the stratification of the rock into lava layers and looser intermediate layers. The lava layers make the steps, and the river carved out the intermediate layers.

Latrabjarg

Latrabjarg is the westernmost point of Iceland. Latrabjarg is a line of several cliffs, 14 km long.

The birds at Latrabjarg are safe from foxes and are fearless, which allows photography from close range. Puffins at Latrabjarg frequent the grassy, higher part of the cliffs.

The edges at Latrabjarg are fragile and loose, and the fall is high.

Hornstrandir

Hornstrandir, Adalvik, Rekavik bak Latur and Fljotavik, together with part of Jokulfirdir, are protected as a nature reserve. The most common way into the Hornstrandir reserve is by sea.

The visitor centre for the Hornstrandir reserve, Hornstrandastofa, is in Isafjordur. Visitors must register their entry into the Hornstrandir reserve, and landowners and house owners in the area are exempt.

Geothermal pools

Hellulaug is a geothermal pool just off the highway near the beach in Vatnsfjordur. It cannot be seen from the road, and there is a parking lot next to the path leading to it.

Pollurinn is the local name for the hot natural pools close to the town of Talknafjordur. The pools are a few minutes' drive from town and are used throughout the year.

The hot natural pools at Drangsnes are on the shoreline in the middle of the village and are easily spotted from the road. They are used throughout the year by locals and visitors.

The towns

Bolungarvik is the northernmost village in the Westfjords, on a cove of the same name, and has been a fishing port since settlement.

Flateyri has been a trading post since the eighteenth century and saw its heyday in the nineteenth, when it was home to a fleet of decked vessels and a base for shark-hunting and whaling.

Holmavik is home to the Museum of Sorcery and Witchcraft.

Bildudalur sits by the fjord Arnarfjordur and is known as the good-weather capital of the Westfjords, with sea mineral processing and fish farming as its main industries.

Drangsnes is a fishing village, and boat tours run from it to the island of Grimsey.

Patreksfjordur is one of the towns of the southern Westfjords.

Driving, and when roads close

The mountain roads Dynjandisheidi and Hrafnseyrarheidi on road 60, between Bildudalur and Thingeyri and Isafjordur, are closed during winter. Weather and road conditions in Iceland differ from what most visitors are used to and can change fast.

Checking road conditions before you set off

Road conditions and closures for Iceland are published by the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration. Use the Road Conditions to help plan your trip.

Comparing Westfjords tours

You can compare Westfjords tours to see the current options.