Picture a distant panorama of historical mountains, the strata layers of volcanic creation seen to the bare eye. These mountains unfold out like fingers of a hand, surrounded by water and sparsely dotted with red-roofed farmhouses. The rugged lands of Iceland’s Westfjords are far sufficient away from the touristed Ring Road to offer an genuine and transformative expertise for guests, but shut sufficient to suit it in with simply 5 days in Iceland.
While you discover all the pieces right here that makes Iceland so magical — glaciers, cliffs, puffins, waterfalls, and scorching springs — the Westfjords are far sufficient off the well-trod vacationer path to make it a great vacation spot for folks returning to Iceland for his or her second or third journey. If it sounds intriguing however you don’t know the place to start out planning, observe this Iceland Westfjords itinerary to prepare your journey.
If you’re taking an extended Iceland highway journey across the complete Ring Road, it’s possible you’ll solely wish to spend in the future within the Westfjords. You can nonetheless slot in a few of the highlights that I’ll level out beneath, however I might encourage you to remain a couple of days.
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I not too long ago spent 4 days within the Westfjords on my third journey to Iceland on a ladies’ journey. On this journey, as an alternative of heading south or to the Golden Circle, like most first-time guests, we headed west. We first spent a full day on the Snaefellsnes peninsula, earlier than heading as much as the Westfjords.
On this journey, as an alternative of self-driving and exploring on our personal, we paired up with Hidden Iceland to expertise a non-public model of their four-day Westfjords tour. Hidden Iceland volunteered to point out us round in order that we might expertise and evaluate their tour, however we lined our personal lodging and meals.
We completely cherished our time with Ryan from Hidden Iceland and I might extremely advocate becoming a member of one among their excursions when visiting the Westfjords — for causes that I’ll element later. If you wish to e-book one among their scheduled group excursions, you’ll be able to obtain 10% off utilizing my referral code of WE3TRAVEL.
Getting to the Westfjords
Your drive from Reykjavik to the sparsely populated Westfjords of Iceland will take about 4 to 5 hours, relying on the place you begin your exploration of the Fjords. Another choice can be to spend an evening in West Iceland or in Stykkisholmur on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
From Stykkisholmur, it’s also possible to take a automotive ferry to the Westfjords. However, it takes about the identical size of time as driving so for those who undergo from movement illness, it’s possible you’ll simply wish to drive it.
Since we stayed in Stykkisholmur, we drove from there to our first cease in Heydalur within the northern fjords on our first day on Route 54 and 60.
Here is a map of the route I might advocate for this Westfjords itinerary.
Map supply: Google My Maps
Where to remain within the Westfjords
While there are fewer inns within the Westfjords, in addition they aren’t as crowded or costly, making a visit to the Westfjords perfect for somebody desirous to expertise Iceland on a tighter price range. We cherished our lodging on the following locations:
Iceland Westfjords Itinerary
Here is the day-by-day breakdown of our Iceland Westfjords itinerary so that you can observe:
Westfjords Day 1
Erpsstadir
On our option to the Westfjords from Stykissholmur, our first cease of the day was at Erpsstadir, a dairy farm providing selfmade ice cream, Skyr, cheeses, and different merchandise. This family-run enterprise is a superb pit cease alongside your drive, providing entry to a playground and livestock (for a payment), bogs, and scrumptious dairy merchandise.
If you get an opportunity to take a farm tour — do it! The dairy is fascinating and the child cows — simply too cute. Double examine on their open hours and in case you are visiting exterior of the summer time, make sure to name forward to make an appointment.
Eiriksstadir
Just a bit additional down the highway, you’ll be able to go to a recreation of a Viking longhouse and find out about Iceland’s Viking roots at Eiriksstadir. This homestead of Erik the Red and Leif the Lucky affords excursions by guides in conventional Viking clothes.
It pays to hitch an organized tour to be taught the fascinating historical past — and perhaps even meet a real Viking descendent. While a lot of a go to to Iceland is in regards to the panorama, don’t miss out on this opportunity to be taught a bit in regards to the historical past and tradition too.
Budardalur
After leaving Eiriksstadir, we stopped for lunch within the small city of Budardalur. Remember, in these elements of Iceland cities are few and much between. You want to make use of the chance to make use of the washroom, seize some meals, and replenish on fuel when you might have it.
We had a tasty lunch in Veidistadurinn, a restaurant proper off the primary highway. They focus on fish and the fish and chips have been fairly tasty!
Hotel Heydalur
As you make your approach north on Route 61, you’ll start to note the altering panorama. The mountains will get taller and extra rugged. You are coming into the oldest a part of Iceland, as these mountains are 15 million years outdated.
You will start to wind your approach alongside the fingers of the Fjords and be tempted to cease at each unmarked waterfall and charming farmhouse to take photos. Just bear in mind that you’ve got a variety of driving forward!
We spent the evening on the Country Hotel Heydalur, which affords reasonably priced single, double, and even triple rooms. This charming guesthouse is quintessential Icelandic — easy Scandinavian decor, charming hosts, and home-cooked meals in a country setting.
There is a pure scorching spring throughout the river, an indoor swimming pool and greenhouse and on-site self-catering cabins to lease. This conventional Icelandic horse farm additionally affords horseback using, mountain climbing, fishing, and sea kayaking excursions. It was a stunning keep and the comfort of the on-site eating and included breakfast made it a great cease on our journey.
Westfjords Day 2
Arctic Fox Centre
Our first cease on our second day within the Westfjords was on the Arctic Fox Centre in Sudavík. This is a rescue and academic heart for rehabilitating wild arctic foxes. There are 6,000-8,000 wild arctic foxes in Iceland, which is the fifth largest inhabitants on this planet behind Siberia and Canada.
The arctic fox is the one place of birth mammal to Iceland, all the pieces else has been introduced over by the Celts, Vikings, or later settlers. The data inside is pretty fascinating, however the actual deal with is getting to fulfill the rescue foxes exterior.
Since rescues are usually launched again into the wild, you by no means know what can be there throughout a go to. We acquired fortunate to see a child fox, which was simply in regards to the cutest factor ever. Our tour information even gave me an opportunity to feed it some small dried fish pellets.
Ísafjordur
Our subsequent cease was within the city of Ísafjordur, the unofficial capital of the Westfjords. You might actually make this your own home base for a few days of exploring as there are many lodging and restaurant choices.
We had the perfect meal of the journey (and that’s saying quite a bit!) at Tjöruhúsid in Ísafjordur. This inconspicuous restaurant within the fishing village affords the freshest and tastiest fish dishes — on par with something you’ll find in a significant metropolis — with a barn-like, cozy however rustic inside. The meals are served buffet fashion, however with a steady stream of various pans of sautéed and baked fish contemporary off the range.
Vigur
After lunch, we hopped aboard a ship with West Tours for a visit out to Vigur, also referred to as Paradise Island or Puffin Island, a distant island within the fjord that’s residence to over 80,000 puffins in the summertime. Unfortunately throughout our go to the final week of August they’d already departed for the season.
Only two folks dwell on this island year-round and so they make a dwelling harvesting the down from Eider geese. Don’t fear, they don’t harm the geese, they pluck the feathers out of the nests. This laborious activity explains the excessive price ticket related to eiderdown duvets.
After a strolling tour across the island, we popped into the cafe for espresso, tea, and a choice of selfmade desserts — which have been scrumptious! Just don’t overdo it as a result of the boat trip generally is a bit uneven.
Kirkjuból
After a fast cease in Flateyri, as a result of how might we resist trying out the oldest retailer in Iceland, which simply occurs to be a e-book retailer, with continued on to our lodging for the evening at Kirkjuból Guest House.
We had an uncommon family-style dinner at Kaffi Sol close by, though you could possibly simply keep and have dinner in Isafjordur. And despite the fact that there are inns in Isafjordur, we discovered the Kirkjuból Guest House fairly charming and reasonably priced, with lovely views of the encompassing mountains.
Westfjords Day 3
If you solely have in the future within the Westfjords, that is most likely the place you wish to spend it as these are the sights with the most important wow issue and essentially the most well-known of the locations to go within the Westfjords.
Dynjandi Waterfall
We actually lucked out on our third day within the Westfjords with sunny skies. This was a giant day and if we might have spent 5 days within the Westfjords, I might have cut up this into two separate days to cut back the quantity of driving.
Our first cease was on the 100-meter-tall Dynjandi waterfall, one among Iceland’s tallest waterfalls. You actually need to present yourselves a minimum of an hour right here to climb to the highest and take pictures of the bridal veil falls and decrease falls from a number of angles.
Just don’t neglect to show round and take within the view of the fjord beneath. The reflections off the water could be fairly gorgeous and through our journey in late August, the autumn colours have been already draped throughout the fields.
Patreksfjordur
After visiting Dynjandi, and making numerous picture stops, we made our option to Patreksfjordur, which is the place we have been planning to remain the evening on the pretty and fashionable Hotel West. We had views overlooking the fjord that have been fairly lovely.
Stúkuhúsid in Patreksfjordur made an awesome cease for lunch with scrumptious salads, sandwiches, and dessert. While Patreksfjordur was pretty, we had extra to see that day earlier than returning for a scrumptious dinner on the Fosshotel West Fjords.
Látrabjarg Cliffs
After lunch, we launched into the lengthy drive over primarily gravel roads to a different one of many Westfjords’ most well-known sights, the Látrabjarg Cliffs, the westernmost level in Iceland. Our first cease was the Gardar BA 64 shipwreck, an outdated whaling ship that was beached in 1981 and immediately is a well-liked picture opp.
We thought of stopping at Raudisandur, a red-sand seaside alongside the coast, however all of the driving was attending to us and we determined to skip it. Just the glimpses of the seashores alongside this southern fjord have been fairly spectacular although, with vast, flat sand stretching out to the ocean. If we had cut up this present day into two, I might have loved a pleasant, lengthy stroll on a type of seashores — whether or not it was crimson or yellow sand.
I’m glad that we didn’t reduce our time quick on the Látrabjarg Cliffs as a result of we might have walked endlessly alongside these towering cliffs. These cliffs are residence to 1000’s of puffins in the summertime, however they left for his or her winter within the Atlantic Ocean once we arrived on the final day of August.
Like the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, however taller, these cliffs tower as much as 400 meters with a sheer drop to the ocean beneath. As with most pure sights in Iceland, you received’t discover any guardrails alongside the delicate cliff edge so keep on with the trail and take care, particularly when it’s windy. It actually seems like a powerful gust would blow you proper off.
It actually turned out to be an ideal climate day as a result of not solely did the solar shine on us for many of the day, however the situations for the aurora borealis have been prime. That night we saved an eye fixed on the aurora forecast and headed out with our cameras and tripods to see if we might spot the Northern Lights. We actually acquired fortunate with an attractive show — actually a bucket record expertise!
West Fjords Day 4
Grábrók
Our last day within the West Fjords was actually all in regards to the drive again to Reykjavik. If you have been persevering with on to Northern Iceland or spending a while in West Iceland, you could possibly actually add in additional stops within the Westfjords. However, simply the drive up and over the mountains and alongside the fjord was simply gorgeous and the right capstone to our time in Iceland.
Once we reconnected with the Ring Road, we stopped on the Grábrók Crater. You can climb alongside the edges of three volcanic craters and try the remnant of Viking settlements.
Glanni Waterfall
The last cease on our journey was on the Glanni Waterfall, simply previous Grabrok close to the city of Bifrost. Seriously, who wouldn’t wish to cease at a spot known as Bifrost?! It makes me wish to attend the University there.
Glanni is about within the Nordura River, which is a salmon fishing river. You park close to a golf course after which it’s a quick stroll to the overlook of the falls.
From Glanni, it’s one other 1.5 hour drive again to Reykjavik (see my put up on the place to remain in Reykjavik.)
Tips for Visiting the Westfjords
I LOVED my time within the Westfjords and I’m so glad I acquired to expertise this distant a part of the nation. However, there are positively a couple of issues that you simply want to concentrate on earlier than you e-book a visit.
- Due to the character of the geography, there’s a LOT of driving concerned in a go to to the Westfjords that it’s worthwhile to be ready for.
- Many of the roads within the Westfjords are gravel, with various levels of upkeep and highway situations. Some of those roads cling to the cliff’s edge.
- We visited the Westfjords in early September and this Iceland Westfjords itinerary is greatest for a summer time go to from May-early October. Many of those roads are closed completely for stretches of time within the winter. I might NOT advocate making an attempt to go to the Westfjords within the winter. Plan to go to between June-August for the perfect situations.
- Give your self a minimum of 4 days to benefit from the Westfjords. Don’t attempt to squeeze it in throughout a 7 or 10-day Ring Road journey. Either make a separate journey for the Westfjords, mix it with West Iceland, or plan to spend 2-3 weeks exploring all the nation.
- I like to recommend reserving a tour versus self-driving if this makes you in any respect uncomfortable. It was so pleasurable to let another person take management of the driving! Remember, you will get 10% off a gaggle, scheduled tour with Hidden Iceland with promo code WE3TRAVEL.
- Bring Dramamine or ginger sweet/drinks/tablets for those who get movement sick because the winding roads are certain to set off it.
- Get fuel, use the bathroom, and get meals when you might have an opportunity — you by no means know when the following alternative might come up.
- Keep in thoughts that lodging are extra reasonably priced within the Westfjords than in different elements of the nation, however they’re additionally restricted so reservations are extremely really useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
100%! The Iceland Westfjords is one among my favourite areas. First, as a result of it’s extra distant and never as well-known or serviced by massive tour corporations, the Westfjords shouldn’t be crowded in any respect. It is simple to benefit from the pure wonders of this area with hardly anybody else round. Second, as a result of there isn’t the identical demand, inns and guesthouses within the Westfjords are way more moderately priced. And lastly, this space is simply gorgeous. It is the oldest area in Iceland and its rugged magnificence is not like what you see in different elements of the nation.
I might extremely advocate renting a 4WD car with a excessive clearance on your journey to the Westfjords. We traveled in a station wagon, however lots of the roads are gravel and a few are fairly pitted with massive potholes. An SUV or 4×4 would make for a neater drive.
Absolutely, however I might advocate having a GPS and never relying completely on cell service and Google Maps. You wish to be sure you additionally deliver alongside a paper map or have clear instructions to every of your locations. However, I cherished taking a non-public tour of the Westfjords with Hidden Iceland and letting them deal with the driving and navigation.
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