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Dynjandi - Látrabjarg - Puffins
The Westfjords has by far more fjords than any other place of iceland. This means that travelling here takes a lot of time while the roads go in and out the fjords. But, of course it´s extremely beautiful and no two fjords look the same.
This is a great area for the birdwatcher. The regional capital is Ísafjördur. Now to some further information about some of the places.
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Strandir , thearea south of Hornstrandir is often overlooked by tourists but is fairly accessible if you have a car. Hólmavík (1) (pop.400), at the main road or Drangsnes are the best places to start exploring this district.
It's also possible to fly to Gjögur (2), which is really set in the most beautiful part of Strandir. Gjögur and Djúpavík, close by, used to be big fishing centres, but have almost been abandoned.
In the very north lies Hornstrandir (3), a huge area that has been compleately abondened by man, can only be reached by boat. This nature reserve is a peaceful place on earth and a hikers paradise, but not that easy to get to. There are no sheep here so this is a perfect place to study the flora and fauna of Iceland. Who know maybe you'll run into an arctic fox. |
Hólmavík
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Ísafjörður (4) is with 3000 inhabitants by far the biggest town in the Westfjords. This is a good place to start exploring the area as many tours start here. It is possible to go on boat tours to the great uninhabited nature reserve Hornstrandir. And there are also a few bus tours to neighbouring fjords and the most famous sights in the West Fjords.
Bolungarvík (5) (pop.1000), just north of Ísafjörður is the second largest town in the West Fjords. It lies nicely between high mountains that offer great views if climbed. Just before entering the town there's a museum, a restored fisherman's hut called Ósvör, where you get a look into the old days. There is also a museum of natural history in town.
For those driving, the main road between Ísafjörður and Brjánslækur (8) (from where the ferry goes to Stykkishólmur) passes right by the Dynjandi (6) falls, the most impressive waterfall in the Westfjords. The main fall, Dynjandi or Fjallsfoss, has a total height of 100 meters but it's not a free fall, the thing that makes the waterfall a little unusual is that it´s twice as wide at the bottom as it is at the top. There are a few more waterfalls below it, one of which you can walk behind. There is a campsite right by the waterfall and it is possible to go there by sheduled bus from Ísafjörður.
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Ísafjörður
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Látrabjarg (7) is definately a must for those visiting this part of Iceland. And if you've never seen puffins before now you will, it's impossible to miss them. Látrabjarg is a 14km long bird cliff and at some parts it's as high as 400 meters.
The puffins live in the grass at the top of the cliffs and aren't at all afraid of people which makes it possible to get very near. It's fairly easy to get within a meter from the birds, do not touch them though. This is an amazing chance to study these fascinating "parrots of the north".
The cliffs themselves are very impressive going straight up from the sea. This is also Iceland's western most point, and therefor also Europe's. Here you have the chance to stay at Europes western most guest house, visit the western most museum and so on... |
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