Westjords are the most isolated part of Iceland.
Westfjords Iceland are my favourite, beacause of it’s breathtaking nature, unique hot springs in the wild, huge waterfalls and cliffs with puffins.
Population of Westfjords is less than 7 thousands people and each year is getting smaller, due to fish industry automation and migration to Reykjavík.
Harsh conditions in winter and isolation do not encourage young people to live here. However this is what make Westfjords unique and so beautiful.
I will try to summarize the best spots in Westfjords:
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Fishermenns hut and shed in Vatnsfjörður
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Seal lookout at Litlibaer
About 70 kilometers (45 miles) east of Ísafjörður. There is a small parking lot by the spot. Get some windblock clothes as taking pictures can last long time.
GPS coordinates of Seal lookout at Litlibaer – Westfjords: 65.995274, -22.815151 see on the map!
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Kambsnes Tröð Scenic Lookout
A beautifull spot on a Kambsnes headland in between Álftafjörður and Seyðisfjörður.
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Ísafjörður the capital of Westfjords Iceland
The biggest town in the fjords with population of 2,5 thousand.
Great place to do some shopping like BONUS groceries, a bear in Vinbudin and some local crasfthmaship.
We stayed in beautifull Tunguskur CAMPING under waterfall.
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Hrafnseyri
Old Icelandic settlement, and a museum.
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Dynjandi Waterfall
The Jewel of the Westfjords is also called Fjallfoss.
Its cascades are 100m high and 30m wide.
WESTFJORDS ICELAND HOT POTS
There are much more, we just saw a few.
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Reykjafjarðarlaug swimming pool and hot spring
One of the most impressive Hot pots in Iceland.
It’s a perfect stop before or after visiting the Fjallfoss waterfall.
When you’re in the Westfjords, definitely make a stop here and relax before continuing your trip.
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Pollurinn
once you pass Tálknafjörður, just continue straight. The tubes are about 2 kilometers (1,2 miles) away from the village on the right side.
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Brúarpotturinn Hot Pot
1km further, under the bridge. This one is usually super hot (around 50 deg C)
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Birkimelur Swimming Pool
This hot pool see the map ! is situated at the south coast of the Westfjords about 15 kilometers (10 miles) west from Flókalundur road nr. 62. About 17 kilometers (10,5 miles) west from an another geothermal pool – Hellulaug. Adult fee is 700kr and child is 300kr.
for more hot pots in Iceland see ICELAND HOT SPRINGS
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Garðar BA 64
THE ABANDONED SHIP IN ICELAND
The ‘Gardar BA 64’ is the oldest steel ship, an Icelandic ghost ship. It was built in 1912 by a Norwegian shipyard and used for whaling in the Icelandic waters.
The ship, originally known as the ‘Globe IV’ was a whaling vessel. The hull was specially reinforced to break through the icy seas. During its active lifetime it was sold around to a number of different countries before finding an Icelandic owner in 1950. It was renamed ‘Garðar’ and it was used or fishing herring.
In 1981 the ship stranded at Patreksfjörður and has been beached for years and is now a rusting ruin.
We had a really Icelandic weather while 40min around this ship. Fog, rain, snow, strong wind and bright sumertime sunlight, all that in one place!
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Látrabjarg cliff
It’s the Europe’s largest bird cliff, 14km long and 400m high! and westernmost point in Iceland. Millions of birds nest here like Puffins, Razorbills, and many more.
If you plan to visit Westfjords Iceland, do not miss this place!!!
How to find the Látrabjarg cliff: GPS coordinates of Látrabjarg: 65.501949, -24.531151 go to map!
Látrabjarg is located at the very end of the Westfjords, at the end of the road nr. 612. After parking your car, just go up the hill and then you can continue for several kilometers straight ahead.
BE CAREFUL!!! Mind the edge of the cliff! The wind is usually very strong.
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Rauðisandur – the Red Sand beach
Every one know famous Black Sand Icelandic beaches, but the iconic Rauðisandur beach in Westfjords, Iceland is supposed to embarrass all other. This beach is not only very spacious and also in contrast to most of the Icelandic beaches, this one is yellow, or even gold. I think it depends of the weather. We had a very cloudy day.
In the summer time, you can enjoy nice sunny days here, and need a very thick neoprene if you want to try the Atlantic 😉
Check on map!
After Red Sand Beach we left to catch the Seatours ferry to Snæfellsnes peninsula.
Brjanslaekur – Stykkisholmur ferry is 2.30 hours.
You take your car and give up to the high waves… One way 2 adults and a child in a car was 13,380 ISK
I hope Westfjords Iceland will stay in your mind, like it stayed in mine.
Some highlights I mentioned above are a glimpse what you will enjoy on the way through Westfjords.
For more Westfjords Iceland go to gallery
or go to the Ring Road Iceland
