Westfjords Iceland Guide
Remote Beauty & Hidden Gems — Iceland's least-visited region, visited by only 3% of tourists
Only 3% of Tourists Visit
Iceland's most remote, least-visited region
Best Season: Jun–Aug
Many roads closed outside summer
Gravel Roads, 4x4 Recommended
Steep passes, no tunnels in many areas
Highlights
Dynjandi, Latrabjarg, Hornstrandir, Raudasandur
Why Visit the Westfjords
The Westfjords represent the last frontier of Icelandic tourism. While the Ring Road draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, the Westfjords remain blissfully quiet, offering an experience that feels genuinely wild and undiscovered. The landscape is defined by dramatic fjords that cut deep into the peninsula, creating a coastline of staggering complexity and beauty.
Wildlife thrives here in ways it does not elsewhere in Iceland. The Arctic fox, Iceland's only native land mammal, lives in healthy numbers in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, where they have grown remarkably unafraid of humans. Seals haul out on remote beaches, and whales are regularly spotted in the deep fjords. The bird life is extraordinary — Latrabjarg alone hosts millions of nesting seabirds in summer.
Virtually no crowds means you can stand at thundering Dynjandi waterfall with perhaps a handful of other visitors, walk along the vast red sands of Raudasandur in near-total solitude, and drive for hours without seeing another car.
Getting There
Driving from Reykjavik
The most common approach is driving north from Reykjavik on Route 1, then turning west onto Route 60 or Route 68 toward the peninsula. The drive to the southern Westfjords takes approximately 4–5 hours, while reaching Isafjordur in the north takes 6–7 hours. Plan for longer travel times than the map suggests — the winding roads and gravel surfaces add considerably to journey times.
Baldur Ferry from Snaefellsnes
The Baldur car ferry runs between Stykkisholmur on the Snaefellsnes peninsula and Brjanslaekur in the southern Westfjords. The crossing takes about 2.5 hours and passes through Breidafjordur bay with its countless islands. This is the most scenic way to arrive and saves significant driving time. Book in advance — it fills up quickly in July and August.
Flying to Isafjordur
Icelandair Connect operates daily flights from Reykjavik Domestic Airport to Isafjordur. The flight takes about 40 minutes and offers spectacular aerial views of the region. Car rental is available at Isafjordur airport, though options are limited so book well ahead.
Top Attractions
Dynjandi Waterfall
Dynjandi is widely considered the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland, and many travelers rank it among the most stunning in the world. The main cascade fans out 30 meters wide at its base, creating a bridal-veil effect that is utterly mesmerizing. The water drops a total of 100 meters over a series of seven cascades, each with its own character and name. A well-maintained trail leads up alongside the falls, with viewpoints at each tier. The sound is tremendous — 'Dynjandi' means 'thundering' — and the mist catches the light in ways that make photography irresistible. Unlike many of Iceland's famous waterfalls, you will often have Dynjandi largely to yourself.
Latrabjarg Cliffs
Latrabjarg is Europe's largest bird cliff, stretching 14 kilometers long and rising up to 441 meters above the Atlantic. It is home to millions of nesting seabirds, including one of Iceland's most accessible puffin colonies. During the nesting season (late May to mid-August), puffins burrow into the grassy clifftops and are famously unafraid of humans — you can sit quietly near the cliff edge and watch them waddle past just a meter or two away. The cliffs also host razorbills, guillemots, fulmars, and gannets in staggering numbers. Latrabjarg is also the westernmost point of Iceland and, by some definitions, the westernmost point of Europe at Bjargtangar.
Safety Warning: The cliff edges at Latrabjarg are unfenced and can be unstable. The grass may overhang empty air. Stay well back from the edge, never lean over to photograph birds below, and keep a close eye on children. Several people have had close calls here, and the drop is fatal.
Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
Hornstrandir is the crown jewel of Icelandic wilderness. This uninhabited nature reserve at the northernmost tip of the Westfjords has no roads, no services, and no permanent residents — it was abandoned in the 1950s when the last farming families left. Today it is accessible only by boat from Isafjordur or Bolungarvik, and everything you need must be carried in. In return, Hornstrandir offers some of the most pristine hiking in Europe, with Arctic foxes so tame they will approach within a few meters, dramatic cliff scenery, and a profound sense of isolation. This is not a casual day trip — it requires planning, proper gear, and respect for the conditions — but for experienced hikers, it is the experience of a lifetime.
Raudasandur Beach
Raudasandur, meaning 'red sand,' is one of Iceland's most unusual and beautiful beaches. Unlike the famous black sand beaches of the south coast, Raudasandur is a vast sweep of reddish-golden sand that stretches for 10 kilometers along the southern coast of the Westfjords. The sand gets its distinctive color from crushed scallop shells and other minerals. On a sunny day, the contrast between the red-gold sand, turquoise shallows, and dark mountains is extraordinary. The beach is home to a large seal colony, and you can often watch dozens of seals lounging on the sand or bobbing in the surf. The access road descends a steep, winding gravel track — take it slowly and use low gear.
Bjargtangar — Westernmost Point of Europe
At the tip of Latrabjarg, the lighthouse at Bjargtangar marks the westernmost point of Europe (at longitude 24 degrees 32 minutes west). Standing here, the next land west is Greenland and then North America. It is a powerful, windswept spot that gives you a real sense of Iceland's position on the edge of the world.
Hot Springs
The Westfjords have several natural hot springs and geothermal pools, many of them free and rarely visited. Hellulaug is a small geothermal pool right on the edge of the fjord, with views across the water to snow-capped mountains. Pollurinn in Talknafjordur is a free geothermal pool maintained by the local community. Krossneslaug is a remote pool on the northern coast, accessible only by a long gravel road, where you soak in hot water while watching the Arctic Ocean crash against the shore. These are simple, honest, and deeply Icelandic experiences.
Driving the Westfjords
Driving in the Westfjords is unlike driving anywhere else in Iceland. The roads are narrow, winding, and often unpaved. Distances that look short on a map take far longer than expected because you are constantly winding around fjords, climbing over mountain passes, and navigating gravel surfaces. A stretch that covers 100 kilometers on the map might take 2–3 hours to drive.
Road Conditions
- Surface: Many roads are unpaved gravel, including major routes between towns
- Width: Single-lane roads are common, with passing places for oncoming traffic
- Mountain passes: Steep and winding, some with loose gravel and no guardrails
- Blind curves: Frequent on fjord roads — honk before blind corners on narrow roads
- Sheep: Free-roaming from June to September, often standing in the road
Gas Stations
Gas stations in the Westfjords are sparse. The main stations are in Isafjordur, Bolungarvik, Thingeyri, Bildudalur, Patreksfjordur, and Holmavik. Outside these towns, there is very little fuel available. The golden rule: fill up your tank at every gas station you pass, even if you still have half a tank. Running out of fuel on a remote gravel road with no phone signal is a serious situation you want to avoid.
Time Estimates
- Isafjordur to Dynjandi2–2.5 hours (150 km)
- Dynjandi to Latrabjarg2–3 hours (120 km, mostly gravel)
- Patreksfjordur to Raudasandur45 minutes (25 km, steep gravel descent)
- Isafjordur to Holmavik3–4 hours (230 km)
- Full circle of the Westfjords8–10 hours pure driving (not recommended in one day)
When to Visit
Summer (Mid-June to August)
This is the only reliable window for visiting the Westfjords. All roads are open, the Baldur ferry runs daily, puffins nest at Latrabjarg, boats run to Hornstrandir, and you have nearly 24 hours of daylight. Temperatures range from 8–15°C on good days. July is the warmest and busiest month.
Shoulder Season (May and September)
Early June and late May can be viable but risky — some mountain passes may still be snow-covered, and puffins may not have arrived yet. September brings beautiful autumn colors but shorter days, and some services begin to close.
Winter (October to April)
The Westfjords in winter are essentially inaccessible for tourism. Many roads close entirely, some towns become reachable only by air, and services are minimal. Unless you have very specific reasons and local knowledge, do not plan a winter Westfjords trip.
Midnight Sun
The Westfjords are the northernmost part of mainland Iceland, and from mid-June to early July, the sun barely dips below the horizon. Many of the best light conditions happen between 10 PM and 2 AM, when the low-angle sun paints the fjords and mountains in golden tones.
Practical Tips
Fill up gas at every station. Stations are far apart and some are unmanned card-only pumps. Always top off.
Carry food and water. There are very few restaurants or shops outside the main towns. Bring snacks and ideally a packed lunch for each day of driving.
Limited phone signal. Mobile coverage is patchy at best outside the main towns. Download offline maps before you arrive.
Book accommodation ahead. The Westfjords have limited lodging. Book guesthouses, hotels, and campsites well in advance, especially in July.
Check road.is daily. Road conditions change rapidly. Some roads may be temporarily closed due to weather, landslides, or construction.
Weather gear is essential. Even in summer, expect wind, rain, fog, and cold. Bring waterproof layers, warm fleece, sturdy shoes, and a windproof jacket.
Allow extra time. Everything takes longer than you think in the Westfjords. Plan for shorter daily distances than you would on the Ring Road.
Emergency number: Dial 112 for emergencies. Download the 112 Iceland app, which can send your GPS location to rescue services.