At Látrabjarg, millions of seabirds nest during the breeding season along a long cliff edge. Dynjandi plunges down a series of six waterfalls, while the Westfjords Way connects the region’s towns and villages with fjords, mountain passes, beaches and cultural sites. These contrasts define a trip through the Westfjords, where wildlife watching, geological features and maritime history come together.

A Route Through the Westfjords

The Westfjords Way is an approximately 950-kilometer circular route through Iceland’s Westfjords. It can be traveled as a complete road trip or in shorter sections. The route follows long fjords, crosses mountain passes and goes through tunnels; some stretches are still gravel roads. Beaches, mountains, waterfalls, geothermal pools and long stretches of coastline also shape its character. The route links towns and villages with these landscapes, as well as with cultural sites and well-known natural attractions. When planning, consider whether you want to explore the full loop or selected sections. Road conditions can vary seasonally.

Bird Cliffs and Waterfalls

Látrabjarg is one of Europe’s largest seabird cliffs. The cliffs extend for approximately 14 kilometers and rise up to 441 meters above the Atlantic. During the breeding season, millions of seabirds nest there, including puffins, razorbills, common guillemots and gannets. Látrabjarg was designated a nature reserve in 2021. You can reach the cliffs by road; in some sections, you can walk along the cliff edge. Road conditions may vary depending on the season.

Dynjandi offers a different scale: the waterfall consists of a series of six waterfalls and plunges approximately 100 meters. From the designated parking lot, a 15-minute walk leads to the main area. This distinguishes the short walking distance from the scale of the waterfall without conflating the two figures.

Protected Areas and Wildlife Watching

Hornstrandir is part of a 589-square-kilometer protected area in the northern part of the Westfjords Peninsula. Watching and photographing Arctic foxes are visitor activities there in both winter and summer; sightings vary by location and season. The most common way to reach Hornstrandir is by sea. Scheduled departures operate from Ísafjörður, Bolungarvík and Norðurfjörður on the Strandir coast. Timetables are seasonal and should be checked before your trip.

Vatnsfjörður Nature Reserve offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching and wildlife watching. Fishing and geothermal bathing are also possible there; fishing requires a permit. Hellulaug is a geothermal pool near the beach in Vatnsfjörður. There is a parking lot beside the access path. These different activities offer a concrete guide when deciding whether to focus your trip on nature experiences, outdoor activities or a swim.

Geology, History and Local Cuisine

Surtarbrandsgil was protected as a natural monument in 1975 to preserve fossilized vegetation, particularly lignite and clay layers from the Tertiary period. An exhibition about the protected area is housed in the old parsonage in Brjánslækur. It is open daily in summer, and admission is free. During opening hours, a ranger leads walks to the gorge at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Check the latest dates before your trip.

The cultural attractions also offer different focuses: the Arctic Fox Centre is a nonprofit research and exhibition center focused on the Arctic fox. The Westfjords Heritage Museum, usually called the Maritime Museum in guidebooks, offers insights into the maritime history and culture of the Westfjords. Seafood plays a central role in the region’s food culture. Along the route, you can also find local lamb, baked goods and other regional culinary experiences. Discovering the Westfjords thus ranges from landscapes and wildlife to history, culture and food.

Explore More Destinations

Thingeyri, Patreksfjördur, Bíldudalur, Ísafjörður, Haukadalur, Keflavik, Suðureyri, Holt, Bolungarvík, Flateyri, Látur, Hólmavík, Borðeyri, Saurbær, Breiðavík, Súðavík, Drangsnes, Hnífsdalur, Kirkjuból, Garpsdalur, Hagi, Staður, Prestbakki, Árnes, Tálknafjörður, Reykhólar, Sæból

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