Other places of interest in the area Hornbjarg ,  Hornstrandir ,  Adalvik ,  Hesteyri ,  Haelavikurbjarg ,  Hornvik ,  Fljotavik ,  Latravik (Hornbjarg) ,  Bolungavik ,  Reykjafjordur

Here we will make do with a short description of two areas, although they do by no means exhaust the opportunities for birdwatching. Other areas, such as the islands in Breidafjordur, the Reykhólar area, Onundarfjordur and Heydalur and many more, also offer wonderful opportunities for birdwatchers. 

Latrabjarg and vicinity
The road goes out to the lighthouse at Bjargtangar, the westernmost point of Iceland, and from there to the edge of the Latrabjarg cliff. In the
summer there are scheduled trips between Latrabjarg and the main towns of the Westfjords region.

The road goes around Patreksfjordur before turning inland at Orlygshofn and over the heath above Breidavik, and along Latravik out to the end of the
point. Orlygshofn is an important nesting area for eiders and there are a huge number of waders and sea birds in the bays. There are a large number of
wetland birds in Breidavik,  and in Latravik an unusual number of ringed plovers. Snow buntings occur in large numbers on the uplands. Stretching for
14 km and rising to 440 m at its highest point, Latrabjarg is the largest bird cliff in Iceland and also the largest by the North Atlantic.

It is thought that as many as a million birds of various kinds nest on the cliffs of Latrabjarg, including all the alcids that nest in Iceland, with
the exception of the little auk. In fact, at the foot of the cliffs is the largest razorbill colony in the world. In addition to the swarm of
guillemots and other alcids, there is a large number of fulmars and kittiwakes. And perhaps most exciting for the traveler, nowhere is the puffin
easier to approach or more fun to watch.

On the shores of fjord Isafjardardjup
Those places here discussed are easily reached by road. Furthermore, in summer there are sightseeing trips by sea over the fjord and all the way west
to Hornstrandir.

The coast is steep in most places, the cliffs plunging into the sea, and only in some places is there a shelf of land at sea level. Nevertheless, the
shores are better vegetated than in most of the region. The mountainsides and the valley bottoms often sport birch woods, and the islands of Aedey and Vigur and other smaller ones are covered in summer with grasses and flowers. The shores of Isafjardardjúp and the head of the valley have a softer
look than elsewhere in the northern reaches of the Westfjords.
A large number of eiders, puffins and other sea birds nest on the islands. Ptarmigan are found back from the shore and wrens sing in the "woods". It is
good to stop for a moment at some places by the sea and look for long-tailed ducks (old squaws) or goosanders. Harlequin ducks are found in the rivers and streams, and sea eagles nest by the fjord.

The islands of Aedey and Vigur are among the choicest spots for birdwatching. Both islands have large eider colonies and on Vigur, for example, a large number of puffins and pigeon guillemots are easlily accessible. Vatnsfjordur and Reykjanes also are homes to a varied bird life.

Other places of interest in the area Latrabjarg ,  Hornbjarg ,  Grimsey ,  Skaleyjar ,  Onundarfjordur ,  Vigur ,  Hornstrandir ,  Hesteyri ,  Haelavikurbjarg ,  Hornvik ,  Fljotavik ,  Latravik (Hornbjarg) ,  Reykjafjordur ,  Latravik (Latrabjarg) ,  Breidavik ,  Kollsvik ,  Haenuvik ,  Orlygshofn ,  Heydalur ,  Drangsnes Hot Pots ,  Breidafjordur Boat Museum

Dynjandi is the biggest waterfall of the Westfjords and one of the most impressive ones in the whole of Iceland. It combines thunderous power and natural elegance. It is located in Arnarfjordur, not far from the Museum of Jon Sigurdsson at Hrafnseyri.

A campground with WC is located just by the waterfall.

Other places of interest in the area Museum of Jon Sigurdsson ,  The Old Blacksmith's Workshop

The nature reserve Hornstrandir, the northernmost part of the Westfjords, offers pure wilderness to all visitors. Comparatively densely populated in earlier days, these fjords are now left to natures’ firm grip. Arctic foxes, lush meadows covered with flowers, majestic cliffs with screaming seabirds, deep fjords and vast remote bays make Hornstrandir a real paradise for all hikers and nature lovers.

Travellers to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve should contact Tourist Information Centres in the Westfjords for further information regarding the trip, to check out the weather forecast and to gather last minute information. Safety should always be number one when planning trips to Hornstrandir and other remote areas in the Westfjords peninsula, as weather and other conditions change quickly.

Other places of interest in the area Hornbjarg ,  Arctic Fox ,  Bird life and good areas for birdwatching ,  Adalvik ,  Hesteyri ,  Haelavikurbjarg ,  Hornvik ,  Fljotavik ,  Latravik (Hornbjarg) ,  Bolungavik ,  Reykjafjordur ,  Nauteyri ,  Laugaland

Latrabjarg, the westernmost point of Europe, is the home of one of the worlds biggest Black Guillemot bird colonies. Up to 444 m high, the cliffs are occupied by millions of Puffins, Gannets, Guillemots and Razorbills. Enjoy this unforgettable bird cliff on the edge of the world with white sand beaches and Snaefellsjokull glacier in the distance. 

Latrabjarg is 14 kilometres long and reaches 444 metres high at Heidnakinn. It is one of the world’s greatest bird cliffs, with what is thought to be the largest razorbill colony on earth. Large numbers of other species including fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots and puffins nest and breed on the cliff. In centuries past, the cliff was a major local source of food. Farmers would catch birds and gather eggs from its face, risking their lives as they dangled precariously over the cliff top from slender ropes. Up to 36.000 birds a year were caught there and countless eggs collected. Hay was even made on its steep slopes and in its deep valleys. Eggs are still collected from the cliff today, partly to keep the alive this tradition that has been handed from one generation to the next for centuries. 

One of the bravest rescue operations in Iceland’s history was undertaken beneath Latrabjarg when the British trawler Dhoon stranded beneath the 200-metre Baejarbjarg in frost and fierce weather in December 1947. Local farmers saved the lives of 14 crew members by scaling down the sheer icy cliff under treacherous conditions.

A walk along Latrabjarg cliff edge is just as remarkable for the minute subtleties of the teeming life that fidgets and flutters on every ledge as for the awesomeness of nature’s grandeur.

Other places of interest in the area Raudasandur ,  Orlygshofn ,  Hnjotur Museum ,  Bird life and good areas for birdwatching ,  Latravik (Latrabjarg) ,  Keflavik ,  Breidavik ,  Kollsvik ,  Haenuvik ,  Orlygshofn

Other places of interest in the area Bjarnarfjordur ,  Museum of Witchcraft ,  The Sorcerer's Cottage ,  Drangsnes Hot Pots