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    Self drive - The Westfjords way in 5 days Summer Edition

    Vestfjarðaleiðin (Icelandic for TheWestfjordsWay and pronounced ‘Vest-fyar-tha-lay-thin’) is a dramatic driving route which makes for a memorable road trip. It is real driving experience, twisting and turning, occasionally along gravel roads and through tunnels, giving visitors the freedom to choose where to stop and explore – at viewpoints, mountain tops, beaches or headlands. This article is a suggestion on how you can experience the whole Vestfjarðaleiðin (e. Westfjords Way) in action packed 5 days.
    5 day self drive around Vestfjarðaleiðin #TheWestfjordsWay
    5 day self drive around Vestfjarðaleiðin #TheWestfjordsWay

     

    Day 1. Reykjavík – Dalir region - Strandir

     



    Driving north on route 1 from Reykjavík it will take you approximately 1 hour 40 minutes to get to the start of the Westfjords way, simply turn left on to route no. 60 and once you have crossed Brattabrekka your first mountain pass, your journey around Dalir and the Westfjords has officially begun.

    Enjoy the day exploring the Dalir region, rich in history. You can visit the sites of Auður djúpúðga (Aud “the deep-minded”) famously involved in Eiríkssaga rauða (Saga of Erik the Red) and Laxdæla saga (Laxdaela saga) and see the landscape that affected this intelligent and gracious, wide traveled woman. Or visit the birthplace of Leif “the lucky” Eriksson, son of Erik the Red, where you can see and experience the ways of life and conditions and that his family lived in at Eiríksstaðir in Haukadalur.

    Continuing your journey to Hólmavík in the Strandir region of the Westfjords, Strandir was the setting for a witch-hunting craze in Iceland in the 17th century. Due to its isolation, the locals have throughout the centuries preserved stories of strange beings, ghosts, and everyday witchcraft. Hólmavík boasts two centres of research related to folklore and the history of Icelandic sorcery; the well-known Museum of Sorcery and Magic, and the University of Iceland’s Folklore Research Institute.

     

    Experiences:

    Erik the Red’s homestead in Dalir
    Fellsströnd in Dalir
    Gudrunarlaug, geothermal pool
    Buðardalur
    The Leif Eiriksson Center
    Dagverðanes
    Hafratindur mountain
    The Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft Museum
    Bjarnafjörður
    Laugarhóll Swimming Pool

    Tours:
    Whale Watching Hólmavík

    Overnight Options:
    Finna Hotel
    Guesthouse Malarhorn
    Hótel Laugarhóll
    Kirkjuból Travel Service
    Vogur Country Lodge
    Dalahótel

    Restaurant Options:
    The Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft Museum
    Café Riis
    Guesthouse Malarhorn
    The Leif Eiriksson Center
    Vogur Country Lodge
    Dalahótel

    Driving Distance:
    240 kilometers

    Day 2. Djúpavík - Djúpið - Ísafjörður

     

    Heading north in Strandir you can visit the least populated municipality in Iceland, the beautiful towns of Djúpavík (filming location of Aquaman) and Norðurfjörður, experience raw nature and visit Krossnes swimming pool or an old, abandoned herring factory. Heading back, you should make your way towards Ísafjörður were you will embark on a scenic journey through Djúpið (e. the Deep), a set of many picturesque fjords, enjoying pit stops along the way taking in the air, the view, nature and wildlife. Hvítanes is known seal colony where harbour seals can be spotted relaxing on the rocks, while gazing out into the fjords you might spot a whale looking for food.

     

    Experiences:
    Fjords of Ísafjarðardjúp
    Hvítanes
    Litli Bær
    Heydalur
    Djúpavík
    The deserted Herring Factory in Ingólfsfjörður
    Norðurfjörður
    Krossnes Swimming Pool

    Tours:
    Heydalur

    Overnight Options:
    Hótel Ísafjörður
    Guesthouse Mánagata
    Gamla Guesthouse
    Gamla Bokabúðin
    Holt Inn

    Restaurant Options:
    Heydalur
    Logn
    Dokkan
    Edinborg Bistró
    Verbúðin Pub

    Driving Distance:
    410 kilometers

    Day 3. Ísafjörður and surrounding area

     

    In and around Ísafjörður the largest town in the peninsula, there are plenty of option to experience culture, nature and food. For those seeking more adrenaline some options would be cycling tours, hiking, sea kayaking, rib safari tours, ATV tours, those seeking culture and history can visit Ósvör museum, Westfjords heritage museum, walking tour or museum of everyday life. New highlight in the region is the new viewing platform in Bolungarvík, Outstanding Bolafjall where you can enjoy panoramic views over towards Hornstrandir Nature reserve. For those who have a day or days to spare it is highly recommended to take a trip to the Nature reserve to experience nature and the beauty up close.

    Visit some of the nearby fishing villages like Flateyri in Önundafjörður, Suðureyri in Súgandafjörður, Þingeyri in Dýrafjörður, all small seaside village that were shaped and formed around the fishing and the sea.

     

    Experiences:
    Bolafjall
    Fjords of Ísafjarðardjúp
    Ósvör Maritime Museum
    Museum of Everyday life
    Westfjords Heritage Museum
    Naustahvilft
    Holtsfjara
    Gamla Bokabúðin
    Ingjaldssandur
    Fisherman's hut in Staðardalur

    Tours:
    Heydalur
    Ísafjörður Guide
    ATV Ísafjörður
    Borea Adventures
    West Tours
    Iceland Backcountry travel
    Sjóferðir
    Westfjords Safari

    Overnight Options:
    Hótel Ísafjörður
    Guesthouse Mánagata
    Gamla Guesthouse
    Gamla Bokabúðin
    Holt Inn

    Restaurant Options:
    Heydalur
    Logn
    Dokkan
    Edinborg Bistró
    Verbúðin Pub

    Driving Distance:
    55 kilometers

    Day 4. Dynjandi, Látrabjarg, Monsters and Red sand beaches 

     

    Travelling southbound, towards Þingeyri in Dýrafjörður, the setting of one of the old Icelandic Sagas Gísla saga Súrssonar (e. The Saga of Gisli the Outlaw). “The Westfjords Alps” are located just outside Þingeyri where you can find Svalvogar

    “scariest road in Iceland” as well has Kaldbakur (998 m) highest mountain of the peninsula.

    Continue the journey to one of the highlights of the day Dynjandi Waterfall, a spectacular 100-meter-tall waterfall. Hiking up towards the waterfall you will pass 5 other waterfalls, the hike takes approximately 15 minutes.

    After Dynjandi the course is set towards Bíldudalur located in Arnafjörður, but according to folktales Arnarfjörður is infested with sea monsters, to learn more about these creatures and sightings we recommend visiting the Icelandic Sea Monster Museum. As the journey continues heading through Tálknafjörður and Patreksfjörður make your way to visiting Látrabjarg the western most point of Iceland and one of Europe’s biggest bird cliff. Látrabjarg nature reserve is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Westfjords. While making your way to the cliffs make sure to stop by Garðar BA, Icelands’ oldest steal ship, that sits on dry land.

    Next stop on the journey is Rauðasandur beach, 10 km stretch of red sand beach a perfect place for a short walk-in unique tranquility. Heading back to Patreksfjörður for an overnight stay and if there is still extra time it is recommended to get wet in the local swimming pool, enjoying the spectacular views from the hot tub.

     

    Experiences:
    Dynjandi
    Látrabjarg
    Rauðasandur
    Garðar BA
    Víkingasvæði Þingeyri
    Sandafell
    Skrúður
    Foss í Fossfirði
    Ketildalir and Selardalur
    Geothermal pool Reykjarfjörður
    Arnarfjörður
    Dýrafjörður
    Svalvogar
    The Icelandic Sea Monster Museum
    Patreksfjörður Swimming pool

    Overnight Options:
    Fosshotel Westfjords
    Hótel West
    Harbour Inn Guesthouse

    Restaurant Options:
    Flak
    Stúkuhúsið
    Vestur Restaurant
    Vegamót

    Tours:
    Beffa Tours
    Westfjords Adventures

    Driving Distance:
    290 kilometers

    Day 5. Barðaströnd, Vatnsfjörður and Breiðafjörður

     

    Today you will be making your way back to Reykjavik, on your leisurely drive you will will be able to enjoy beautiful scenery of Breiðafjörður. Take some time to enjoy the sandy beaches of Barðaströnd, get wet while you take a dip in Hellulauggeothermal pool.

    Go for a stroll in Vatnsfjörður nature reserve and a historic site, the location where in the 9th century Hrafna Flóki took land and named the country Iceland.

    Finally driving back through Dalir region towards Reykjavík, though it is highly recommended that you spend your final night in Skarða- or Fellsströnd in the region

     

    Experiences:
    Breiðafjörður
    Hellulaug
    Flókalundur
    Vatnsfjörður
    Þingmannaá Waterfall
    Boat- and gift of nature exhibition Reykholar
    Grettislaug

    Overnight Options:
    Vogur Country Lodge
    Dalahótel

    Restaurant Options:
    Flak
    Stúkuhúsið
    Vestur Restaurant
    The Leif Eiriksson Center
    Vogur Country Lodge
    Dalahótel

    Driving Distance:

    395 kilometers