4 days in the Westfjords, footsteps of Rúrik Gíslason
Day 1
Arrival morning from Reykjavík to Ísafjörður airport with Icelandair
Naustahvilft
Litlibær
Horseback riding in Heydalur
Accommodation Heydalur
Naustahvilft or the Troll seat is a hike located just by the airport but offers great view over Ísafjörður town and the surrounding area. The hike is a short climb with roundtrip which is roughly 2,3 km. in length with an elevation gain of 200 meters.
Heading your way south towards Heydalur you can enjoy the scenic drive in and out of the fjords located in Ísafjarðadjúp. Hvítanes in Skötufjörður is a known seal colony where numbers of harbor seals can be found relaxing on the rocks just meters from shore.
Across the road from the seal colony is Litlibær (e. small farm) an old farmhouse from 1895. The house made from, stone, wood and turf is only 29 square meters. Þjóðminjasafnið (e. The National museum) is the primary custodian of the farm. Over the summer months there is a small café operated inside Litlibær.
Heydalur 130 km. from Ísafjörður, is a hotel located in the valley of Heydalur. Not only offering accommodation but recreation like horse riding, kayaking, hot springs and of course their amazing thermal pool located inside a greenhouse, the perfect place for a swing and a soak.
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Day 2
Hörgshlíðarlaug
Lunch Tjöruhúsið
Rib boat, Whale watching and Vigur Island with Westfjords Safari
Dinner Við Pollinn at Hótel Ísafjörður
Accommodation Hótel Ísafjörður Book your stay
“Edge of Iceland” Bolafjall viewing platform
What better way to start your day but with a soak in one of thermal hot tubs in the Westfjords before travelling back to Ísafjörður, Hörgshlíðarlaug is a pool located in Mjóifjörður not far from Heydalur.
Lunch in Ísafjörður Tjöruhúsið a family run restaurant that offers not just great food but an overall great food experience. The house itself built in the year 1781 has a great old-time vibe, the staff an enthusiastic spirit and the fish buffet, made with freshly caught fish only few kilometers away, is a wondrous journey for the taste buds.
Westfjords safari offers rib boat tours from Ísafjörður harbor. The high-speed boat ride is thrilling and offers the opportunity to get up close with the gentle beasts of the ocean. It is most common to see some humpback whales on the tour.
From the boat ride you can also visit the historic site of Vigur Island, fragile wildlife sanctuary and an eider colony. It is one of the best opportunities in the Westfjords to get close to puffins. See some of the historic artifacts like the windmill from 1860 as well as the oldest boat in Iceland Vigur Breiður built in the 1800 and used for 200 years to move sheep between mainland and the island. As well as enjoy the traditional Hjónabandssæla (e. marital bliss cake)
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At the top of Bolafjall mountain you can experience being at the “Edge of Iceland” a new destination in the Westfjords. Viewing platform with breathtaking views over Jökulfirðir and parts of Hornstrandir nature reserves. This is a must location to watch the sun set as well as the sunrise which might be only few minutes apart or during summer.
Day 3
Ósvör Maritime Museum
Kayaking with Borea Adventures
Brewing tour and dinner Dokkan
Accommodation Hótel Ísafjörður Book your stay
Ósvör maritime museum in Bolungarvík is a trip back in time, getting to know the heritage of the people of Westfjords that relied on the sea to survive. Bolungarvik a fishing village located right next to one of the most generous food chests in the world, which has been utilized from the time of the first settlers.
Borea Adventures offers sea kayaking tours from Ísafjörður, Borea Adventures is an adventure tourism company that caters to the nature lover as well as the thrill seeker. Sea kayaking is one of great ways to explore the fjords in the peninsula.
What better way to quench your thirst after an adventure on the sea then to visit the local craft brewery in Ísafjörður, Dokkan is the first brewery in the Westfjords offering brewing tours, delicious tasting beers as well as fish and chips. You can buy beer tasting platters to try some of the selection. A must taste is Djúpið a red ale with seaweed.
Day 4
Lunch pack Heimabyggð
Dynjandi waterfall
Trail biking Svalvogavegur with Borea adventures
Fly back from Ísafjörður to Reykjavík with Icelandair
Dynjandi a 100-meter-tall waterfall is in Dýrafjörður just 40 minutes’ drive from Ísafjörður, this towering waterfall is called Dynjandi which could be translated to thundering. It is one of Westfjords most known landmarks. To get to it there is an easy hike up a path passed 7 other waterfalls that are impressive as well but pale in comparison with the magnificent Dynjandi.
Svalvogavegur has been labeled "the most dangerous road in Iceland" or "the Iceland’s scariest road" It is only accessible by 4x4 jeeps, and you need to keep in mind the tidal schedule since part of the road goes under sea level during high tide. The reality is this is one of the most scenic and dramatic roads in Iceland and an amazing mountain biking trail. Borea adventures has a bike rental and offers mountain biking tours in the Westfjords.
Conclusion
If you are looking to immerse yourself into nature and get away from it all, then the Westfjords is definitely worth a visit. It’s a region with beautiful scenery, diverse landscapes and activities that no one can resist. If you want adventure, then this is your place!