Natural Highlights

Valagil is a spectacular ravine, complete with mighty waterfall and made from layers upon layers of ancient lava. You will find Valagil at the landward end of Álftafjörður, not too far from Súðavík. There is a marked footpath to the ravine from the road. Some say the ravine is named after the falcons (valur is Icelandic for falcon) which reported used to nest there. Other people say it is named after a woman called Vala who is said to have fallen to her death in the gully centuries ago.

From the mountan Klofningur is a panoramic view over Breidafjordur Bay, Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Bardaströnd. Viewing dial.

It is possible to hike up the mountain from the farm Stakkaberg.

One of Europes biggest bird cliffs, a home to birds in unfathomable numbers. This westernmost point of Iceland is really a line of several cliffs, 14 kilometres long and up to 441 m high. And it's as steep as it gets, dizzyingly so. Safe from foxes, the birds are fearless, and provide stunning photographic opportunities from close range. The puffins are the ones frequenting the grassy, higher part of the cliffs.

But look out, the edges are fragile and loose and the fall is high. Látrabjarg is thus deservedly the most visited tourist attraction in the Westfjords. The cliffs are easily accessible by car and when you're there, a walk along the cliffs awaits. The whirling sensation will not fade, and neither will the memories.

The most popular visiting point in Bolungarvík is the viewing platform on top of Bolafjall Mountain. The place offers a staggering view over Ísafjarðardjúp, Jökulfirðir and some people say all the way to Greenland. To get to Outstanding Bolafjall you have to drive up the road from Bolungarvík up to the radat sation situated at the summit of Bolafjall. The station was built by the Americans but is now controlled by the Icelandic coast guard. Following a visit to Bolafjall, or perhaps even before ascending, we highly recommend taking a coffee break and enjoying a leisurely stroll along the black sand beach in Skálavík.

Please note that access to the mountain road is contingent upon favorable conditions. Typically, the road is open from mid-June until mid-September.

Breiðafjörður is the second biggest fjord in Iceland as it stretches 70 km where it is widest. Where the fjord gets more shallow there are almost uncountable number of islands but if we would have to guess a number, they would be around 2800. Many of those islands were inhabited few decades ago but now almost all are uninhabited.

Flatey is the one exception. Flatey is the biggest of the islands in Breiðafjörður. It also is the only island in Breiðafjörður where inhabitants live the whole year round. The inhabitants count as many as 6 persons but during summertime the population multiplies. Many of the other islands in Breiðafjörður used to be inhabited not so long ago like Hvallátur, Svefneyjar and Akureyjar. All the islands have one thing in common. They are all made by the force of glaciers in the ice age. The islands are mostly flat and the geological layers are similar to the ones on the Westfjords. In most of the islands there are many plants and the birdlife is diverse with puffin, eider and black guillemot being the kings of the fjord along with the White-tailed-Eagle. The history tells us that the people that lived in Breiðafjörður never had to deal with shortage of food because of the plentyful gifts of nature such as birds, fish and shells. When there were bad conditions and food shortage was common in Iceland, people fled to Breiðafjörður bay where there was plenty of food for everyone.

In the Patreksfjörður fjord, you'll find a charming waterfall nestled in a picturesque setting. As you drive on road 62 towards Patreksfjörður, take a right turn about five minutes after passing the Kleifakarl monument. The turn leads onto a small gravel road, so proceed with caution. Follow this road, and you'll reach the waterfall within a few minutes. Although it may not appear powerful at first glance, the waterfall is indeed strong, It's essential to practice maximum safety around the waterfall.

Please note that there are no designated parking areas or infrastructure, so ensure you respect the environment and take all your litter with you.

Fossfjörður is one of the the offshoot fjords of Arnarfjörður. It is the westernmost of the so called "Suðurfirðir", the Southern Fjords. In Fossfjörður, there is a farm named Foss and a waterfall with the same name-Foss, which means "waterfall." So, in Waterfall Fjord, you'll find a farm called "Waterfall" as well as a waterfall named "Waterfall." Confusing?

Maybe a little. In Fossfjörður you will also stumble up on the so called A-house, wich has been a popular pitstop among travellers and photographers. This abandoned house is unique for its shape and location.

Near to Steingrímsfjörður and the village of Hólmavík, you find Bjarnarfjörður fjord, on Route 643, in the municipality of Kaldraneshreppur.

Not many people live nearby, but four things mark this small fjord out as special: first the Gvendarlaug hot pool, the water in which was blessed by Bishop Guðmundur Góði Arason in the 1200s - today it is a protected national monuement. Second is the excellent Arctic char fishing in Bjarnarfjarðará river. Thirdly is Hótel Laugarhóll, a modern and comfortable country hotel with a swimming pool, a restaurant and a museum on site. And finally Bjarnarfjörður is home to the Sorcerer's Cottage, an offshoot of Hólmavík's famous Museum of Witchcraft and Sorcery.

The hot natural pools in Drangsnes are right along the shoreline in the middle of the village, easily spotted from the road.

The pots are used throughout the year by locals and visitors. Even after a new swimming pool was built in town the attraction of the hot natural pot has yet to decrease.

The best way to meet the local and talk about everything and nothing is in the hot pots in Drangsnes.

Admission: free donations.

Simply enthralling; The Westfjords' favourite front-page model for decades, and is never short of breathtaking. The biggest and widest part of the waterfall is the one that gets all the attention and the photos, even though there are impressive, albeit smaller, waterfalls further down the river. The waterfall and its surroundings were protected as a natural monument in 1981, as it is a unique natural gem.

Dynjandi cascades down approximately 100 meters. The waterfall steps are formed due to the stratification of the rock into lava layers and looser intermediate layers. The lava layers create the steps, while the river has carved out the intermediate layers. There are six waterfalls in Dynjandi. At the top is Fjallfoss, followed by Hundafoss, Strokkur, Göngumannafoss, Hrísvaðsfoss, and Sjóarfoss.

To appreciate the scenery, park your car in the designated lot and walk for 15 minutes to reach the largest part of the waterfall. Take in the stunning view and the refreshing air.

Rauðasandur (Red Sand) is precisely that: a beach with endless red sand. Well, not endless but 10 km is a lot.The striking tones of the sand shift with the light and weather, making each visit a unique experience. The beach is the biggest pearl in a string of coves with sand ranging in colours from white through yellow through red to black, and in coarseness from very fine to sharp seashells. It's a haven for seabirds and seals, offering unparalleled tranquility. You might want to step out of the car, get the camera out and start walking on the seemingly endless beach.

If you prefer not to walk, you can relax with a cup of coffee at the French café and admire the stunning view, with the majestic Snæfellsjökull glacier on the Sæfellsnes peninsula captivating your gaze in the distance.

Svalvogar is a 49-kilometre circular route between the fjords of Dýrafjörður and Arnarfjörður. It usually starts and finishes in Þingeyri and takes the narrow exposed coastal track around the headland (not to be attempted at high tide) and comes back along the Kaldbakur route, past the Westfjords' tallest mountain in the so-called Westfjords Alps. Sometimes called the Dream Road, Svalvogar is among the most beautiful routes in the country. It is not suitable for small cars and is best enjoyed by mountain bike. Be prepared for a workout, or consider taking a 4x4 vehicle.

If passengers are afraid of heights, it's recommended to begin the route from Arnarfjörður and drive towards Dýrafjörður. This way, when passing another car, yours will be on the right side of the road, which is less intimidating than driving alongside the sea.

Arnarfjordur, 5-10 kilometres wide and 30 kilometres long, is bordered by Slettanes to the north and Kopanes to the south. At its head, it forks at the Langanes promontory to form Suðurfirðir to the south and Borgarfjordur and Dynjandisvogur to the north. The bay of Dynjandisvogur is known for the waterfall Dynjandi, which plummets over the edge of the cliff. Measuring 30 meters wide at the top and 60 meters at the bottom, Dynjandi is about 100 meters high, the most impressive waterfall in the Westfjords and one of the most beautiful in all of Iceland. Below it, a series of waterfalls cascade. Arnarfjordur is one of the most beautiful fjords in the Westfjords because of its diverse landscape, magnificent mountains and the natural masterpieces of Ketildalir and the Dynjandi waterfall.

Auður djúpúðga ( Auður the Deep minded) was one of the settlers in Dalir. She was a Christian and had a cross raised at Krosshólaborg, where she went to pray. Her descentants considered Krosshólaborg a holy place. Women in Dalir set up a memorial of Auður, a stone cross in 1965. The remains of Auður´s first farm, Auðartóftir, are nearby.

Takes its name "Breakfast Ness" from the fact that Auður the Deep-minded, one of the first settlers, stopped to rest there one morning while searching for a place to make her home.

There is a little church at Dagverdarnes dates from 1934.