ICELAND TRAVEL | Westfjords - Most underrated in Iceland?

Iceland’s west coast and westfjords might be the most underrated in Iceland! Check out our cinematic Iceland, west coast travel film to see what kind of magic you will find in the westfjords.

The first section of road from Reykjavik up to the west fjords leaves a bit to be desired but the rewards are epic. There are a couple things to note though about the west coast. Like the south you will need to get off the Ring Road to see some of the most popular sights, and much further off the Ring Road than in the South. For example, if you want to see Galdalf’s Hat (Kirkjufellsfoss (waterfall) with Kirkjufell Mountain background), you will need to make a detour of about an hour and a half. So that being said to really take in the west you will need some time and some patience.

Here is our Top 10 for West Iceland and the West Fjords:
Galdalf’s Hat (Kirkjufellsfoss (waterfall) with Kirkjufell Mountain background): One of the most iconic images you will see in Iceland is the perspective view of Kirkjufell mountain. You won’t even see it until you are just about to the photo spot, and the slim peak will finally come into view. It’s a short walk from the parking area off highway 54. If you’re lucky, you may even get a chance to get this picture with an Aurora borealis backdrop! EPIC!

Dynjandi (Fjallfoss): Dynjandi in the Wesfjords is a waterfall enthusiasts dream. This one of a kind cascading waterfall reaches 100 meters (324ft) in height and is complemented by over 10 smaller waterfalls that eventually lead into the sea. Rumor has it that you can actually go behind this waterfall in the right conditions but extreme caution MUST be taken. The space, we have heard, is quite tight.

Rauðasandur Beach (Red Sand Beach): Sunsets in the West Fjords are all incredible but from Raudasandur beach they become Epic. The already slightly pink hue of the sand turns bright red and is surrounded by orange glazed cliffs. The laterbjarg cliffs are famous in themselves for some of the best bird watching in Iceland.

Hornstrandir nature reserve: Hornstrandir is one of the most remote places along the coast of Iceland. As a result it is one of the best places to see some of the rarest flora and fauna as well as wildlife that roam the coastal highlands.
The Fjords: We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the actual fjords in our top ten. The dramatic and barren landscapes, complemented by deep marble blue waters come to life during dusk and into sunset. The fjords themselves are also home to many of Icelands whales and seals. Keep your eyes peeled!

Latrabjarg Cliffs: This stretch of roughly 8 miles of cliffs is perfect for you fellow drone fanatics and photographers. The cliffs protrude out of the water to over 1400 ft in some places. Again, this is an extremely popular spot to do bird watching including puffins!

Snæfellsnes Peninsula: The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is a region in western Iceland known for its dramatic landscapes. At its western tip, Snæfellsjökull National Park is dominated by Snæfellsjökull Volcano, which is topped by a glacier. Nearby, a trail leads through lava fields to black-pebble Djúpalónssandur Beach.

Landbrotalaug Hot Pot: We visited over 10 different geothermal pools in Iceland and this was right at the top of the list for us. The pool is only big enough for two or three people which makes for a perfect romantic experience with your partner and one of natures most desirable swimming pools. The downside is that during the day there is usually a line of people waiting for their turn to experience Landbrotalaung. So keep track of where you are in line, try not to interrupt others private experience too much and for god sakes, limit your time int he pool to 20 minuets if there are people waiting. Don’t be that guy.

Garðar BA 64: This is the oldest ship in Iceland and has been beached for nearly 28 years after 69 years of service as a whaling ship, WWII vessile and finally a fishing boat. The rusty masterpiece is just off the coast and when the tide is right, becomes surrounded by a mirror like pool that can create some incredible reflection photography.

Hvalfjörður: The first of the fjords you will get to visit on your way up the south is Hvalfjordur. Glymur waterfall is probably the most well know tourist sight in the fjord but the whole area is a landscape lovers dream. It is one of the more controversial areas in Iceland as it has a long history of whaling and was one of the highest producing whaling operations in all of Iceland.

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