Detour to the West Fjords

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Baldur - Látrabjarg - Ísafjördur - Baldur
Duration:
5 days / 4 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 1,039.- per person (excluding flights)

Head off the beaten track on this trip to the West Fjords. A remote part of Iceland with a rugged landscape. You’ll find great cliffs rising from the sea, deep fjords, wide green valleys and wildlife everywhere. Here you can even come face to face with whales and wild puffins. You’ll sleep in two different guesthouses that boast amazing views over the surrounding fjords. During your time here, we’ll arrange your ferry tickets in advance, a and a boat trip to Vigur Island. Still undiscovered for many Iceland travellers, it's well worth the detour!

Day 1 – Arrive at the West Fjords

If you are you coming from the south then you will travel today by ferry from Badur to the West Fjords. During the crossing of the Breidafjordur fjord, you will pass more than 3,000 small islands and with a bit of luck you’ll spot seals, dolphins and even whales. What a beautiful start to your day! Should you be driving from the north, we’ll plan this trip the other way around and on the last day you travel by ferry to Badur. Driving along partly unpaved roads you’ll head to Patreksfjörður, your first stop in the southern part of the West Fjords. Check into your first hotel and with a hot cup of tea in hand, sit back and enjoy the fantastic view. In the evening, walk to the village and test out some of the local dishes in one of the restaurants.

Day 2 – Spotting puffins

After breakfast today it is time to explore the local area. An hour’s drive from your guesthouse is Látrabjarg promontory, the westernmost point of Europe known for its long, rugged cliffs that are home to nesting puffins. Spot wild puffins as they fly in and out – it’s a fantastic sight. The best time to spot them is between mid-May and late August. They are quite tame, so it shouldn’t be that hard to spot them and get them in front of your lens. There aren’t too many lunch spots here, so it is useful to take lunch with you.

Day 3 – Travel to Ísafjördur & fishermen food trail

It’s time to say goodbye to Látrabjarg this morning. You have a beautiful day of travel ahead of you, as you venture over to Ísafjördur. What should also certainly not be missing on your bucket list for today is Dynjandi (Fjallfoss); one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the West Fjords. The path to the waterfall runs through a rugged nature reserve and you walk along fast-flowing streams and some smaller waterfalls. The water of the Dynjandi flows gradually downwards. The top the waterfall is about 60 meters wide and at the bottom it’s 100 meters. So huge! From here it is an hour’s drive to your next hotel near Ísafjördur, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. Here, you’ll enjoy a food trail through a tiny fishermen village and have the freshest fish to try.

Day 4 – Calm water kayaking & free time

The next day together with an English-speaking guide and a small group of fellow adventurers you’ll head out onto a fjord and experience kayaking in the clear waters surrounded by incredible scenery. You’ll be able to spot some wildlife, watch the birds from the water and might meet a curious seal or two coming close to the kayaks.

You then have some free time to explore the area at your own pace. About half an hour’s drive from Ísafjördur is where you will find the Álftafjördur fjord. The road leading up to it boasts spectacular views and a little further on at Skötufjördur you can spot wild seals. At high tide they swim playfully around and at low tide they relax on the side. This fjord is one of the deepest in the Westfjords, so there is a good chance you will also see whales in the distance. Make sure you bring a packed lunch with you and find a bench with a view along the way. Prefer to view the cliffs from the water? Then book a kayak trip from Ísafjördur and explore the fjords. With a bit of luck, the seals will swim with you. Just let you travel specialist know to add this to your itinerary.

Day 5 – Departure from West Fjords

The time has come to leave the West Fjords and continue your road trip through Iceland. Coming from the north means you’ll head onto either Baldur, in Snaeffelsness. If you’re travelling from the south, you’ll be moving onto Hvammstangi to spot wild seals.