On the third day I woke up in charming Súðavík. The campsite was very well kept, with good facilities. I met many Icelanders. It seems the Westfjords are a popular destination for people who live on the island. The weather was so beautiful that I ate breakfast at my folding table. I only saw clouds later on the way, and the rain came only when I reached the west coast of the fjords.
The Westfjords are not big, really, but driving around all the fjords that cut deep into the land makes the trip feel endless. Luckily, the views are beautiful. Going around the inlet where Súðavík sits, I saw whales there - an unforgettable moment. I couldn't stop the car on the narrow road, but I still had time to look :)
I didn’t check for any extra sights. Still, on my way to Norðurfjörður, I noticed a seal colony from the road. I pulled into a nearby parking lot and took the photos later on my walk.
Some of the seals were resting in funny positions - curled up like bananas or shrimp. And they looked as if they were smiling. So cute!
I also took a short walk along the shore, looking at the other side of the fjord. Somewhere beyond those snowy hills lies the wild nature reserve of Hornstrandir.
After going around three more fjords, I drove into the town of Hólmavík, where I topped up the engine oil to my relief.
Then the last, wildest stage of the trip began. The hills, until now mostly flat, became sharp and jagged. I left the comfortable paved road for a narrow gravel track that winds along the coast. This kind of travel gives me the most satisfaction. I love raw landscapes and demanding conditions. It felt a bit like my corner on Snæfellsnes.
I reached Norðurfjörður around 7 pm, where I met my colleague from work. We ate dinner together and thought about the plan. We still had at least 3-4 hours of daylight - a lot, but not enough for a longer trip.
We wandered for a while around the tiny settlement, where everything is in one place: a small harbor, a shop that is the center of social life, a café... The funny thing was that wherever we went, we stayed longer, because here everyone knows everyone, and there is no way to get out of a chat.
The atmosphere of this place is simply unusual. It really is at the end of the world. The road does not go much farther. After that there is roadless land with the Hornstrandir reserve. I had heard a lot about this area from the friend I came to visit. She worked and lived here for a few years, then moved to Snæfellsnes.
In the end we decided to go to the local pool - Krossneslaug. I had heard a lot about it, so I really wanted to see it. The weather turned more “moody” - it was cloudy and it started to rain a bit. But in Iceland that is no obstacle to outdoor activities.
Besides, the water in the pool was hot! Fortunately, the ocean is right there, so you can cool down :)
After such a wonderful rest I drove to the campsite. The fourth and last day of my trip was ahead. I had arranged a small outing with my friend to look around a bit. Even that evening I was a little sorry that I had not reached this part of the Westfjords earlier. That feeling grew stronger the following day, after a few hours of exploring the area. I’ll write more about it next time. See you soon!
Icelandic stories:
A year of transition - small trips and moving to Iceland
Where my home is - "Iceland in miniature"
Winter at my place - not as scary as they said
Chasing spring in Grundarfjörður
Wolf Beans: purple beauty or invasive species? A trip to Ingjaldshóll
Welcome to Mars: Kerlingarfjöll Mountains
Katla's tongue – Sólheimajökull Glacier
In the shadow of the glacier: the stunning Þakgil campsite
Moss and ice: the road east
Basalt and turquoise: Stuðlagil Canyon, East Iceland
Cracked earth - driving to Stykkishólmur
Off the beaten path: Hafrahvammagljúfur Canyon and the hot spring shower
The road to Mývatn: through rain and wilderness
Around Lake Mývatn (1) - Víti Crater and the Hverir geothermal field
Around Lake Mývatn (2) - the monochrome world of Hverfjall
Around Lake Mývatn (3) - Leirhnjúkur: a walk on warm ground
On the way home - Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods
North Iceland - a small harbor and a basalt coast: Hauganes and Kálfshamarsvík
West Iceland - two unusual waterfalls framed in autumn gold
Beyond the postcard - a summer evening at Búðir and Arnarstapi
Around the Westfjords (1) - first impressions
Around the Westfjords (2) - Dynjandi Waterfall