The capital of the western fjords! This guide will provide meticulous details on hikes, food, stays and adventures! If you like to be prepared, read up!
DINK Details
Deets: - Population around 3k - Big destination for the University Centre of the Westfjords | Getting Here - Car (roads are paved) - Flights from Reykjavik - Cruise (not our style) |
Plan Ahead: - Dress warm, high of 50 fahrenheit¹ - Bring a poncho | Area Highlights: - Book excursions to Hornstrandir - Dine at Tjöruhúsið |
1. In the summer session
The sun rises twice with this many mountains
Why Ísafjörður?
This far north town is incredibly gorgeous with wonderful people and so much to do! There is hiking all over, great pools, and my favorite restaurant in the world!
The Hikes
There is a whole system of hikes around the Western Fjords and here you will find more than enough details depending on your comfort level. Each hike will provide trailhead instructions, scary parts, and some have a full 360 tour!
Around Ísafjörður
If you are staying in Ísafjörður, here are the hikes you can start in town. They are in order of difficulty:
An old highway that connects Ísafjörður to Bolungarvik that's closed down and slowly degrading. For now its great for walking and biking! Just be careful of falling rocks
Troll Seat
The big indent in the fjord, seen from any part in town. This is a short 30 minute straight up with a spectacular view in the end. Nothing scary or dangerous, just a bit or work. Remember to sign the guest book!
The simplest hike without a trail. You start in the woods with a waterfall, walk through the ski area, reach an old highway and loop back into town.
A loop around the back of Ísafjörður. This trail takes you around many lakes and water facilities in the middle of nowhere. Very surreal hike.
Get a great view of the entire area. Follow a glacial river, scramble from one fjord to another and visit two towns!
Around Bolungarvik
A great town to visit and many hikes as well. You can also start the The Abandoned Highway from here as well. Here are some hikes that start or end here too.
Bolafjall Radar Station
The main attraction for the views in the area. A road that you can walk up or drive takes you to a NATO radar station with a brand new outlook built in 2022.
This loops around the mountains in Bolungarvik. It has a steep saddle to cross but not as bad as Ísafjörður To Hnifsdalur. For the active hiker, Bolafjall Rader station and Skálavík are right off the trail.
This hike starts in the fjord by Suðureyri. Its an intense climb up but very beautiful. It ends in Bolungarvik and has a cave if you like those.
Hornstrandir
Single or multi-day trips to a Nature Reserve with bucket list views. This will get its own article one day. Coming soon!
Sips & Bites
Coming Soon!
Stays
Coming Soon!