Best local experiences in The Westfjords

It's one thing to visit The Westjords, another to delve deep into the essence of this remote, but individualistic region. If it's the latter you wish to do, here are some tips on how you can experience the life of a local.

Hike every mountain

Hiking comes naturally to most Icelanders and the rugged Westjords region offers you every kind of climb imaginable - from the easy coastal walk to the truly challenging; with a variety of views of deep winding fjords, islands and towering mountains.

A local guide is definitely the best way to discover this truly unspoiled terrain. Apart from helping you find the right trail; you will get an insight into life in this remote part of Iceland and stories from the sagas

Each trail offers a distinct experience.
Popular day hikes around Isafjordur are the Kubbi mountain, Valagil, Oshlid and Kistufell. For something more off the beaten path, check the Folafotur peninsula and Galtarviti lighthouse. And if history's your scene, then the Haukadalur valley makes for the perfect setting with history from the Gisli saga. If the highest peaks are what you are aiming for then Kaldbakur, the Westfjords highest peak, takes the cake at 998m. Sauratindar is another one that should not be missed for the best views over Isafjordur bay, its islands and Snaefjallastrond.
Great multi-day hikes are amidst the desolate uninhabited landscape of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve and the rugged Svalvogar trail, which is also great for biking and an off-road super jeep tour.

We offer a variety of hiking tours - day and multi-day:
Day hikes: https://www.wildwestfjords.com/day_tours/categories/Hiking/
Multi-day hikes: https://www.wildwestfjords.com/multi-day_tours/
If you'd like easy self-guided hikes along your route, we recommend a road trip with a focus on hiking. Send us an email and we'll plan the right ones for you.

Eat local food

As is the case with any culture and country, discovering the local cuisine is an important part of getting to know the Westjords and Iceland.

Lamb and seafood dominate the menus, both in restaurants and homes.
A must-try dish would be Plokkfiskur, a delicious fish stew made of white fish, potatoes, milk and butter.
Kjötsúpa or lamb soup is another traditional preparation with free-range lamb, rutabagas, leeks, carrots and potatoes; although every kitchen has their own recipe.
Other popular snacks are hangikjöt (smoked lamb) served on a piece of traditional rye bread, the best harðfiskur (dried fish) and skyr, a special Icelandic dairy product.
The brave stomachs could try the infamous hakarl (fermented shark) washed down with brennivín (burning wine).

The Westfjords have Iceland's best fish restaurant and some most charming cafes. And a brand new microbrewery.
For more on the best places to eat, check Roll call of flavour: A taste of the Westfjords.
Our self-drive itineraries are tailored to individual interests and we'd love to take you on a culinary trail around the Westfjords or Iceland.

Take a dip in a hot spring

You are in the land of volcanoes and geysers with no way to have had a complete experience, without bathing in a hot spring.
Being the oldest part of Iceland, the Westfjords does not have as much geothermal energy as the rest of the country but it might be the only place where you could find a hot spring to enjoy just by yourself.

Check our article for some of the best natural hot springs: https://www.wildwestfjords.com/westfjords_insights/Secret_hot_springs/
Also check our Westfjords Water Trail road trip tailored around the hot pools.

Stay in a summer house

There may well be a hotel for every budget, but that's not where the locals stay on vacation. Most prefer to rent sumarbústadur, family-style cottages which usually have a hot tub as the star attraction (understandable in a country where the summers average at 15 degrees).

What takes the fun a few notches higher is that they are generally located in the midst of nature where you can enjoy hiking, birdwatching, fishing, kayaking and in the autumn look for the Northern Lights if conditions are favourable.

Don't take the name 'summer house' literally - some of these lovely little getaways are available on rent all through the year - just make sure you can drive there!

Go berry picking

In August and September, the mountainsides of the Westjords are abundant with delicious wild berries - blueberries, bilberries and crowberries.

Spend hours walking in the fields enjoying the landscape and picking berries. If you happen to be there during the weekend-long blueberry festival organised in Súðavík in August, there's plenty of music, food, fun and games to be found! From blueberry pie eating competitions to concerts and a fantastic bonfire, there's much to do!

For most of us, the peace of the Westfjords is something novel. Unlike the rest of the Iceland, which is becoming quite crowded with travellers; the Westfjords are off the Ring Road, get less tourist traffic and are often referred to as Iceland's best kept secret.

So go ahead and do it like the locals do: make the most of the quiet: revel in it, paint a picture, write a poem, listen to music as well as to Nature. She's sure trying to tell you something!