Is Westfjords Region Worth a Trip?
Yes, the Westfjords region is absolutely worth a trip
! There is so much to see here: vast landscapes, beautiful fjords, stunning waterfalls, quirky villages, hot pools, endless beaches, puffins, and more sheep than people. This remote part of Iceland is a true hidden gem.
Do you need a 4×4 in the Westfjords of Iceland?
For the most part,
you don’t necessarily need a 4×4 to travel through the Westfjords
. The roads are rough in a lot of the areas, but there’s only one F-Road that is off limits to regular vehicles. Campsites are regular and well-equipped, offering gorgeous views over the mountains and fjords.
How long does it take to drive from Reykjavik to Westfjords?
On a recent trip, the drive from Reykjavik to Gilsfjordur, the narrow fjord that separates the Westfjords from the mainland, took
around five hours
.
How do I get from Reykjavik to Westfjords?
While renting a car to travel from Reykjavik to the Westfjords is the most popular option, joining a multi-day tour is possible as well.
Taking Ring Road (Route 1) north, you’ll take Route 60 towards the Westfjords
. Easy detours can be made to hike Glymur Falls or Hraunfossar and Barnafoss.
Can you drive to the Westfjords?
Driving the Westfjords is not particularly easy
. It is true, if not the definition of a long a winding road. You are always and almost all of the time driving in, over or out a fjord. Very often up to a mountain pass and down to a coast.
Is road 60 in Iceland paved?
Vestfjarðavegur or the Road 60 is a
mostly hard surfaced
road which leads from the ring road all the way to the towns of Patreksfjörður, Talknafjörður and Bíldudalur (although technically they are all on the roads 62/63) There is a short gravel section around the Djúpidalur region and then a large unpaved and quite …
Does Iceland require AWD?
If you plan on exploring the Highlands, you absolutely need a 4-wheel drive in Iceland
. If you’re just going to make your way around the Ring Road, you don’t. And if you’re coming between the winter months of November to March, I would recommend a 4WD vehicle.
Is a 4×4 worth it in Iceland?
During Winter – A 4×4 is 100% recommended
. If you intend on staying in Reykjavik then renting a small car is fine. However, if you are heading out of the city then avoid renting a smaller car as they do not handle Iceland’s tough conditions during the winter months.
Is it worth getting a 4×4 in Iceland?
The Weather
Sturdy 4x4s can handle the conditions better than most cars, making you feel safe in most conditions that mother nature can throw at you whilst in Iceland. Equipped with studded tires for the darker winter months,
4×4 campers are a good option year-round
.
Where is the Golden Circle in Iceland?
The Golden Circle is situated in
southwest Iceland from the Reykjavik
. The first closest stop during the Golden Circle is Þingvellir National Park situated 48 kilometers from Reykjavik, then it is Geysir Geothermal area, and last from Reykjavik is Gullfoss waterfall which is approximately 125 kilometers away.
Where are the Highlands in Iceland?
The highlands are located
in the centre of Iceland
. You can reach them from the south, north, east and west of the country, as they take up so much of Iceland’s landmass. That said, it isn’t straightforward to drive through the highlands.
Does Iceland have fjords?
Most of the 109 fjords of Iceland are clustered in a small area in the east or around the large peninsula in the northwestern part of the island
. There are just a handful of fjords along the northern coast. Among them is Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord.
What is the most populous town in the Westfjords?
Ísafjörður
is the largest town in the Westfjords in Iceland, with a population of almost 3000 people.
Are puffins in Iceland?
With 8 to 10 million puffins inhabiting the island, Iceland is home to more than 60% of the world’s entire Atlantic puffin population
. With a large part of this population walking almost hand in wing with humans during the summer season, it is definitely something Icelanders are proud of.
How is Iceland divided?
Statistically, Iceland is usually divided into
8 regions: Capital Region, Southern Peninsula, West, Westfjords, Northwest, Northeast, East and South
. These divisions are intended to assist with planning a holiday in Iceland, and are therefore primarily geographical, rather than administrative.
How do I get to the Westfjords in Iceland?
Getting To Iceland’s Westfjords
You can
take the ferry from the Snaefellsnes Peninsula to the southern Westfjords
. The ferry from Snaefellsnes Peninsula takes around 2.5 hours and costs around $45 per person, not including your car.
How do I get to Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in Iceland?
To get to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, you will first need to reach Ísafjörður in the Westfjords. To get there, you can either choose to
rent a car from Reykjavík or Keflavík airport or to book a ticket and take the plane
!
Where are puffins in Iceland?
Yes, it is possible to see puffins
along Iceland’s South Coast, including at Dyrhólaey, Ingólfshöfði, and on the Westman Islands
. The Westman Islands is home to the largest colony of puffins in Iceland, and they can be seen along the cliffs, cliff tops, and by boat.
Which roads in Iceland are paved?
Highway no. 1, commonly known as the Ring Road or Route 1
, is the most traveled road around Iceland. All 1322 kilometers of the Ring Road are paved and open throughout the year, although bad weather conditions during winter can cause temporary and local closures.
Is an SUV necessary in Iceland?
A 4WD is mandatory for the Highland roads in Iceland
Most of the roads in the Icelandic Highland are challenging and rough gravel roads often with many rivers to cross. No one should enter a Highland Road in a small car or a midsize car or a car that doesn’t have a 4WD.
Do you need f roads in Iceland?
F-roads in Iceland are often narrow gravel roads and are only accessible via jeeps.
4×4 jeeps are required to travel on the F-roads
. Although not marked as F-road, a 4×4 jeep is also required to drive Kjalvegur (Kjölur).
What side of the road do you drive Iceland?
In Iceland people drive on the
right hand side
of the road.
What are Highland F-roads in Iceland?
Quite simply, the F-roads are mountain or highland roads, so these are
the roads that mainly are heading to the interior part of the country
. These roads are not your average roads, but more like extremely rocky, full of potholes, muddy, incredibly steep roads. Some of them you even have to cross rivers.
Do I really need 4WD?
Generally,
4WD and AWD are only necessary if you live in a climate where it snows and rains a lot
. If you drive on dirt roads that are frequently muddy, they can provide more confidence when it matters most.
What cars are sold in Iceland?
The most sold vehicle this year is the
Toyota Rav4
(+17.7%) with 624 units sold, followed by the Hyundai Tucson registering 533 new sales this year (+294.8%). The Tesla Model Y closes the podium and reports 532 new units sold.
