West Iceland
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West Iceland
Nally
When you head north from Reykjavík, it doesn't take long to leave the Capital Region and enter West Iceland. The city immediately feels very far away. This area is home to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Snæfellsjökull National Park. It's filled with sleeping volcanoes, receding glaciers, thundering waterfalls, lupine-covered valleys, small fishing villages, black churches, and isolated lighthouses. There's a lot to see within relatively short driving distances. It's a good place to start your real Icelandic adventure.
This detailed guide includes:
Places: cities, peninsulas, towns
Stay: hotels
Eat: cafés, coffee shops, food trucks
Do: beaches, bridges, churches, fjords, horseback riding, lagoons, lighthouses, national parks, natural wonders, rocks, sculptures, shipwrecks, viewpoints, waterfalls
Transportation: ferries
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West Iceland
Western Region
@nally
When you head north from Reykjavík, it doesn't take long to leave the Capital Region and enter the West. The city immediately feels very far away. This region is home to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Snæfellsjökull National Park. It's filled with sleeping volcanoes, receding glaciers, thundering waterfalls, lupine-covered valleys, small fishing villages, isolated lighthouses, and black churches. There's a lot to see within relatively short driving distances. It's a good place to start your real Icelandic adventure.
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Hvalfjörður
@nally
The border between the Capital Region and West Iceland is Hvalfjörður. The whale fjord is nineteen miles long and three miles at its widest point. During World War II, the American and British navies had a naval base here. Its pier is still used by the country's only remaining whaling station. Route 1 commuters had to drive an hour around the fjord until the Hvalfjörður Tunnel was completed in 1998. Most people now bypass the fjord, but historic sites, hot springs, waterfalls, and small hotels make the slower drive worth it if you have some extra time.
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Hraunfossar
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Hraunfossar (Lava Falls) is a series of waterfalls that flows out of Hallmundarhraun, a lava field near Langjökull (Iceland's second-largest glacier). Its crystal-clear water continues down the Hvítá river before dropping into Gullfoss. There are paths, hidden caves, and a viewing platform around the waterfalls. Another waterfall, Barnafoss, is within walking distance (just a half-mile loop) while you're here. Plus there's a café for lunch and warm beverages.
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Barnafoss
@nally
Barnafoss (Children’s Falls) is a rapid along the Hvítá river. Unlike nearby Hraunfossar, a series of peaceful waterfalls, Barnafoss is twisty and foamy with a dark folklore--in which two children fell off a bridge and into the water--behind it. A short trail, only a half mile, connects the two waterfalls.
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Hraunfossar Restaurant - Cafe
@nally
Given how remote Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are, it's a relief to find the family-run Hraunfossar Restaurant - Cafe right near the waterfalls. The wooden building has large windows and a big deck with outdoor seating for nice days. They serve a lunch buffet, burgers, delicious soups, and homemade desserts. Hot and cold drinks, as well as ice cream, can be taken to go. There's a small souvenir shop and bathrooms, as well. Plus the people working here are super friendly and helpful. Daily 10-6.
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Borgarnes
Borgarnes
@nally
Borgarnes, about an hour north of Reykjavík, sits on a peninsula that juts into Borgarfjörður. You cross Borgarfjarðarbrú, the country's second-longest bridge, to reach the small town. Borgarnes is famous for its birch trees, the oldest and tallest in Iceland. It's home to a couple of museums, a famous Viking grave, and a handful of farms, as well. It's also where you have to make an important decision. Do you stay on Route 1 and drive north? Or do you head west toward the Snæfellsnes peninsula and Snæfellsjökull National Park? Luckily, there are no wrong answers.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nally
Big destinations. Little details.
I travel—a lot. I’m always taking notes, organizing quick getaways, plotting big holidays, and dreaming. I’ve been to six continents (I’ll get to Antarctica eventually), nearly 40 countries, and too many cities and islands to count.
Tons of planning, way more than is actually necessary, goes into each adventure. Your trips can benefit from my little addiction.
No two people are exactly alike. No two vacations should be the same either. These guides are designed to help you follow your passions, satisfy your cravings, and spark new whims. Think of them as starting points as you create your own exciting itineraries.
What's included
Digital Map
Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby
34 places
34 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
1 link
1 link from the creator to go even deeper with more info
DESTINATION(S) COVERED
West, Iceland
Iceland
Europe
Snæfellsnes, Iceland
Borgarnes, Iceland
Arnarstapi, Iceland
Búðir, Iceland
Stykkishólmur, Iceland
FOCUSES AND THEMES
Adventure
Boutique
Outdoors
Relaxation
Road Trip
Format
Guide
Guides typically include detailed information and how-to’s about a destination as well as suggested places to try.
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