Westfjords Slow Travel Loop
Loop around the Westfjords to see bird cliffs, red sand beaches, and waterfalls, then take the Baldur ferry back to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
This is the least crowded region in Iceland, with slow mountain roads and limited accommodation, so plenty of time is budgeted for each leg. Stay three consecutive nights in Ísafjörður to arrange boat trips and visit fishing villages. Head south to see Dynjandi waterfall and the Látrabjarg bird cliffs, and finally cross Breiðafjörður by ferry. This route excludes the Ring Road (Route 1) and is perfect for repeat visitors who love hiking and bird watching.
Best from June to August; puffins come ashore in summer. Check road.is before mountain roads open.
Day by day
Day 1 · North to Strandir
Borgarfjörður & Húsafell（Grábrók Crater、Glanni Waterfall & Paradísarlaut） → Hólmavík
Drive from Reykjavík along Route 1, then turn onto Routes 60 and 61 to Hólmavík, about 270 km (3.5 hours).
Stay: Hólmavík
Day 2 · Winding Fjords to Ísafjörður
Westfjords (Ísafjörður)（Litlibær、Arctic Fox Centre、Ísafjörður Old Town）
Follow Route 61 around the various branches of Ísafjarðardjúp, about 225 km (3 hours), with multiple stops along the way.
Stay: Ísafjörður
Day 3 · Hornstrandir Boat Trip
Westfjords (Ísafjörður)（Hornstrandir Nature Reserve、Hesteyri）
Take a round-trip boat from Ísafjörður harbor to the nature reserve. The full-day excursion takes about 8 to 10 hours, including hiking.
This is a wilderness area with no mobile signal or supplies; bring your own food and keep an eye on the return boat schedule.
Stay: Ísafjörður
Day 4 · Fishing Villages & Bolafjall Lookout
Westfjords (Ísafjörður)（Ósvör Maritime Museum、Bolafjall Viewing Platform、Suðureyri、Flateyri）
Take day trips from Ísafjörður to Bolungarvík, Suðureyri, and Flateyri, totaling about 120 km for the day.
The mountain road to Bolafjall is closed when snow-covered; check its status beforehand.
Stay: Ísafjörður
Day 5 · Dynjandi Waterfall & Southward Journey
Westfjords (Ísafjörður)（Þingeyri、Hrafnseyri、Dynjandi）
Drive through the tunnel and take Routes 60 and 63 to Patreksfjörður, about 190 km (3 hours).
The hike up to Dynjandi takes about 15 minutes, passing five smaller tiers of waterfalls.
Stay: Patreksfjörður
Day 6 · Látrabjarg & Rauðasandur
Westfjords (Ísafjörður)（Garðar BA 64、Látrabjarg、Rauðasandur）
Drive round-trip from Patreksfjörður to the bird cliffs and the red sand beach, about 180 km for the day, mostly on gravel roads.
The gravel mountain road to Rauðasandur is steep; exercise caution after rain. There are no guardrails at the cliff edges.
Stay: Patreksfjörður
Day 7 · Ferry Crossing & Return to Reykjavík
Snæfellsnes Peninsula（Súgandisey Lighthouse、Stykkishólmur、Berserkjahraun Lava Field） → Reykjavík
Drive to Brjánslækur in about 1 hour, take the ferry for about 2.5 hours, then drive another 2.5 hours back to the city.
Book vehicle space on the Baldur ferry at least a week in advance during peak season.