Westfjords Peninsula, Iceland
Westfjords Peninsula at a Glance
This is the far northwest of the country that almost looks like it wants to separate itself from the mainland. Geologically, this peninsula is the oldest part of Iceland. Its rocks date back to 16 million years. The landscape is the most dramatic in all of Iceland and is the peninsula’s main attraction – rugged mountains and deep fjords make up most of it.
The narrow strip of land, which links it to the mainland between Kollafjörður and Gilsfjörður, is just 8 miles (13 km) wide and legend has it that it is the work of two trolls, who wanted to dig a channel here. Today, the Westfjords peninsula is home to about 8,000 people. Most of them live in Ísafjöður and still make their living from fishing.
The Hornstrandir peninsula in the north is a popular summer hiking destination. The southern coastline is known for its nice beaches and cozy little fishing villages. During the winter the mountains around Ísafjöður are a popular skiing destination. The season runs from the beginning of January to Easter and daily flights from Reykjavík are available.