The Westfjords peninsula clings onto the top northwest corner of Iceland by a narrow strip of land, keeping this mountainous area remote and sparsely populated. Here, the coastline folds into numerous fingers of land, creating long fjords, deep inlets of sea which reach into the land itself. These fjords provide safe harbours for fishing boats, yet easy access to the rich fishing grounds of the Atlantic Ocean.

 

Which is also why the edges of these fjords echo with the cries of seabirds, and why they nest on the 440metre high cliffs at Latrabjarg, the most westerly point in Europe. (Next stop, Greenland). Puffins, gannets, fulmar, razorbills and guillemots fight for nesting space and fish all summer long, while tourists wander along the white sandy beach at Orlygshofn and admire the Snaefellsjokull glacier from afar.

 

Keen bird watchers will also want to venture further north still, to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, totally uninhabited in winter, and protected by the Drangajökull mountain. In spring, wild flowers carpet the ground, while in summer the sea cliffs echo with the cries of hungry chicks and attentive parents from vast colonies of seabirds. Many birdwatchers fly in themselves to the airports at Isafjordur or Bildudalur, rather than take the winding roads from Reykjavik.

 

Any tourist, birdwatcher or not, would be lucky to glimpse the magnificent sights of a white-tailed eagle, soaring high above the fjord cliffs. Almost hunted to extinction, these birds have now returned in small numbers to reclaim their hauntingly beautiful hunting grounds. More likely are sightings of the eider ducks nesting, (which in turn will be looking out for the artic foxes), or the ubiquitous puffins strutting their stuff beside their burrows or clinging to cliff edges. Out to sea, seals and migrating whales, now safe from hunting, glide through the sea with grace and style.

 

Enjoying the Westfjord region is all about getting out there into the landscape. From boat trip to hiking, horse riding to climbing, this is an area that invites you to breathe the clear air, feel the rocks, touch the waters, reach for the skies. And, perhaps, go swimming! Westfjords has more natural hot pools than any other part of Iceland, and the water emerges from the rocks at ideal bathing temperature. For a swim with a view, try the Hellulaug pool near Flokalundur, which overlooks the sea.