A puffin at Látrabjarg, Westfjords, Iceland, July 2025
Stunning, relatively remote and with Europe's largest bird cliff on the most western point of the entire continent. That are the Westfjords (Vestfirðir), the oldest part of Iceland made from ancient volcanic sediments. Navigating this string of high-rise peninsulas include driving over some of the more adventurous gravel and dust roads of the country - so a 4x4 drive is absolutely recommended, even more so if the weather changes into more adversary conditions. The Westfjords are full of little gems you come across on your way to discovering them, and include something rare for Iceland: white sand beaches. During my visit in July 2025, I was only able to do a small southern section of the area, with rain messing up the beach visits - but it tastes like so much more for a next journey to Iceland.
A small hot spring on the way, Westfjords, Iceland.
Sunset in the valley of the hot spring.
The cute changing room at the hot spring.
Guardian of the Penna river
Driving through the Westfjords, you might come across stone men, seen by some as guardians of the landscape. They were built by road construction workers. One of them is the Stone Man at the Penna river. According to some sources, it started as a small stone cubicle protected by a wooden or metal fence or door. Here the road builders got their food and other supply, sheltered from the weather. Later, they made a man figure on top of this. The Stone Man of the Penna river was built in 1958, when the construction workers made a small bridge over the river.
The Guardian of the Penna river
A dramatically shaped mountain marks the entrance to Road 612 (spot it in front for perspective), a stunning scenic way to go west.
The Geirþjófsfjörður fjord.
Dynjandi waterfalls
A stunning piece of nature are the Dynjandi waterfalls. The name sounds like it has been made up in some Disney studio, but the scenery is nothing but very real. Dropping down from 200 metres (657 feet) ASL, it are seven waterfalls in total - each bearing its own name. Apart from Dynjandi - the "Thunder" - it are from top to bottom: Bæjarfoss, Hundafoss, Kvíslarfoss, Hrísvaðsfoss, Göngumannafoss, Strompgljúfrafoss and Hæstahjallafoss. Take the path up and closer to the top one can spot bright red layers of iron, contrasting beautifully with lushy green layers of rock vegetation. Dynjandi is an official Icelandic natural monument since 1981.
Clear red layers of iron.
Details of the Dyjandi waterfalls.
Patreksfjarður fjord
Scenic route 612 on the southern bank of the Patreksfjarður fjord is a nice adventure, with nice spots along the way. It even has its own airstrip, but during my visit in July 2025 the runway and parking facilities were taken mostly by road construction material and ground-moving equipment.
The Garðar BA 64 is the oldest steel ship of Iceland, made in 1912, and stranded at a Patreksfjörður beach since the beginning of the 1980s. It started its live in 1912, in Norway, as the Globe IV and was used for whaling. When the ship was deemed no longer safe, the owner let it be and that is where you find it rotting away today.
Sheep roam free everywhere on Iceland, including on the banks of the Patreksfjörður fjord.
An abandoned A-shape house on the southern banks of the Patreksfjörður fjord.
Elf houses, always have a good word for its inhabitants.
A fish farm in the Patreksfjörður fjord.
The remains of a US Navy C-117D (C-47), once based on Keflavik Air Base, has found its final resting place at the small Hnjótur Museum.
The Patreksfjörður is a great place to spot "retro" objects, such as this rusty tracked tractor.
View inland to the mountains on the southern bank of the Patreksfjörður fjord.
A geothermal pool looking out over Patreksfjörður fjord.
Látrabjarg
With its edge at location 65.50336 north and 24.53242 west, Látrabjarg is Europe's most western point. And exactly there Europe's biggest bird cliff can be found: stretching over 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) and up to 441 metres (1,447 feet) above the sea. It steepness makes it a perfect location for the seabirds - as predators like the arctic fox would find it impossible to hunt here. In the summer months of July and August, Látrabjarg is one of the spots to say "hi" to the cute puffins. Note that the road to their habitat and Innri-Barðsvogur nature reserve is not the easiest for non-Icelanders.
An easy part of the Látrabjarg road.
Spotted on the way.
A puffin covered in rain drops, Látrabjarg, Iceland, July 2025.
The Látrabjarg sea cliffs.
