Go west

The Westfjords are sometimes called Iceland’s best-kept secret and word is spreading about the scenic wonders that light up Europe’s westernmost region. Highlights include the Hornstrandir nature reserve, water sports in Jökulfjörður bay and bird spotting on Vigur Island. Ísafjörður, the region’s capital, links past and present, and is the perfect base for exceptional adventures in this remote part of the country.

• 40 rooms: 20 with en-suite bathrooms and 20 with in-room washbasins
• Sleeping bag accommodation available
• Breakfast buffet
• Conference / meeting rooms
• Camping site
• Opening dates: 12. June - 19. August 2012
• On closing day we close at noon, last guests check in the day before. 

A visit to the island Vigur is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the West Fjords. This tiny island is the home of thousand of birds; puffins, arctic terns, eider ducks and black guillemots. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a piece of cake at the primitive and charming local coffee house.

• Charming town centre
• Hiking trails http://www.strandir.is/gongukort
• Sea kayaking
• Trout fishing
• Bird watching
• Swimming pools
• Bike rental
• Sightseeing tours
• Boat tours
• Golf
• Maritime museum

Please contact us for further information.

Isafjordur

Isafjordur is a fishing village in the north west of Iceland surrounded by high mountains with near horizontal lava layers. The name of the village means “ice-fjord”. The population is around 3000 making it the largest town in the peninsula of Vestfirdir. Within 40 minutes’ driving there are six other towns, of which five are connected with tunnels.

Fishing has always been the mainstay in Isafjordur ever since settlement. The first engine in a fishing boat in Iceland was installed here in the boat Stanley in 1902 and from that time, the industry evolved, rapidly changing the poor country into a prosperous one. The industry has however taken some hits recent decades and the number of people working in the sector has decreased. This is due to a complicated internaction of many things, such as political reasons, natural causes and technological advances. This has contributed to a declining population in the area since its peak in the late 1980’s.

Air Iceland (Flugfelag Islands) serves Isafjordur on a regular schedule. The harbor serving the fishing fleet also serves ferries to nearby settlements as well as larger cruise ships visiting the area.

Major Points of Interest

Visiting the Heritage museum at Nedstikaupstadur is a must when in Isafjordur. Here you can see the oldest commercial buildings in Iceland, still standing. The oldest house is from 1757 and housed the main store. A house for the merchant was constructed 1765. The Tar-house is from 1781 and the Tower-house from 1784. When the Danish monopoly trade, which started in 1602, was abolished in 1787 an association of Danish merchants took over the commerce later to be superseded by Icelanders. The museum is open from 10am until 5pm. Salted cod is drying on the stone-field outside just like it was done in the past. The restaurant, acclaimed by tourists and journalists alike, has a simple menu; the freshest fish found. It is also open from 10am to 5pm. 

When one visits the West Fjords a boat trip should definit elybe on the itinerary. The island Vigur is one of three islands in the large fjord Isafjardardjup. Only two of them are habitable. The island is long and narrow and takes its name from its shape. Vigur is an old word for sword. The oldest construction on the island is a windmill from 1840. In fact it is the only windmill in Iceland. The oldest boat in Iceland is also found in Vingur. Built around 1800, it was in use until the year 2000, mainly to carry sheep between the island and the mainland. It is in good condition and still seaworthy. Until recently dairy farming was the most important factor in the island’s economy. Now, however, it is tourism and eiderdown. There are scheduled boat trips to Vigur from Isafjordur.

Tungudalur is a valley about 2 km (1.25 miles) into the fjord. The local golf club is there (see below) together with a camp site. There are hiking routes in the area with waterfalls, cascades and low birch trees.

Osvor The Maritime Museum at Osvor is on your right when you drive to the village Bolungarvik. It is devoted to fish and fisheries and is open from June 6th until August 16th from 10am until 5pm. The caretaker is dressed like a seaman of long ago wearing a sheep-skin overall. On the beach in front of the museum is a fishing boat for six oarsmen, fish hanging for drying, and upstairs in the fisherman´s hut (verbud) are the bunks for the seamen. On the ground floor you will find various tools and equipment and the caretaker domenstrates how they were used and for what. At Osvor you will also see the salt-house and the stone-field were the salted fish was dried. This museum is unique because it is the only museum showing how seamen made their living in times past.

Other Activities

Hiking trails Maps can be found on http://www.strandir.is/gongukort West Tours Wide selection of tours http://www.vesturferdir.is Golf The Isafjordur Golf Club is located in Tungudalur and has 9 holes – par 70 (35/35). Refreshment and club rentals are available. www.golf.is/gi

Diversions off the beaten track

Bolungarvik is a small village on the outskirts of Isafjardardjup 17 km (10.5 miles) from Isafjordur. Population is around 900 and the main occupation is fishing and fish production. Bolungarvik is close to the fishing grounds and the average time from fish catch until handling on shore is between 2 to 8 hours. Most of the fish goes fresh on ice to Europe daily by air. The Book of Settlement tells that Thuridur Sundafyllir (strait filler) was the first one to settle here. Fishing started from Bolungarvik right at the beginning of the Age of Settlement (870-930) and has been the main occupation since then. The first trading post was established in 1890. The road to Bolungarvik along Oshlid was opened in 1950. Until then all transport was by sea. A tunnel through the mountains connecting Bolungarvik with Isafjordur is near completion and will be a great improvement in safety and transportation. A grade school was established in 1877. Every year - a Love Week is held in August. (Certainly a good effort to increase the population!)

Hnifsdalur

On your way to Bolungarvik you will drive through the small village of Hnifdalur, which joined Isafjordur in 1971. The population is around 250. The main occupation here is fishing and fish production in the freezing-plant Gunnvor. Many avalanches have fallen from the mountain Budarhyrna onto the village. The worst one was in 1910 when 20 people were killed and 12 seriously hurt.

Sudavik Another small village is in Alftafjordur about 17km (10.5 miles) from Isafjordur. Population is around 180. The main occupation here is fishing and fish farming. Tourism is increasing and the main activity is sea angling by many nationalities. Marked walking trails are lead out from the vill age. Among them is one to the innermost part of Alftafjordur to a ravine named Valagil. There one can observe variable lava layers which indicate an ancient central volcano below Lambadals-mountain. The landscape at Valagil is stunning and the trail from the main road is clearly marked.

Folk Tales from Nortwest Iceland

Thjodolfur and Thuridur the Strait-filler

Thuridur the Strait-filler came from Norway according to the Icelandic Book of Settlement and settled down in Bolungarvik. Her cognomen comes from her remarkable power when she cast a spell and filled all straits with fish during a famine in Norway. This story tells about Thuridur and her brother Thjodolfur. He arrived later and asked her sister for land. She said he could have as much as he could fence in a day. He laid claim to more than he should and an argument began. Thjodolfur was annoyed and attempted to steal an ox from his sister. She cast a spell on him that he should turn into a rock where the seabirds would leave their droppings. He responded by casting a spell on her to become a rock and stand where the winds are the strongest. You can see her on top of the mountain Oshlid. The rock Thjodolfur disappeared in 1936 in calm weather and has not been seen again. The spell was probably over.

The Pastors of Adalvik

Adalvik is a small bay north of Isafjardardjup. It is abandoned now but is a popular place for tourists during the summer. Many of the buildings on the old farms are still standing and have been maintained by people who lived there once or by their relatives. This is a long story about a pastor and his neighbor and both were practicing sorcery. Once when the pastor was doing some carpentry down at the beach his neighbor carved runes on a piece of wood and sent it drifting to the pastor. The runes had the effect that anyone who read them turned blind. But the pastor was a good poet and he made a verse to regain his sight. Then he scraped the runes off the wood and wrote new onces. He sent the wooden piece away saying: “Go back to your master and you shall cause his death, if he intends to use you for evil purposes again.” The farmer took the wood and was about to carve runes to kill the pastor when the knife slipped and went deep into his chest.

Sorcery in the West Fjords

The region of the West Fjords is known for sorcery and witchcraft. This story tells about one Johannes Olafsson. His power was so great that he could exorcise ghosts by just sending them greetings. A woman in Bitrufjordur was on the brink of madness because of a family ghost. She sent a man to Johannes asking for help. Johannes wrote some runes on a piece of paper and instructed the woman to fling the piece of paper at the ghost next time she saw it and say that Johannes sends his greetings. The woman did as instructed, got rid of the ghost, and gained good health. There are many folk tales about sorcery in the West Fjords. We recommend the book: A Travelers Guide to Icelandic Folk Tales by Jon R. Hjalmarsson

Evening Walk

Take a walk through town and observe the old houses. You will see practically every type of architecture in Iceland. It is also an easy walk to the harbor where the fishermen land their catches.

A walk into to Tungudalur and back (see above) is about 4 to 5 kilometers (3 miles).