Iceland Part XIII: Westfjords
My Journey: Westfjords
5/1/2024, Wednesday
I had been wanting to have gas station hamburgers or pizza since smelling them for a while now. I decided to try it here but they only had beef hot dogs. We also tried the ice cream that people online had talked about. It was good, like a Dairy Queen style soft serve, very American.
From the Ring Road, we took Highway 60 North. Just after making the turn off 60, the volcanic mountain, Baula, will come into view.
Baula
Off of 60 is the valley where there is a reproduction of Eric the Red and Lief Erikson’s home, Eiríksstaðir - Viking Longhouse.
Eiríksstaðir - Viking Longhouse
There is a little statue and some photo opportunities here and you can play Viking Chess. It was a quick detour.
We stayed right on 60 all the way into the Westfjords.
60
We found a suitable camp to head to that was on the south end of the fjords. We ultimately chose to keep our exploration to the southwestern side of the Westfjords.
Ultimately, we settled on Djúpidalur campground as our stop for the night. Besides a well appointed kitchen, they also have a thermal pool and a hot tub.
It was very nice again to have such a nice place to cook. After dinner, I headed to bed.
Night
5/2/2024, Thursday
The camp site had the nicest facilities of them all. It was a good choice for the night. It was evident that it was also used by the local family or families.
After breakfast, we headed further into the Westfjords. There are a few thermal baths to get to but none are near each other so we headed to the one I thought was the most promising.
Hellulaug Hot Spring is just below the parking lot for it with a nice view of the fjords.
Hellulaug hot spring
And of course, I took a skinny dip. It is not as warm as some others, but it was very nice to sit in and clean around the area.
With lots of opportunities for photos, this was one of my favorite spots. We actually stopped here twice; once on the way west, then again when we headed east.
Lykania at Hellulaug Hot Spring
From the hot spring, we continued west, stopping for gas near Floki Gedenkstein where there is a monument to Floki and his discovery of Iceland.
There is a little canyon and river nearby and the monument is right across from the gas station. This marked the furthest west in the Westfjords that we were to travel.
Floki Gedenkstein
We turned around and headed back the way we came, stopping again at the hot spring, and then back to the Ring Road.
Gislahellir Track
The weather remained overcast and rainy. The roads went between asphalt and dirt and there was a fair amount of steep descents and sharp turns.
Dirt Road
All along the way you could see wildlife from geese, that failed to avoid the van, to arctic foxes, as well as the changing tides.
The road felt very treacherous compared to the Ring Road. I think Dez was ready to be done with 60.
Throughout the trip, I relied on multiple apps for weather and traffic information. Safe Travel and Veður.
The Westfjords is another adventure in and of itself. Had it been summer, or had we had more time, I would have liked to stay longer.
Eventually, we crossed the final causeway and and were out of the Westfjords.
Causeway on 60
Lessons Learned and Tips:
The birds will not always get out of the way. Don’t dodge them, you might fall off a cliff.