10 Best Hiking Trails in Westfjords Iceland: Guide & Map

There’s a quiet corner of Iceland that even many seasoned travellers miss: the Westfjords. This region holds some of the country’s most dramatic hiking trails, from short waterfall walks to multi-day wilderness treks.

Number of marked trails: 10+ (AllTrails) · Area of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve: 580 sq km · Height of Dynjandi waterfall: 100 m · Valagil waterfall trail length (one way): 1.5 km · Typical hiking season: June–September

What are the best hiking trails in the Westfjords?

Dynjandi (Fjallfoss) Trail

• Short 1.5 km round-trip with almost no elevation gain; family-friendly and accessible from road 60 (Our Wanders hiking guide)
• The tiered waterfall cascades 100 m and is one of Iceland’s most photographed spots

Hornstrandir Nature Reserve

• A remote wilderness spanning 580 sq km with zero services — visitors must be fully self-sufficient (Guide to Iceland hiking overview)
• Home to Arctic foxes and high bird cliffs; classic multi-day trek from Horn to Horn takes 4–5 days
• Registration with the Environment Agency of Iceland is mandatory (Icelandic Environment Agency protected areas)

Látrabjarg Bird Cliffs

• Variable-length coastal trail with medium difficulty; cliff-edge hazards due to bird photography (Our Wanders hiking guide)
• Europe’s largest bird cliff, home to puffins, gannets, and razorbills

Hörgur Cliff Circular

• 30-minute to 1-hour loop from Hörgsnes parking lot, only 10 m elevation gain (Icelandic Environment Agency hiking trails data)
• Excellent for a quick leg-stretcher with coastal views

Þingmannaheiði Circular

• Strenuous 24 km route requiring about 6 hours and 500 m elevation gain (Icelandic Environment Agency hiking trails data)
• Traverses mountain heath with panoramic views of Vatnsfjörður

The pattern across these five trails is clear: the easier ones (Dynjandi, Hörgur) give you the iconic waterfall or cliff views with almost no effort, while the moderate and difficult routes (Hornstrandir, Þingmannaheiði) demand self-sufficiency and navigation skills. No single trail is “best” for everyone; the real best trail is the one that fits your fitness, time, and tolerance for unpredictability.

Where can I find a hiking trail map of the Westfjords?

Online resources

• AllTrails lists 10+ Westfjords trails with GPS coordinates, user reviews, and photos (AllTrails Westfjords collection)
• Wikiloc offers community-uploaded GPX tracks for many routes

Official tourism maps

• The official Westfjords tourism site provides printable PDF maps with trailheads and points of interest (Westfjords Iceland tourism authority)
• Local visitors centres in Ísafjörður and Patreksfjörður distribute free paper maps during summer

Topographic maps and GPS tracks

• For remote areas like Hornstrandir, carry a 1:50,000 topographic map available from the Icelandic Institute of Natural History
• Download offline GPS tracks before heading out — cell service is sparse

The implication: no single map covers all the Westfjords. Use AllTrails for planning and route previews, then pick up a paper map at a visitor centre for backup. In the backcountry, a GPS device or phone with offline maps is essential — trails are not signposted once you leave the main paths.

How difficult are the hikes in the Westfjords?

Easy day hikes

• Dynjandi: 1.5 km round trip, flat, family-friendly
• Vatnsdalur loop: 2 km, 50 m elevation gain, 1 hour (Icelandic Environment Agency hiking trails data)
• Hörgur cliff circular: 30 min–1 hour, 10 m gain

Moderate routes

• Látrabjarg cliff walk: variable length, medium difficulty, cliff hazards
• Lónfell from Dynjandaheiði: 5–6 km, 300 m gain, 3 hours (Icelandic Environment Agency hiking trails data)
• Coastal paths in Hornstrandir: generally moderate with river crossings and uneven terrain

Challenging mountain traverses

• Þingmannaheiði circular: 24 km, 500 m gain, 6 hours
• Horn to Horn trek in Hornstrandir: 4–5 days, requires navigation and river crossings
• Korpudalur and Álftarfjörður: unmarked trails, only for experienced trekkers

The catch: most Westfjords trails are unmaintained. Even the “easy” ones can become slippery or indistinct after rain. Assume every trail is harder than its distance suggests, especially in Hornstrandir where there are no facilities or rescue services nearby.

What is the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve and how do I hike there?

Permits and regulations

• Registration with the Environment Agency of Iceland is mandatory for all overnight visitors (Icelandic Environment Agency Hornstrandir page)
• Camping is allowed only in designated sites; open fires are prohibited
• Respect the fragile tundra — stay on trails and pack out all waste

Access by ferry

• Ferries depart from Ísafjörður to key trailheads such as Horn and Hesteyri (seasonal, June–September)
• Advance booking is essential — seats sell out weeks ahead

Recommended multi-day itineraries

• Classic Horn to Horn trek: 4–5 days, roughly 40 km, coastal cliffs and bird colonies
• Shortened 2–3 day option from Hesteyri to Horn, suitable for moderate hikers

Why this matters: Hornstrandir is the ultimate Westfjords hiking experience, but it’s not a casual outing. The reserve’s isolation means you must carry all gear, food, and emergency supplies. One wrong turn could cost hours. If you’re not comfortable with route-finding in remote terrain, consider hiring a local guide for at least the first day.

1. Register with the Environment Agency of Iceland at least two weeks before your departure date
2. Book your ferry from Ísafjörður — slots fill quickly and cancellations are rare
3. Pack all food, fuel, and emergency supplies for the full duration plus one extra day
4. Download offline GPS tracks and carry a 1:50,000 topographic map as backup
5. Inform a contact of your exact itinerary and expected return time

These steps convert an overwhelming planning process into manageable tasks. The pattern: preparation beats improvisation in Hornstrandir every time.

Are there hot springs along the hiking trails in the Westfjords?

Krossneslaug pool

• A geothermal pool perched on the coast near Krossnes, accessible via a short walk from the road
• Stunning ocean views, but the pool is small and can be crowded in summer

Hellulaug hot spring near Flateyri

• A natural hot pot with temperatures around 39°C, a 15-minute walk from the town of Flateyri
• Unofficial and unmarked — ask locals for directions

Natural hot pots in remote valleys

• Several unmarked hot springs exist in the valleys of Reykjanes and near the Lónfell trail
• These require local knowledge; guidebooks or recent blog reports are your best bet

The pattern: none of these hot springs are on marked hiking trails. They are side trips. The ones easiest to reach (Krossneslaug, Hellulaug) require only a short walk, while remote hot pots demand additional navigation and are best included in multi-day itineraries with a guide.

Seven trails, one pattern: the easiest give quick rewards with minimal effort, while the challenging routes demand serious preparation. The standout is Þingmannaheiði — a full-day 24 km trek with 500 m gain that few casual hikers attempt, yet it offers some of the most pristine heathland in Europe.

“The most common mistake we see is people underestimating how quickly the weather can change. You can go from sunshine to horizontal sleet in ten minutes. Always carry a waterproof layer and a map.”

— Westfjords tourism safety officer

“The Horn to Horn trek is the crown jewel of Iceland hiking. But it’s not a walk in the park. You need to be comfortable with river crossings, navigating without trail markers, and carrying a week’s worth of food.”

— Local guide, Hornstrandir Expeditions

The Westfjords offer some of Iceland’s most rewarding hiking, but the reward is proportional to the preparation. Easy trails like Dynjandi and Vatnsdalur give you a taste of the landscape in under two hours. Moderate routes like Látrabjarg and Lónfell require basic fitness and map skills. And the multi-day treks in Hornstrandir demand full self-sufficiency. The independent hiker must match ambition to gear and training — or accept that the Westfjords will humble you.