Part of our Iceland itinerary included Iceland’s westfjords, we were excited since not many tourists make it out this way. I also had starred off a lot of hot springs along our route, which meant lots of warm baths. After our beautiful sunny few days along Iceland’s north coast, we had officially entered Iceland’s westfjords.
Iceland’s Westfjords
Day 1:
After Hvítserkur we continued along our drive on the road to Holmavik. The views were absolutely stunning, we drove in and out of a few fjords and it was just perfect in the sunny weather.
Welcome to the Westfjords
Our campervan atop the mountain
After a couple of hours of driving we reached Holmavik, it is such a cute small town, with a gas station! We drove through and saw the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft (true story) and a few houses with fairy houses outside (Oh Iceland you’re so cute). We were excited to reach our camp spot for the night. I had starred off a spot which was meant to have a hot spring so we went searching for it. We took road 643 and pulled up to Hotel Laugerholl. There was a pool, and a hot spring that was blessed by a Saint. We showered and jumped in the pool just as the sun was setting. It was just beautiful.
Blessed hot spring, water is fed to the pool from here
A beautiful pool and sunset all to ourselves sin Iceland’s Westfjords
There was a campsite just a bit further down from the hotel, we set up camp and made dinner with a bottle of wine. Northern Lights were meant to be out again tonight but the clouds also came out so we didn’t get to see them.
Day 2:
Today was going to be another long driving day, we were determined to find some more hot springs in Iceland’s westfjords that were hotter than body temperature. We got up early and got going, our first stop was only a short drive away which I found using these co-ordinates 65.9171830, -22.3417500. Plug them into google maps to find this awesome pool. The water was only warm so we snapped a couple pictures and searched for the next one on the list.
We continued along road 61 until we reached a road 633 according to google maps. It was more of a dirt track, which didn’t really seem to be a road anymore, so maybe just take the long way around via road 61, trust me. Our first stop was at Hörgshlíðarbær pool, which I found using these co-ordinates 65°49’51.7″N 22°37’44.0″W. We tested it out and it was also luke warm so we opted not to jump in.
Our next hot spring was located at Heydalur, there was also an indoor pool here. Once again the water was not warm enough for us so we just grabbed a coffee and wandered around the place for a little bit. We were told they have an artic fox that plays with the dogs but we couldn’t find him that day.
Our first hot spring of the morning.
This pool was amazing, I loved that it was right on the water.
A view from the hot pool at Heydalur
We headed back down road 61 until we reached our road, F-66. This road was probably the best road of the trip, we crossed a few small rivers and drove over a mountain and had some epic views. Definitely only do it with a 4 wheel drive though!
One of many amazing waterfalls along F66
We finally joined road 60 and followed that up to Flokalundur where we continued along road 60 with every intention of camping at Dynjandi that evening. Unfortunuately the weather was looking pretty grim that direction and it was still early so we opted to find another hot spring which was on the way to Bildudalur. We spotted the pool and went to explore and then found the best and hottest spring of the whole trip. So we cracked a bottle of wine and jumped in (more like eased in very slowly). You can search Reykjafjardarlaug hot pool or use these co-ordinates 65°37’25.1″N 23°28’25.3″W.
Stunning views of the fjords on the way to the hot springs
Our favorite hot spring
We stayed in for about an hour and then we went to explore the tiny fjord town of Bildudalur. It was adorable, we were planning to camp there but decided it was still too early and we wanted to continue exploring so we decided to try and make it back to Dynjandi. Probably wasn’t the greatest idea on these mountain roads through Iceland’s westfjords. The rain started to come down again but we made it safely to Dynjandi and set up camp.
Day 3:
We tried to sleep through another windy and rainy night and when we woke up it was still going. This weather was really wearing us down, but we put on our rain gear and snapped a few shots of Dynjandi before we decided to leave. It was a little disappointing that we didn’t get great weather for these pictures but you got to work with what you’ve got.
Dynjandi on a rainy day in the Westfjords
We had planned on making it out to the Latrabjarg cliffs today. Then we found out we were experiencing the remnants of hurricane Nicole so we wouldn’t be able to get there. So it was back to Flokalundur for gas, which wasn’t working. We couldn’t hang around there all day since we were catching the ferry at 6pm. Then we decided to drive out to Patreksfjörður where we thankfully managed to refuel. We spent our afternoon sitting in a coffee shop until it was time to head back towards the ferry. Despite the weather, we boarded the ferry which took us to Stykkishólmur.
If you are looking for more hot springs, check out this couple who found some in Colorado.
This is so cool! I went to Iceland this February but neither me or my boyfriend could drive so it wasn’t quite the same. Next time, I’m gonna hire a 4×4 and explore the beautiful nature on my own timetable. Looks like you had an awesome time there!
Iceland is like a movie set isn’t it? It’s stunning wherever you go. Why is it not visited by a lot more people? Is it because it’s too far away?
This area is a bit out of the way compared to everywhere else. Reykjavík and the southern coast and pretty well trodden by tourists
I love your pictures, the scenery is amazing! Glad you finally found a hot spring you could go in. It sounds like an amazing place to relax.
I love that you show some other hot springs than the famous pool of Iceland. Looks like a really nice road trip!
We were trying to avoidy touristy spots and these were definitely off the beaten path but so worth it
A tour of natural hot springs sounds right up my alley! Iceland just looks so stunning!
Wow, Loved this post so much! Heading to Iceland in two weeks and although I can’t drive (grrrr I am so damn young to drive internationally) saved it for a possible next trip in a couple of years 😀
Yes Iceland needs to be driven around for sure! You will have an amazing time nonetheless! I’m so jelly I wish I could go back!
I love that you included all the coordinate, Stace! A lot of these off the beaten path places would be impossible to find otherwise. I went to Iceland in November 2015 but didn’t get to check out the westfjords. I would love to check it out when I go back to Iceland in March 2017. Pinning this so I know where to find it later 🙂
Yes I did so much research to find these little spots so figured I would make it a bit easier for people!
What a great list! This will come in handy for when we visit Iceland- especially the coordinates for Google Map 🙂 Do you have to pay to use any of these? And CAN YOU BRING DRINKS that is the question…
The pool at the hotel was 500Kr per person but no one was there to take card so we didn’t pay. The pool one you need to ask the farmer for permission and we took booze with us! Lol
Iceland looks incredible! The Westfjords is so pretty and that hot spring is so quite! What time of the year did you visit?!
This was the middle of October! It was great!
Gahh I’m dying to get to Iceland, especially after seeing these pictures!!
Really impressed that you included coordinates to help people locate these hot springs! Definitely the sort of activity you’d want to be doing in cold weather, although you could do without the rain. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Really enjoyed seeing a different side of Iceland. We visited twice, but never made it to the Westfjords. Looks amazing, those hot pools! Maybe something for if we get there the third time one day.
The hot springs look amazing! A little hiking, gorgeous views, and realx in the hot spring is my idea of a great time! Plus, I really want to go to the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft now!
What an incredible Iceland trip! Really hoping to get there in 2017. It’s always nice being able to explore an area largely untouched by tourists, isn’t it? Makes you feel a bit more like a local. Great tips with the coordinates! That’s how we like to work too 🙂
Day 1 sounds out of this world. Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft and then a hot spring blessed by a saint. That’s probably the most unique thing you can ever find when you travel. :p
What a lovely trip on search to for hot, hot spring. Sounds lovely having a bottle of wine in one. Such a shame you couldn’t see the northern lights. That happened to me too.
The Arctic fox sounds really cute. I would have wanted to see that.
Great trip! Thanks for sharing it.
How absolutely stunning! Iceland looks so picturesque. Fairy houses? What is that? They sound so cute. So interesting that you used coordinates to find your way to hot pools. Do you have to pay to hop into them?
No these ones weren’t paid ones. The fairy houses were just tiny houses built in people’s gardens for the fairies! Lol
I cannot imagine a more perfect trip. Hot springs, wine, waterfalls…even if all the hot springs weren’t very hot :). Iceland is high on my list of places to get to and now I want to go even more.