The Westfjords Way: Iceland's New Long-Distance Trail

Iceland's remote Westfjords peninsula has long been considered the country's final frontier — a dramatic landscape of towering sea cliffs, pristine fjords, and Arctic fox dens that remained largely inaccessible to hiking enthusiasts. That changed in 2022 with the official opening of the Westfjords Way, a 625-kilometre long-distance trail that ranks amongst Europe's most spectacular and challenging multi-day hiking routes.

The Trail That Redefines Remote

The Westfjords Way traces the entire coastline of Iceland's northwest peninsula, offering hikers an unprecedented journey through landscapes that even most Icelanders have never experienced. Beginning in Ísafjörður, the Westfjords' largest settlement with just 2,600 inhabitants, the trail winds through some of the most geologically fascinating terrain in the North Atlantic.

Unlike Iceland's more accessible hiking routes, the Westfjords Way demands serious commitment. The complete circuit typically requires 20-25 days to complete, though the trail's modular design allows for shorter sections ranging from three to seven days. Each segment connects established communities via ancient sheep paths, traditional hiking routes, and newly constructed trail sections that required five years of development by the Westfjords Tourism Board and local hiking associations.

Hornstrandir: The Crown Jewel

The trail's most celebrated section traverses Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, Europe's northernmost point accessible on foot. This 580-square-kilometre wilderness area, abandoned by its farming communities in the 1950s, now hosts Iceland's largest Arctic fox population and some of the continent's most pristine bird colonies.

The Hornstrandir segment spans 127 kilometres over typically six days, with hikers camping wild amongst the ruins of abandoned farms. Höfn, once a thriving fishing village, now serves as a haunting waypoint where stone foundations emerge from lupine fields. The section's highlight is the ascent to Kálfatindar peaks at 489 metres, offering panoramic views across the Denmark Strait to Greenland's ice sheet, visible on clear days just 287 kilometres distant.

Here, hikers encounter Látrabjarg cliffs, Europe's westernmost point, where 400-metre vertical drops provide nesting sites for over one million seabirds. The cliff-top walking requires absolute attention — the basalt ledges crumble unpredictably, and Arctic terns defend their territories aggressively between June and August.

Technical Demands and Seasonal Restrictions

The Westfjords Way operates under strict seasonal constraints. The official hiking season runs from mid-June through mid-September, with July and August offering the most reliable weather. Outside this window, river crossings become dangerous, and mountain sections remain snow-covered well into June.

River crossings present the trail's most significant challenge. Twelve major rivers lack bridges, requiring hikers to wade through glacial meltwater that can reach thigh-deep levels during warm spells or heavy rain. The Dýrafjörður crossing near Þingeyri proves particularly treacherous — the river's flow increases dramatically throughout the day as solar heating accelerates glacier melt in the surrounding mountains.

Weather conditions change rapidly throughout the peninsula. Hikers must prepare for temperatures ranging from 2°C to 15°C, with persistent winds often exceeding 50 kph along exposed coastal sections. The trail's northern reaches experience frequent fog, particularly around Snæfjallaströnd, where visibility can drop to mere metres within minutes.

Infrastructure and Logistics

The Westfjords Way's infrastructure reflects its wilderness character. Only 23% of the route offers hut accommodation, concentrated in the trail's southern sections near Patreksfjörður and Tálknafjörður. These mountain huts, managed by Ferðafélag Íslands (Iceland's touring association), provide basic sleeping facilities for 890 ISK per person per night, though advance booking proves essential during peak season.

Most hikers rely on wild camping, which remains legal throughout the peninsula except within Hornstrandir Nature Reserve's designated camping areas. Quality camping equipment proves non-negotiable — the peninsula's weather can deteriorate from pleasant hiking conditions to survival situations within hours.

Resupply opportunities occur approximately every 4-6 days in small settlements including Bolungarvík, Suðureyri, and Flateyri. These communities offer basic grocery provisions, though prices reflect their remoteness — expect to pay 180-220% of Reykjavík prices for imported goods. Local fish and lamb products cost significantly less and provide superior nutrition for long-distance hiking.

Getting There and Getting Started

Reaching the Westfjords requires either rental car transport or scheduled bus services from Reykjavík. Strætó bus route 59 connects the capital to Ísafjörður year-round, though the 456-kilometre journey requires 5.5 hours including the transfer at Búðardalur. One-way tickets cost 8,990 ISK.

Domestic flights from Reykjavík City Airport to Ísafjörður Airport offer a faster alternative at 17,900 ISK for advance bookings. Eagle Air operates twice-daily services during summer months, reducing travel time to 45 minutes.

Trail registration isn't mandatory but proves wise for safety reasons. The Westfjords Search and Rescue teams recommend registering hiking plans at safetravel.is, particularly for solo hikers attempting the more remote northern sections.

The Westfjords Experience

The Westfjords Way delivers an hiking experience unmatched elsewhere in Iceland. This isn't a trail for novice long-distance hikers — it demands navigation skills, river crossing experience, and the mental resilience to handle days of challenging weather in complete isolation. Yet for experienced hikers seeking Europe's last great wilderness challenge, the Westfjords Way offers landscapes and solitude that justify every difficult kilometre.

The trail represents more than just exceptional hiking; it's a journey through Iceland's cultural margins, where abandoned farms tell stories of climate change, economic pressure, and human adaptation in one of Earth's most demanding environments. Completing the full Westfjords Way earns hikers membership in an exclusive community — fewer than 300 people have finished the complete route since its opening.

For those prepared for its demands, the Westfjords Way stands as Iceland's ultimate hiking achievement and Europe's most remote long-distance trail experience.

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