Wolfgang Reinelt - Iceland pictures

outdoor @ wolfgang-reinelt.de	Icelands westfjords, 2000

Map issued by Icelandic Travelnet:
www.travelnet.is/images/kort/vestfirdir.gif

The Westfjords are the very "north-west corner" of Iceland, close to the arctic circle and quite similar to the shore line in Norway. The northernmost part named Hornstrandir (where the glacier Drangajøkull is located in the map to the right) is abandoned nowadays: no shops, no camping sites, no GSM phones, not that much tourists so far. Lots of nature, lots of polar foxes. You either walk to its northern top from the next village like Drangsnes, or you get there by ferry connections from Isafjördur and walk around (which we did). The ferry schedules can be checked with the Tourist Information in Isafjördur. You'll reach Isafjördur by plane or bus, plane may be cheaper and faster. Isafjördur isn't that big, but you'll have the opportunity to shop, sit in the cafe and meet nice people.

We did the following tour on Hornstrandir in August 2000. The weather we experienced there was windy, day temperatures around 10 degrees, surprisingly much sun and not that much rain. The tour is obvious when looking at the 1:100000 "Ramblers map of Hornstrandir", issued by "Landmælingar Islands", but more precise maps are recommended. The total distance of this trip (=between all the points measured with the GPS) is 30km, neglecting may meters up and down and some suboptimal moves on the second day 8-)

2000-08-16: Ferry Isafjördur - Hesteyri [N66.20.50,W22.53.25] (1hr), short hike uphill

2000-08-17: in northern direction to-wards out camping site where the river Svina meets the bay Fljotavatn [N66.26.24,W22.52.32]]

2000-08-18: an adventurous trip to the plateau of Almeningar [N66.25.50,W22.47.50]

2000-08-19: in eastern direction along the shoreline of Hlöduvik to-wards Atlaskard [N66.25.21,W22.35.33]

2000-08-20: the last bit to Hornvik [N66.25.32,W22.29.24]

2000-08-21: Ferry back to Isafjördur (3hrs)

The coordinates provided on this page are data measured on that trip using a Garmin GPS12, usually with an EPE less than 10meters. Map Datum is WGS84 and Position Format is DD.MM.SS Observe, that the 1:100000 map is quite inaccurate in this region!

Some photos are available. Please click on a thumbnail to view the fullsize image.