The Westfjords feature several distinctive fjords of various sizes and shapes, of which Ísafjardardjúp (Ice-fjord-deep) is by far the largest and deepest. 75 km long and twenty kilometers wide between Stigahlíd and Grænahlíd where it opens into the Greenland Sea. To the north, aside from the Jökulfirdir, there is only one cove in Ísafjardardjúp, called Kaldalón. To the south, however, there are eight smaller fjords along Ísafjardardjúp. The southernmost is Ísafjördur, the most beautiful is Skötufjördur just north of the ancient estate of Ögur, and the northernmost, Bolungarvík, is more a cove than a fjord. Just south of Skutulsfjördur is the town of Ísafjördur, the capital of the Westfjords. About half of the Westfjords’ population lives there, in a vibrant town with history, culture, an airport, and the Vestri football club which plays in the Icelandic top league. Ísafjördur boasts an exceptionally good ski area, and although Ísafjardardjúp is a long drive, it undeniably does feature unique natural beauty, birdlife, geothermal activity, and calmness that makes one forget both time and place.
Ísland 29/02/2024 : RX1RII, A7RIII : 2.0/35mm Z, FE 1.4/50mm Z, FE 2.8/90mm G, FE 2.8/100mm GM
Ljósmyndir & texti : Páll Stefánsson
