Western
Iceland Regional Information
 Easily reachable from
Reykjavík
via a 7 km
tunnel under Hvalfjörður fjord, West iceland is
a showcase of lava formations, geothermal activity
and history. Woodlands are relatively
common, and there are fine lakes and rivers for
fishing, as well as grand scenery with chasms and
waterfalls, overlooked by glaciers on the rim of
the highlands.
Unique sights include Hraunfossar, a belt of
cascades straddling rocks and birch along the edge
of a lava field; Glymur, Iceland's highest waterfall
(198 m); and Víðgelmir, one of the world's largest lava caves, for
guided tours to see otherworldly ice formations
and stalactites.
West Iceland was home to some of the great
names in Iceland´s cultural history and pays
fitting tribute to them today. At Reykholt,
an exhibition centre is dedicated to Iceland´s
greatest saga writer, Snorri Sturluson, and a replica Viking
Age farmstead has been built at Eiríksstaðir,
home of Eirík the Red and birthplace of Leif the Lucky, who
discovered America in the year 1000.
 On Snæfellsnes peninsula, amazing works of
nature culminate in the glittering glacier on
mystical Snæfellsjökull - Iceland's
newest national park. The shore abounds in bizarre
rock formations and bird
life, and coastal
villages include Ólafsvík, a whale watching
cruise base. From Stykkishólmur, travellers can
take cruises or a ferry across Breiðafjörður
Bay with its swirling waters, countless
islands and period-piece houses on Flatey island.
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