THE WILD WESTFJORDS

Dynjandi Waterfall

Reputed to be home to Iceland’s most dramatic scenery the Westfjords in North West Iceland and the small town of Isafjordur bring a whole new meaning to getting away from it all.

The road from the pier to our eventual destination, Dynjandi waterfall, took many twists and turns.  While there was a fair amount of activity in the port of Isafjordur, it was unmistakable we had entered a remote part of the island nation. 

Before long we were traversing a long winding tunnel under the mountains, the centre point of which is a one way system which involves care with oncoming traffic.  Smaller communities dotted the wild landscape and the consequences of living in this far flung place were evident.  

Sweeping mountains, benign looking today, have been the cause of catastrophe in the past.  Avalanche is a constant risk and in the 1960s disaster struck when a massive avalanche covered one of the small towns killing a number of its inhabitants.  A system of fencing has been constructed in the hopes of lessening future avalanche impacts, the high walls cleverly disguised with vegetation.

We reminded ourselves that winter brings a completely different perspective with diminished hours of daylight.  We were visiting at a time of the year when the sun up came at 3 a.m. and night falls around midnight. 

View from the sixth viewing platform

The winding gravel road linking the two fiords snakes its way upward to the summit, nail biting drops on one side and snow encrusted banks on the other.  At the summit the view was spectacular.  The descent begins, repeating a similar winding route until finally we reached sea level.  In the distance the six waterfalls that make up Dynjandi were visible.

What appeared to be an attractive waterfall from a distance slowly started to impress as we got closer to its base.  The water cascades down the rugged cliffs in a fan-like array giving the appearance of an embroidered wedding veil.  The climb to the highest viewing platform takes about 30 minutes and despite the uneven terrain the hike was not to be missed. 

The mist from the plunging waters of Dynjandi shrouded us with moisture but it was the sound of the water that made us take pause.