Driftwood Strandir

Travel Guide Strandir

Region: Strandir
Coordinates: 65.6937° N 21.4580° W

The district Strandasysla covers the easternmost part of the Westfiords. Its coastline is indented with coves and fiords and the sea is dotted with many islands and islets. The weather conditions are rather wet and cold and sometimes pack ice from Greenland fills the fiords, but there are lovely days in-between. Thermal activity can be found in several places.

There is quite some number of rivers, rivulets, and small lakes in the area (see the „angling site”). The district is sparsely populated and totally abandoned north of the Ingolfsfiord. In Djupavik, a hotel is operated for the increasing number of travellers in this part of the country. In many places, the shoreline is dotted with driftwood from Siberia. There are quite many and large eider colonies along the coastline and the inhabitants collect the down from the nests, hunt seals, process the drift wood and do some fishing to survive.

Strandir region was for centuries very remote in Iceland, known for witchcraft and as a refuge for criminals.

The communications are difficult during winter and the main road ends in the abandoned fishing hamlet Ingolfsfiord. This part of the country enjoys increasing popularity because of the solitude it offers, beautiful landscapes, and endless hiking, sightseeing, deep-sea fishing and whale watching possibilities.
The towns of Strandir and starting pounds are: Bordeyri, Holmavik, Drangsnes, hamlet Gjogur and Nordurfjordur.

The most famous attraction in the of Strandir is without a doubt:
Ingolfsfjordur, Djupavik, Trekyllisvik, Drangavik, Ofeigsfjordur

Going to Strandir you can drive via Stadarskali n1 Filling station) Rout 1 to North Iceland Hrutafjordur and continue via Bordeyri to Holmavik or via Brattabrekka to Budardalur and continue to Holmavik.