Dynjandi Waterfall & The Westfjords

We start the Dynjandi waterfall from Isafjordur tour by driving straight to Dynjandi via the new tunnel at the bottom of Dyrafjordur. The tunnel exits in the Dynjandisvogur creek of Arnarfjordur, after which the waterfall is named.

Actually a series of seven waterfalls falling like a bridal veil from the edge of a cliff, Dynjandi is breathtaking. The river originates from the Eyjavatn lake in the Glama moors, which was considered a glacier until the late 19th century.

We stop for an hour so you can enjoy the waterfall and scenic landscape. If you like, you can take a short hike for a closer look at the top tier and spectacular views of the fjord and surrounding mountains.

At 30 km long, Arnarfjordur is one of the longest fjords in Iceland and is known in folklore for being home to sea monsters. There is a museum dedicated to these mysterious creatures at Bildudalur, a town on the far side of the fjord.

We then visit Hrafnseyri, the historical home of Hrafn Sveinbjarnason, a legendary chieftain spoken of in the Sagas of the Icelanders, but today even better known as the birthplace of Jon Sigurdsson. Jon was the leader of the Icelandic independence movement and a founding father of the country, and his birthday is celebrated as the National Day.

Dyrafjordur is rich in flora, fauna, history and geological marvels and home to the town of Thingeyri, one of the oldest settlements in the Westfjords. It is here where the regional Viking assembly (or “thing”) was held and the first trading post of the Westfjords was established.
The Haukadalur farmstead beyond the town is the setting for many events in The Saga of Gisli, a classic outlaw Saga from the 9th and 10th century.

The mountain range between Dyrafjordur and Arnarfjordur is referred to as the Westfjords Alps and we will stop briefly to enjoy the impressive mountain and fjord views.