2-day hike options, West Iceland

I would suspect that many other options could be harder than Hornstrandir. At least the footpaths are pretty well trodden there. For H, google down a map for an overview of options, and check out the boat timetables http://www.westtours.is/trip-categories/boat-schedules/ but the timetable is thinning out by end of August. In addition to boats from Isafjordur, yOu might quickly check the option at Nordurfjordur, walk one way and get boat other way, though I haven't checked whether the pick-up locations fit a 2 day walk, boats Fridays and Sundays. There was a discussion of this walking route on the forum a few months ago. Don't just hope, you have to check with the boat providers that there is space for you.

Another excellent possibility is the "Westfjord Alps". Here's an overview map http://www.thingeyri.is/english/Hiking_trails_in_the_Westfjords_Alps/ and brief trail descriptions. These are the mountains on the peninsular that Thingeyri lies on. You could join up a couple of passes into a 2 day circuit. My most lovely wild camp ever in Iceland was on the south side of this peninsular, some 5km or 10km west of Hrafnseyri, though of course the weather helped. But don't expect these routes to be visible underfoot for extensive parts. There is also a walking route on the Latrabjarg peninsular. You can get hiking maps of the whole Westfjords, I've given links to a webshop in earlier posts, if google doesn't find.

There is Snaefellsjokull national park with walking routes, you can google down a map of the walking routes. I think it isn't very exciting though.

Thanks @iviehoff ! The westfjords Alps area sounds pretty spectacular from the website description you forwarded. And potentially slightly easier to reach than H. The weather is similar at both presumably?

Regarding buying maps, are we better off waiting to reach the area we wish to hike in and buy a map there, or buy online in advance here in the UK? (If possible, will Google later for a link!)

Thanks again!!

The source of the maps is http://www.galdrasyning.is/ which is the Holmavik witchcraft museum. But there's something wrong with their website just now, and no maps are showing, and my security software complained about the url. Might be a temporary problem with their website. You can always give them a call.

My guess is you'll get the maps in Holmavik at the museum, because that is where they originate, and Isafjordur, at the tourist information, because that is the main place. That is also what it says here. http://www.westtours.is/westfjords/maps/ It also says you can get them "at all major tourist attractions in the Westfjords" but I struggle to think of any.

If you do go to the Westfjord Alps, consider dropping in to the Hrafnseyri museum, if only to use their excellent coffee shop. It's really a museum for Icelanders, about their independence, and they are flattered if foreign tourists go to it. Also has a traditional turf roofed cottage, in furnished condition, and there are very few of these left. But the main reason is the superb coffee shop, which would be very welcome if you've just spent 2 days hiking, especially if the weather wasn't nice.

The location is a bit more protected than Hornstrandir, so in principle the weather ought to be a little better. But it is often misty in the Westfjord hills, even when its reasonably pleasant fjordside.

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