Towns in West fjords
Nature in West fjords
- The fairest fjord of all
Arnarfjörður, 5-10 kilometres wide and 30 kilometres long, is bordered by Sléttanes to the north and Kópanes to the south. At its head, it forks at the Langanes promontory to form Suðurfirðir to the south and Borgarfjörður and Dynjandisvogur to the north. The bay of Dynjandisvogur is fed by the waterfall Dynjandi (“Thunderer”), which plummets over the edge of the cliff. Measuring 30 meters wide at the top and 60 meters at the bottom, Dynjandi is about 100 meters high, the most impressive waterfall in the West Fjords and one of the most beautiful in all Iceland. Below it, a series of waterfalls cascade. Arnarfjörður is widely considered the most beautiful fjord in the West Fjords because of its diverse landscape, magnificent mountains and the natural masterpiece of Dynjandi falls. On the southern side of the fjord lie Ketildalir valleys. Selárdalur valley is probably best known today because of the sculptures and buildings raised by the naivité artist Samúel Jónsson. From there is a wonderful panoramic view over Arnarfjörður with the 1000 metres mt. Kaldbakur, the highest mountain in the West Fjords on the other side of the fjord. Bíldudalur (pop. 233) lies in the shadow of a mountain at Bíldudalsvogur cove in the south of Arnarfjörður. The town is picturesque and isolated, and enjoys some of the best summer weather in the region. Throughout the ages, local people have earned a reputation for industrial innovation, unique evidence of which can still be seen in various places in the town. Culturally too, they take pride in preserving local characteristics. The first acting society in Iceland was founded in Bíldudalur. Young and old took part in one way or the other which is given evidence in the high level of cultural life in this small fishing village. Not surprisingly music is also an integral part of the villagers’ life. The Melodies of the Memories is an interesting museum devoted to the musical life in Iceland, founded by one of the many artists and performers that Bíldudalur has fostered.
Arnarfjörður, 5-10 kilometres wide and 30 kilometres long, is bordered by Sléttanes to the north and Kópanes to the south. At its head, it forks at the Langanes promontory to form Suðurfirðir to the south and Borgarfjörður and Dynjandisvogur to the north. The bay of Dynjandisvogur is fed by the waterfall Dynjandi (“Thunderer”), which plummets over the edge of the cliff. Measuring 30 meters wide at the top and 60 meters at the bottom, Dynjandi is about 100 meters high, the most impressive waterfall in the West Fjords and one of the most beautiful in all Iceland. Below it, a series of waterfalls cascade. Arnarfjörður is widely considered the most beautiful fjord in the West Fjords because of its diverse landscape, magnificent mountains and the natural masterpiece of Dynjandi falls. On the southern side of the fjord lie Ketildalir valleys. Selárdalur valley is probably best known today because of the sculptures and buildings raised by the naivité artist Samúel Jónsson. From there is a wonderful panoramic view over Arnarfjörður with the 1000 metres mt. Kaldbakur, the highest mountain in the West Fjords on the other side of the fjord. Bíldudalur (pop. 233) lies in the shadow of a mountain at Bíldudalsvogur cove in the south of Arnarfjörður. The town is picturesque and isolated, and enjoys some of the best summer weather in the region. Throughout the ages, local people have earned a reputation for industrial innovation, unique evidence of which can still be seen in various places in the town. Culturally too, they take pride in preserving local characteristics. The first acting society in Iceland was founded in Bíldudalur. Young and old took part in one way or the other which is given evidence in the high level of cultural life in this small fishing village. Not surprisingly music is also an integral part of the villagers’ life. The Melodies of the Memories is an interesting museum devoted to the musical life in Iceland, founded by one of the many artists and performers that Bíldudalur has fostered.
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