Day 89 July 9th 2018 Holmavik
The Strandir coast remote even for the West Fjords and my favourite drive. From Holmavik north to Norðurfjörður – on the east side of West Fjords near the Arctic Circle. Confusing but amazing. This was a drive hindered by, and enhanced by the wind. Out to sea – willy willys forming and moving across the bay, rainbows dotting the horizon and above us rocks being thrown down the hillside and across the road. Dust storms blocking our view.
Drangnes hot pools – as we arrived – our first stop of the morning – we discovered change rooms on one side of the road and the pool on the seaside. One needed to cross the road in bathers to reach the pools. As we arrived the winds were so strong (and cold) my hair was blown horizontal. Despite the heat of the pools we decided it was a no for us.
Drangnes PoolThis day’s drive was one of my favourites. Wild and windswept. It was a long drive to the Northern point but incredible.
At lunchtime we found a quiet spot with no-one around. Logs seemed perfectly placed for laying out a picnic lunch and no one in sight, not traffic just a view out to sea and the wind. Just as we settled a couple of camper vans passing by saw our spot and came in, parking in front of us on two sides completely and unashamedly blocking our view.
Djupavik – is impressively located beneath a waterfall at Reykjarfjörður, surrounded by rocky mountain terrain. The road to Djupavik weaves around the coast clutching mountains with incredible views of the coast, fjords and mountains. Djúpavík itself is a town of seemingly derelict buildings from the once thriving herring processing centre. The factory building is now an art gallery – we were unable to find a way in on the cold and windy day. Rusted boat hulls on the shore line.
As we drove through the waterfalls behind the town had spray blowing uphill – whipped up by the strong winds.
DjupavikAnd on we drove hugging the coast line with white caps covering the sea and wind blowing spray and dust at us as we continued.
Then at the end of the road – Heitt Klossneslaug Hot pool . We were excited to finally find a remote hot pool to soak in. Oh the disappointment – the pool had had an influx of tourists – from memory the pool keeper told us 120 people over 2 hours. Result – pool drained and refilling as we arrived. Not ready for a couple of hours, so after chat with pool keeper we headed back along the road.
