I had a short stint working at a tourist magazine in Iceland in 2017, where I would find myself jetting off here, there, and everywhere to cover various sights before returning to my Reykjavik base a few days later. It was a wonderful experience, but the frenetic nature of my zigzags across the country means there are still large patches I’ve yet to explore—including the wild, ethereal landscapes of the Westfjords. I’d spend a day exploring the dramatic, biodiverse landscapes at the remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve before heading over to the towering waterfall Dynjandi, a 328-foot thundering veil of water that fans out over the rocks as it hits the pool below. Of course, there would have to be a spell in the hot springs and a trip to one of the many fjords, but also to the beach: This highly volcanic island is known for its striking black sandy shores, but the Westfjords is home to Raudasandur, which swaps the usual charcoal sand for that with a pinky-reddish tinge. It’s here, I’m told, you’ll find some of the best whale-watching opportunities around, too. —Charley Ward, commerce writer
