Description
Summary
Description
Discover the natural beauty and rich history of Iceland's Westfjords in an adventurous way by booking this peaks and mines adventure from Isafjordur. This four-hour adventure takes travelers to the Bolafjall sky walk to enjoy majestic views before heading to Sydridalur to explore the Gilsnama lignite mine.
Your thrilling day begins when you meet your friendly local guide for the tour. You'll then ride a comfortable vehicle that will take you to the top of Mount Bolafjall. To ensure your safety, the vehicle has features that allow it to navigate the challenging terrain of the Westfjords.
Along the way, you'll enjoy scenic views of the Westfjords, which are some of the country's untouched landscapes. You'll see the towering fjords surrounded by steep, craggy mountains that plunge into the North Atlantic Ocean.
You'll enjoy the striking contrast of the land and sea while the peaceful blue waters reflect the rugged cliffs and lush green hillsides. In winter, you'll see snow covering the peaks, which is a sight to behold.
Upon arriving at Mount Bolafjall, you'll alight from the vehicle and head toward its viewing platform, which is made of steel for the Bolafjall sky walk. Suspended above the cliff of Mount Bolafjall, the 60-tonne viewing platform offers dramatic landscapes and unparalleled views. Mount Bolafjall stands 2,093 feet (683 meters), and from the platform, you can enjoy overlooking views of Isafjordur, home to the largest settlement in the Westfjords.
You'll also see Isafjordur's watery borders, while from afar, you'll get a glimpse of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve and its sweeping fjords, lush green meadows, and dramatic cliffs. As you enjoy the views, you'll notice the striking contrast between the Westfjords' inhabited lands and the unpopulated area of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve.
In addition, you'll see the NATO radar station perched near Mount Bolafjall's summit. Constructed during the Cold War, the station was part of a broader NATO initiative to monitor airspace in the North Atlantic.
After enjoying the awe-inspiring views at Mount Bolafjall, you'll head to Sydridalur valley to see the Gilsnama lignite mine. The mine represents a lesser-known chapter of the country's history with natural resources and energy production when Iceland relied heavily on local resources before transitioning to renewable energy sources.
Though Gilsnama is largely abandoned, the site and surrounding area continue to attract history buffs and geology enthusiasts. As you reach the area, you'll walk along the marked trail that leads into the lignite mine.
You'll crawl deep into the mine and stand upright once you reach inside. Interestingly, mining equipment like hammers and a scale used during Gilsnama's heyday between 1917 and 1921 can still be found inside.
You'll also stop for lunch along the trail while enjoying the neighboring waterfall and the captivating landscapes of the Westfjords.
At the end of the thrilling tour, you'll return to the vehicle for the ride back to Isafjordur.
Don't miss this chance to see the beauty of the Westfjords while learning about an important part of this history by booking this adventure. Check availability now by choosing a date.
