Iceland review - 2004, Qupperneq 45

43 ICELAND REVIEW
Spread like a pinnate leaf over the northwest of Iceland, the West Fjords make up only one-
eighth of the country’s landmass, but more than half of the coastline. The fjords’ epic land-
scapes are largely inaccessible by car and many travellers opt instead for a ferry ride from
other parts of the mainland.
Many of the outer bay areas in the West Fjords are popular destinations for camping and
hiking enthusiasts looking for tranquil, uninhabited nature. Myths inspired by the human-
shaped rock formations told stories of trolls who tried to separate the fjords from the main-
land, resulting in the narrow connecting isthmus.
Small fishing villages punctuate the indentations in the land, with the town of Ísafjördur
being the largest. The residents of these harbour-side towns, like the cliffs that surround
them in the winters with solid walls of ice, have a hidden depth. IAM
HIDDEN DEPTH
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