Dynjandi Waterfall is tucked away in a region of Iceland that doesn’t get so many visitors. The remote Westfjords is in the far northwest of the country. It is a large peninsular of sorts. But what marks it apart and what gives it its name are its many spectacular fjords. The whole peninsular is cut in with dramatic and steep sided fjords. It is a wild place with a tiny population and vast expanses of untamed land. High mountains rise up in the southern portion and there are very few roads.
Dynjandi Waterfall is without doubt the most spectacular waterfall in the Westfjords. It is also the largest waterfall in the Westfjords region at an impressive 100 meters in height. It is then 30 meters across at the top and 60 meters wide at the bottom. It is actually a series of waterfalls combined that fan out at the bottom like a white dove’s tail feathers. To others it looks like a bridal veil of white chiffon rippling down the mountainside. Dynjandi translates as Thunderous. As well as this name it is sometimes referred to as Mountain Falls.
Dynjandi Waterfall location and how to get there
Dynjandi Waterfall is located in the Dynjandisvogur bay along the Arnarfjörður fjord in the central west of the Westfjords. This is the largest fjord in the area and is known as the sea monster fjord.
To get to the falls you will need to have plenty of time for a self-drive adventure. Hiring a motorhome is the perfect way to explore the area. You will find several good campsites but none the less they are relatively few and far between. This means that you can expect to spend a significant amount of time behind the wheel. So do settle in for a proper road trip.
As the name suggests the whole area is full of fjords. And in this remote land there are few bridges and tunnels to shorten the distances. The low population just doesn’t warrant it. This means that the few roads there are follow very long zigzag routes in and out along the ocean fjords. Despite the time spent driving the views are spectacular so it is well worth it.
To get to the Westfords itself you could drive there approaching from the north or south. Or you could catch one of the few Iceland ferries there from the far north of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
When to visit the Dynjandi Waterfall
Visiting the Dynjandi Waterfall is a summer season adventure only. For a self-drive trip you should hire a camper van between the months of June and August. The region could well be accessible in May or September also but it depends on the year. Iceland’s weather is unpredictable and particularly wild in the north of the country.
The area is most certainly all but cut-off in the winter months. Especially in the south where there are many high mountain passes that become completely impassable once the snows set in. When it comes to tourism the Westfjords of Iceland in winter are only for the intrepid off-piste snow adventurer. And only with a very experienced guide who knows the area well. Plus a helicopter!
How difficult is the hike to the waterfall?
To arrive at this most beautiful waterfall in Iceland you will need to take a short hike. It takes about 15 minutes to walk there from the parking lot and it is uphill. You can easily spend a leisurely half an hour on the walk though. There are many smaller waterfalls to enjoy on the way up from the car park.
Once you arrive at the foot of the main attraction you will be stopped in your tracks. The scale and spectacle of the waterfall is stunning. From there you can decide whether to make the final climb to the very top for a different perspective.
As with anywhere in Iceland you should always stay on the designated paths. This is partly for your own safety. But it is also so that your heavy walking boots don’t damage the delicate vegetation. It gets a hard time growing in the harsh conditions of Iceland. So once the mosses and grasses have taken root we must all protect them.
Where to stay nearby and other things to do nearby
When it comes to camping there are a few campsites under a one-hour drive from the falls. Tjaldsvæðið Flókalundi to the south is the closest at about forty minutes. Then to the north Þingeyraroddi Camping Ground takes just under an hour.
For things to do nearby you might be interested in seeing the remains of a farm around the base of the falls. You will see several mounds where the turf houses used to stand. The area is so isolated it is hard to imagine the lifestyle of the people that lived and farmed here. For those curious about how the Arnarfjörður fjord got its name then head to the nearby village of Bíldudalur. In this tiny village you will find the Sea Monster Museum and all will be revealed.
