Valagil Ravine: A Lava-Walled Waterfall Hike in Álftafjörður

If you want a genuine Westfjords hike without committing to the long haul out to Dynjandi, the Valagil ravine hike is one of the best short outings near Ísafjörður. It sits at the landward end of Álftafjörður, a fjord you pass through on the road south of town, and it rewards a mostly flat walk with a waterfall that drops over layers of ancient lava.

What Valagil Is

Valagil is a narrow gorge cut into stacked, ancient lava at the head of Álftafjörður, with a waterfall spilling down its far wall. The name is usually read as “falcon gorge” (valur means falcon), though a grimmer local legend attaches it to a woman named Vala. Either way, the appeal is the same: a steep-sided canyon of layered rock that feels far more remote than the short, easy approach suggests. Because most Westfjords visitors point straight at Dynjandi, Valagil stays comparatively quiet even in high summer.

The Hike

The trail starts at a small parking area off Route 61 at the very end of Álftafjörður, roughly 9 km south of Súðavík. From the car park it is about 2 km to the falls along a mostly flat fjord-floor path, marked with blue posts. Reckon on about 30 to 40 minutes each way for the core walk, or a fuller loop of roughly 1.5 to 2 hours if you carry on past the main waterfall to the smaller ravine beyond it.

The going is straightforward to the falls, with a few small stream crossings on the way. Beyond the main waterfall the ground turns soft and can be slippery on the short uphill sections, and the markings get fainter the higher you go. A pedestrian footbridge crosses the river downstream, letting you reach the opposite bank for a clearer view into the gorge, since you cannot get right up to the waterfall itself.

Practical Details

• Getting there: About 30 km / roughly 30 minutes’ drive south from Ísafjörður on Route 61, through Súðavík; the trailhead parking is at the end of Álftafjörður.
• Duration: About 30–40 minutes each way to the falls (around 2 km); a fuller loop past the ravine runs roughly 1.5–2 hours.
• What to bring: Waterproof boots with good grip for the stream crossings and soft ground, plus a windproof layer — the fjord head is exposed.
• When to go: Best from about June to September, when the path is snow-free; go earlier in the day for calmer conditions and to have the ravine to yourself.

Where to Stay

The Ísafjörður Inn sits in the centre of Ísafjörður, the capital of the Westfjords, within walking distance of the harbour, pool and restaurants — and just a short drive from the Route 61 trailhead, so you can reach Valagil in about half an hour and still be back in town for dinner. That makes it a practical base for hikes around the northern Westfjords rather than a spot you only pass through. Book direct on Ourhotels.is for the best rate.

Photo: David Stanley via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.