About

Hvalfjörður is a 30 km long fjord on Iceland's west coast, located approximately 45 km north of Reykjavík. The fjord cuts deeply inland between steep mountains, with the highest peaks reaching over 1,000 metres. The fjord's name means 'Whale Fjord,' referring to historical whaling activity in the area. Until recently, Iceland's last whaling station operated at Hvalfjörður, though it has since closed. Hvalfjörður is best known for: **Glymur waterfall**: Iceland's second-highest waterfall (198 m), accessible via a challenging 7 km hike along the fjord's north shore. **WWII Naval Base**: Remnants of the Allied naval base, including Nissen huts and harbor structures, still visible today. **Hvalfjörður Tunnel**: Opened in 1998, the 5.8 km tunnel under the fjord mouth allows Ring Road traffic to bypass the long coastal route. The old coastal road (Route 47) remains open and offers a scenic alternative to the tunnel, passing small farms, churches and bays. The drive takes about 1 hour compared to 10 minutes through the tunnel, but offers far more to see. The fjord is also home to a large geothermal power plant at Reykjanesbær.

📖 Story

Hvalfjörður played a crucial but quiet role in World War II. British and later American forces established a major naval base here to protect Atlantic convoys from German U-boats. Thousands of Allied sailors passed through this remote Icelandic fjord during the war years. After the war, Route 1 ran along the entire 60+ km fjord shoreline — until 1998 when a 6 km tunnel was built, bypassing the fjord entirely. Today it's a peaceful detour off the modern highway, where you can hike to Iceland's second-tallest waterfall and explore the remains of the wartime base.

Key Facts