Peaks and Mines

You'll experience Bolafjall sky walk, enjoy the views of steep cliffs and endless North Atlantic Ocean with Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the far distance. Also, you will have a chance to learn about a key piece of NATO's monitoring infrastructure located on the mountain. After walking into the sky, we will head for a short hike to explore the old and abandoned lignite mine in Syðridalur. This tour is perfect for those who appreciate dramatic landscapes and historical curiosities.

At 628m, the Bolafjall platform spectacularly overlooks the Djúpið or Isafjörður deep. The long inlet marks the watery borders of inhabited and unpopulated land the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve without a single road. NATO radar station is also situated at the summit of Bolafjall. The station was built by the Americans but is now controlled by the Icelandic coast guard.

Syðridalur in Bolungarvík is known for an old lignite mine which is situated in the valley. Lignite was mined from the mine in the years of 1917 until 1921 or while and after the first World War. The reason why the mining was shut down is because coal from Europe became more accessible after the war. To get into the mine you almost have to crawl, but once you're in the ceiling gets higher and you can stand upright. The walk up to the mine takes around 20-25 minutes on a marked trail.

1. Departure from Isafjörður: 09:00.

• 09:00 AM: Depart from Isafjörður. It's a 25 km drive to the top of Mt. Bolafjall. Along the way, enjoy the scenic views of the Westfjords.

2. Arrival at Bolafjall Sky Walk: 09:30.

• 09:30 AM: Arrive at the Bolafjall viewing platform.
  • Walk to the edge of the 60-tonne steel platform suspended above the cliff.
  • Take in the breathtaking views of the Djúpið (Ísafjarðardjúp).
  • Observe the contrast between the inhabited lands and the unpopulated Hornstrandir Nature Reserve.
  • Learn about the NATO radar station perched on the mountain, scanning the Atlantic airspace.

3. Drive to Syðridalur: 10:30.

• 10:30 AM: Depart from Bolafjall and drive towards Syðridalur valley, approximately 20 minutes away.

4. Exploration of Gilsnáma Lignite Mine: 10:50.

• 10:50 AM: Arrive at the trailhead leading to the Gilsnáma lignite mine.
  • Begin the 20-25 minute walk to the mine along the marked trail.
  • Learn about the history of lignite mining in Iceland from 1917 to 1921 and why it ceased after World War I.
  • Crawl into the Gilsnáma mine and stand upright inside. Observe mining equipment such as hammers, and a scale still present in the mine.
  • Have a little lunch on the trail while enjoying stunning landscapes around you and beautiful waterfall running right next to the mine.

5. Return to Isafjörður.

• 12:20 PM: Begin the return walk to the vehicle.
  • Drive back to Isafjörður, arriving around 1:00 PM, concluding the tour.

Key Tips:

• Dress warmly and in layers, as the mountain is notoriously windy.
• Wear sturdy footwear suitable for walking on uneven terrain and crawling in the mine.
• Bring a flashlight or headlamp for exploring inside the mines.
• A camera or smartphone is a must for capturing stunning views from the Bolafjall platform.