Hiking for a cause: A map of Hvalá in the Westfjords of Iceland

A challenge identified early in the project to protect the Westfjords of Iceland was that it can be difficult to get people to care about a place they can’t get to easily. It’s hard to explain the expansive beauty--the feeling like you’re on the edge of the world--to someone who hasn’t experienced it themselves.

Sure, this place is worth saving regardless of whether you can see it with your own eyes, but we knew that getting more people into the Westfjords, and especially the Hvalá area, could only help our cause.

So, we worked with our partners in Iceland to create a hiking map of the area. Complete with information about the region’s history on the reverse, this printed map is available locally via the Icelandic Touring Association and for anyone interested in visiting the area’s many waterfalls, fossils and breathtaking vistas. Many of the most impressive features on these hiking routes have been known to locals in the area for ages, and this project is bringing attention to these unique attractions to those outside of that tight knit community for the first time.

Eco-tourism, including hiking, presents an economic future that supports the local environment and the communities that call it home. As more people experience the Hvalá area firsthand, the more we anticipate awareness and a desire to protect the area to expand. This new map will help people better understand--and experience firsthand--what’s at risk of being lost to dams and hydroelectric power plant projects in this area. We hope this knowledge will inspire Iceland (and the world) to speak out for the protection of Hvalá.

Thinking of visiting yourself? Remember that this area is remote, so plan ahead! And, respect the landscapes, wildlife and people you encounter there. 

Want a copy of the map in English? Download here.