Nature & Fun in the Westfjords

WORK/PROJECT: This project is located in the beautiful Westfjords of Iceland. This is the 7^th time SEEDS has organised a workcamp with this hosts, who are a family that have taken up a former farm in the valley and are developing new work opportunities in the remote area. They live and work there all year round running diverse facilities and offering services for visitors.

The main tasks of this project is to help with fencing work in the area, including helping to  clear out old fences, repair some fences and put new ones in place. Volunteers will also do some other small tasks, aimed towards beautifying the isolated area.

The working plan will be very flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local hosts and on weather conditions. This is a very isolated place with limited mobile/internet connection.

In the evenings and during the free days there will be enough time to explore the surroundings, trekking and walking, as you will be able to rest in the natural hot tubs, bathe in the local swimming pool and discover many other surprises of this beautiful place, possibly including horseback riding on the unique Icelandic horses and kayaking in the fjords.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local housing, sleeping in a sleeping bag accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag.  

Meals will be provided and volunteers will share the duties of helping in the kitchen, preparing the meals and cleaning up. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The workcamp will take place in the Westfjords at the north-western part of Iceland. This area in the Western fjords is famed for its beautiful landscape and friendly weather with sunny summers.

The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is made by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills. In the area you will be able to explore the whole range of Icelandic flora from the shore and meadows, through birch to mossy moors. On the shore, one can see birds, seals, whales and then an occasional arctic fox around the sheep.

Fishing is traditionally the main industry in the region but tourism started to be more and more important as local and foreign visitors are discovering this region in rising numbers.

The distances to the next town and villages are 130 Km to Ísafjörður and 90 Km to Hólmavík. The Westfjords account for 10% of the country’s surface but only about 8000 people live there, so it is one of the least populated areas of Europe.

Hiking in this beautiful area is very impressive and an inspection of the coastline by walking or kayaking is an inspiring option, this provides a full variety of opportunities for volunteers and visitors.

LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp, high proficiency is not required.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF).  Domestic airport is Ísafjörður (IFJ).

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp site and vice versa. Apart from being cheaper and more convenient, it allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 140 (Euros) to be paid to SEEDS on arrival.  

The workcamp is located at a place of extreme beauty and isolation. SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to visit the local pool and weather allows, horseback riding and kayaking around a seal colony can be organised.

Volunteers need to be prepared for physical and outdoor work in this workcamp. Volunteers should be motivated to experience life in a very isolated part of Iceland. 

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