For a golden blanket of sand, make your way to Rauðasandur at the remote southern edge of the Icelandic Westfjords. Pulverised scallop shells are what gives this enchanting beach its velvet colours, which contrast sharply with the black surrounding cliffs and blue ocean waves.
The beach stretches ten kilometres out from Látrabjarg—a steep sea cliff that’s seasonal home to nesting puffins and one of the most visited sights in the Westfjords. On fair-weathered days, the scene offers breathtaking views where one can see all the way to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and its resident glacier volcano Snæfellsjökull.
Rauðasandur requires a bit of effort to get to, but you’ll appreciate the destination after having ventured the journey, which consists of braving a steep gravel road, hiking for a kilometre and wading a wide river. Less accessibility, however, provides for a surplus of peace and quiet.
