Raudasandur beach
Raudasandur Beach is a very long sandy beach with red sand. The shade of the coast, depending on the time of day and the direction of the light, changes its shades from pinkish and peach to red. 10 km of the coastal line of the Westfirdir Peninsula in its southwestern part. The nearest village of Patrexfjordur, is about 20 km away.
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Beach description
A beautiful natural sight that many people go for many miles for to admire. An oasis of serenity and tranquility. In addition, there is a feeling of unity with nature. There may not be a single soul for many kilometers around. Few travelers are left alone with the majestic black cliffs and the endless blue ocean. Rock Latrabjarg is Europe's largest refuge where seabirds nest. Here you can see millions of loons and northern puffins. Fur seals crawl out onto small islands to warm their bodies. The cliffs of the westernmost part of the European continent rise at 400 m.
The unusual color of the coast is due to the presence in the sand of the remains of scallop shells that have been accumulating here for centuries. The whole landscape seems endless and fantastic.
You can’t relax on the red sand in the usual way. It is cold here, the ocean is not conducive to water procedures. The maximum average temperatures of water and air do not exceed 12 degrees. There is only one small cafe for convenience or entertainment. Sitting over a cup of coffee in good weather, you will be able to observe the road that runs through the entire Sefelsnes peninsula and the Snafelshokul glacier in the background.
A gravel road leads to the beach, which is notable for its small width and tortuosity. The last segment is under a steep slope, therefore, being an inexperienced driver or in difficult weather conditions, it is better not to risk it. Visiting Roundsandur is much more convenient in the summer.
When is it better to go?
"Summer" with a temperature in the region of +10 degrees lasts up to 3 months. The best time to travel is from July to August when last year’s snows have already disappeared, and tourists enjoy the Martian landscapes, fjords, and glaciers on "white" nights. Since September, the daytime is declined, public transport activity drops, and nature gives fewer smiles. Due to the unpredictability of the climate, it is worth stocking up a raincoat and windproof clothing. The Gulf Stream helps warm green meadows and a mass of rare birds.
Video: Beach Raudasandur
Infrastructure
Travelers arrive at Melanes camping, which is able to provide minimal amenities and good proximity to the wild, to be located near the bird settlements on the rocks.
More comfortable accommodation awaits tourists in the family Hotel Latrabjarg, 3*. The road to it takes about half an hour from the beach. Heated, warm rooms, private bathroom, breakfast buffet, and multi-course dinner offer. The hotel boasts with a beautiful location, closest to pristine places, stables, noisy bazaars of sea birds.
Raudasandura is located far from the main benefits of civilization, here tourists enjoy loneliness, silence, fantastic natural views. There are no nightclubs nearby. The organization of horseback riding or the purchase of a fishing license must be agreed with the hotel.
Adults and children are happy to engage in adventures, watch black and red sands, whales and seals, stare at real geysers and fantastic glaciers. But for children under 4 years old, a trip to Iceland is unlikely to seem entertaining.
It must also be taken into account that in the summer in the Western Fjords it is light almost all day, but since mid-November, the “day” lasts only a couple of hours in a day. The main occupations of travelers in this sparsely populated area are skiing down the slopes, swimming in geothermal springs, observing the northern lights, cross-country skiing, visiting the golf club.
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- There are approaches to Roundsundur on both sides of the beach. Leaving the car in the parking lot a few kilometers from the shore, you can take a map on which it is indicated that those who can get down the steep mountain slope and then cross the shallow rivulet with ice water will succeed in reaching red sands.
- During short days of light, storms and winds, flight tickets become more accessible, hotel rooms and car rental costs become cheaper. “Out of season” is a great opportunity to relax economically. There are fewer people in the most popular places, the opportunities for a good look and photograph are increasing.
What to visit and what to do:
- Gyotur Folk Museum.
- Just pools and geothermal.
- Sjund’s farm with its sensational crime love story.
- Golf Club.
- From May to August - excursions to the cliff of seabirds.
- Visit Arnarfjordur, the second largest fjord in the country.
- Art Museum and Church of the People's Artist Samuel Jonsson.