Westfjords Road Trip: 4-Day Itinerary for Drivers

Iceland's Last Frontier by Road

The Westfjords contain 30% of Iceland's coastline but receive less than 5% of its tourists. The reason is simple: the roads are slow, long, and winding. There is no quick way in or out. A proper Westfjords road trip requires a minimum of 3-4 days, and most people who go say they wish they had booked a week.

But the Westfjords are the reward for that time investment. The cliffs at Látrabjarg hold millions of nesting seabirds including puffins you can photograph from two metres away. Dynjandi waterfall is the most beautiful in Iceland — and almost no one is there. The Hornstrandir nature reserve is the most remote inhabited area in Europe, accessible only by boat. And in August 2026, the Westfjords will offer the longest totality of the solar eclipse on mainland Iceland.

Road Conditions: The Honest Assessment

The Westfjords road network is a mix of paved and gravel roads, with the proportion shifting dramatically depending on which part you visit. The main arteries — Route 60 from Route 1, Route 61 along the south coast — are mostly paved. But "mostly" means 70-80%, with gravel sections appearing without warning.

The northern Westfjords (Ísafjörður to Bolungarvík, Hólmavík route) are better paved. The western and southern portions (Patreksfjörður to Látrabjarg, Rauðasandur, Dynjandi approach) include significant gravel sections.

Average driving speeds:

• Paved sections: 70-80 km/h (the speed limit is 90, but the winding roads rarely allow it)
• Gravel sections: 40-60 km/h depending on surface quality
• Mountain passes: 30-50 km/h with hairpin turns

Do you need a 4WD? Technically, no. In summer, a regular car can drive every maintained road in the Westfjords. In practice, a larger vehicle with higher clearance makes the gravel sections more comfortable and reduces the risk of stone chips. If you plan to drive to Látrabjarg or Rauðasandur, a vehicle with decent ground clearance is strongly recommended.

Suggested Itinerary: 4 Days

Day 1: Route 1 to Reykhólar / Flókalundur

Drive from Reykjavík or Borgarnes to the southern gateway of the Westfjords. The turnoff from Route 1 at Búðardalur leads to Route 60, which climbs over the Kleifaheiði pass — your first taste of Westfjords mountain driving. The pass is paved but steep, with dramatic views over Gilsfjörður.

Stay at Flókalundur (Hotel Flókalundur) or Reykhólar. Both are small, quiet, and affordable. Reykhólar has a geothermal pool worth visiting — heated by natural hot springs and rarely crowded.

Driving: ~280 km from Reykjavík, approximately 3.5-4 hours.

Day 2: Dynjandi, Patreksfjörður, Látrabjarg

The crown jewel day. Dynjandi waterfall is about 1 hour from Flókalundur on Route 60. The waterfall drops 100 metres in a series of cascading tiers shaped like a bridal veil. The walk from the car park is 15 minutes uphill. Go early — by 11am, tour buses arrive from Ísafjörður.

Continue to Patreksfjörður for fuel and lunch. Then drive to Látrabjarg (Route 612, partly gravel). The cliffs are the westernmost point of Europe and home to millions of seabirds. Between mid-June and mid-August, puffins nest in burrows along the cliff tops. They are remarkably tame — you can sit quietly on the grass and they will waddle past within arm's reach.

Stay in Patreksfjörður or Breiðavík (a beautiful remote beach with a campground and guesthouse).

Driving: ~180 km total, but expect 4-5 hours due to road conditions and stops.

Day 3: Rauðasandur, then Ísafjörður

If weather permits, detour to Rauðasandur — a rare red/golden sand beach stretching 10 km in an otherwise black-sand country. The access road is steep and narrow (gravel, 12 km), but the beach is extraordinary.

Then drive north to Ísafjörður, the capital of the Westfjords with about 2,600 residents. Route 63 along the coast is scenic but slow. Ísafjörður has the best food and accommodation in the region — Tjöruhúsið restaurant (seafood buffet in a converted harbour building) is exceptional.

Driving: ~200 km, approximately 4-5 hours.

Day 4: Ísafjörður to Hólmavík and Return

Drive east from Ísafjörður via Route 61 and Route 68 to Hólmavík, then south to rejoin Route 1 via Route 68. This is the fastest exit from the Westfjords. The road through Steingrímsfjarðarheiði is high and exposed — check road.is for conditions.

Hólmavík is a small town with an unusual Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft. Worth 30 minutes if you are passing through.

Driving: ~350 km to Reykjavík, approximately 5 hours.

Fuel Stations: Plan or Be Stranded

This is not an exaggeration. The Westfjords have fewer fuel stations than any comparable area in Iceland. The key refuelling points are:

• Reykhólar: Last fuel before the deep Westfjords if approaching from the south
• Patreksfjörður: Essential stop — N1 station. Fill the tank here.
• Bíldudalur: Small station, sometimes limited hours
• Þingeyri: Between Dynjandi and Ísafjörður
• Ísafjörður: Full N1 and Orkan stations
• Hólmavík: Last fuel in the Westfjords heading east

Rule of thumb: never pass a fuel station in the Westfjords with less than half a tank. The distance between stations can exceed 100 km of slow, winding road.

When to Visit

The Westfjords have a shorter tourist season than the rest of Iceland. Many guesthouses, restaurants, and even the Baldur ferry operate only from June through August. Dynjandi is technically accessible in winter, but the mountain roads close regularly.

The ideal window is mid-June to mid-August: puffins are nesting, roads are clear, daylight is nearly 24 hours, and the Baldur ferry runs multiple daily sailings. August 2026 is exceptional because of the solar eclipse — Látrabjarg will have the longest totality on mainland Iceland.

September is beautiful but risky. Weather deteriorates quickly, and some gravel roads may become impassable after heavy rain.