Instead of sticking to the traditional Ring Road heading west from Akureyri, this route takes the scenic way along Iceland‘s beautiful North Coast. From Akureyri, Routes 82, 76, and 73 wind around the beautiful Tröllaskagi Peninsula, passing quiet fishing villages, colorful harbors, rugged mountains, and breathtaking coastal views before rejoining Route 1 near Blönduós.
As you leave the Ring Road behind and head deeper into the Westfjords, the landscape becomes increasingly wild and remote. From there, Routes 59 and 60 continue into the Westfjords, where winding coastal roads, deep fjords, and spectacular mountain passes eventually lead to the magnificent Dynjandi waterfall.
This drive is all about the journey, and the transition on the drive is spectacular. Every section feels different, making it one of the most memorable drives of our Iceland road trip.
Here are a lot of photos we captured along the scenic drive through Northern Iceland and the Westfjords.
View of Akureyri from Route 1 viewpoint.
View of Akureyri from Route 1 viewpoint
Cruise ship docked in Akureyri.
A wide view of Akureyri harbor and town set against misty Icelandic mountains.
View along Route 1 near Akureyri.
View along Route 1 near Safnasafnið with views across Eyjafjörður toward Akureyri.
Near Akureyri, Route 1
Route 1, near Akureyri.
Waterfront view of Eyjafjörður from Route 1 in Akureyri town.
Waterfront view of Eyjafjörður from Route 1 in Akureyri town.
Regional map boards and viewpoint stop along Route 1 in Akureyri.
Passing the Glerártorg shopping center while driving through Akureyri town.
Akureyri’s signature heart-shaped red traffic lights at a town road junction.
Roadside farewell sign featuring Akureyri’s iconic heart as you exit the town.
Driving along Route 82 toward Dalvík through the North Iceland countryside.
Scenic coastal view along Route 82 looking across Eyjafjörður toward snow-capped peaks.
Rolling countryside and distant mountain ranges framed by native flora along Route 82.
View across Eyjafjörður of a coastal village, Routr 82
Red-roofed Icelandic farm buildings set against Eyjafjörður’s mountain backdrop.
View along Route 82
Driving along Route 82 with dramatic views of snow-streaked mountains ahead.
View along Route 82
Driving along Route 82 with dramatic views of snow-streaked mountains ahead.
Approaching Dalvík along Route 82.
Entering the coastal town of Dalvík along Route 82 in North Iceland.
Street view in Dalvík featuring vibrant local buildings backed by massive, snow-streaked mountains.
Town view in Dalvík set against the steep slopes of the surrounding mountain ranges.
Scenic road along the coastline leaving Dalvík with sweeping views of Eyjafjörður.
Rural road junction near Árhóll, Route 82
A solitary red house overlooking Eyjafjörður, near Dalvík.
Bright yellow buttercups along Route 82 near Dalvík.
Scenic highway along Route 82 cutting through lush green valleys beneath snow-patched mountain peaks.
Picturesque coastal driving along Route 82 between Dalvík and Ólafsfjörður.
Mígandifoss, view along Route 82.
Route 82 winding along the mountainside approaching the Múlagöng tunnel entrance.
Múlagöng tunnel
Emerging from the tunnel toward Ólafsfjörður, surrounded by lupines and mountain scenery.
Coastal road to Ólafsfjörður with purple lupines, Route 82
Coastal road to Ólafsfjörður with purple lupines, Route 82
Entering the coastal town of Ólafsfjörður on Route 82, with speed limit signs leading into town beneath high snow-patched mountains.
Residential street view in Ólafsfjörður framed by dramatic mountain peaks.
Charming home in Ólafsfjörður set against steep, snow-patched mountains, North Iceland
Entering the 6.9 km Héðinsfjarðargöng tunnel from Ólafsfjörður, Route 76.
Akureyri to Ólafsfjörður: Routes 1 and 82
Entrance to the 3.7 km Héðinsfjarðargöng II tunnel on Route 76.
Lush valley and stream in Héðinsfjörður along Route 76.
Snow-capped peak and waterfalls along Route 76.
Scenic pull-off on Route 76 in Héðinsfjörður.
A roadside stop in the Héðinsfjörður tunnel corridor along Route 76, between Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður
Entrance to the 3.7 km Héðinsfjarðargöng II tunnel on Route 76.
Route 76 framed by purple lupines in Siglufjörður valley.
Driving through lupine fields along Route 76 toward Siglufjörður.
Summer lupines lining Route 76 in Siglufjörður.
Approaching Siglufjörður town along Route 76.
Purple lupines overlooking Siglufjörður.
Siglufjörður harbor nestled at the base of the mountains.
Summer view of Siglufjörður town across the fjord.
A peaceful mountain landscape near Siglufjörður.
The scenic coastal town of Siglufjörður framed by steep mountains.
Kayaks lined up near the waterfront in Siglufjörður.
Lupine flowers blooming along the Siglufjörður shoreline.
The scenic coastal town of Siglufjörður framed by steep mountains.
A peaceful mountain landscape near Siglufjörður.
Avalanche protection barriers installed high on the steep slopes above Siglufjörður.
Quiet street in Siglufjörður town center with mountain views.
Historic red-painted wooden building on the harbor front in Siglufjörður.
Lush green valley and dramatic mountains framed by coastal waters along Route 76.
Winding stretch of Route 76 passing through scenic mountain terrain in North Iceland.
View along Route 76
Driving along Route 76 past lupine-covered hillsides and coastal traffic signs near Siglufjörður.
A sheep grazing beside Route 76 with blooming lupines along the mountain slopes.
The entrance to the Strákagöng tunnel cut into the rocky cliffs of North Iceland.
Following a camper van along the scenic coastal cliffs of Route 76.
View along Route 76
The bright orange Kálfshamarsvík lighthouse, Route 76
Sheep grazing on open green pastures along the coastal farmlands, Route 76
Cruising past green mountain slopes on the quiet coastal stretch of Route 76.
Route 76 cutting through a green valley towards snow-dusted mountain peaks.
Sheep running along the roadside on a scenic coastal bend of Route 76.
A pair of sheep casually crossing Route 76 along the northern coast.
Scenic curves along Route 76 offering wide views of the fjord and surrounding mountains.
Driving along the edge of the fjord with dramatic mountain peaks on the horizon.
Tranquil lake waters reflecting the surrounding green valley and rugged northern mountains.
A rural farmstead with grazing sheep nestled beneath snow-dusted mountains.
Swans swimming in calm waters along Route 76
Driving down a long, straight stretch of Route 76 toward flat-topped coastal mountains.
Passing colorful farmhouses framed by dramatic mountain backdrops along Route 76.
Purple lupines carpet the landscape along Route 76 on Iceland’s Tröllaskagi Peninsula
View along Route 76
Sandbar, lagoon, and ocean views on Route 76.
Coastal pastures offering views of the blue fjord and distant islands.
Coastal pastures , View along Route 76
View along Route 76
A road sign along Route 76 marks the turnoff for Route 77 toward Hofsós.
Approaching the quiet coastal village of Hofsós along Route 76.
Houses and coastal buildings sit below a prominent, rounded mountain near Hofsós.
Blue-spired Hofskirkja overlooking the fjords at Hofsós.
Hofsós Town, Route 76
Grassy cliffs and dark basalt column formations along the Hofsós coastline.
The Hofsóskirkja stands gracefully in front snow-dusted mountains.
Siglufjörður to Hofsós: Routes 76, 75, and 73
Open grassy plains stretch toward snow-dusted mountain ranges along Route 73
View along Route 73
View along Route 73
Blönduöskirkja’s striking, modern architectural design sits atop a grassy hill in Blönduós.
A winding road toward the fjords on Route 75.
Icelandic horses grazing along the Ring Road in North Iceland.
Coastline carpets of yellow, Ring Road, North Iceland
A splash of yellow against the blue coast, Route 1, Northwest Iceland
Rolling open roads winding through the quiet countryside along Route 59
A winding descent through the steep valleys of Route 60.
Route 60 winding through the steep valleys of the Westfjords.
Wrapped hay bales scattered across the lush green farmland along Route 60
View along Route 60
Following the fjord’s edge on Route 60.
Driving straight across the fjord causeway along Route 60
Route 60 descending toward the fjord crossing ahead.
Gravel stretches and small bridges beneath the cliffs of Route 60.
The Djúpá river winding through Djúpidalur valley on Route 60.
The turnoff to the quiet Djúpidalur valley.
Climbing the gravel mountain pass on Route 60.
Smooth paving following the edge of the fjord along Route 60
Gazing across the water at distant mountain streams along Route 60
The sweeping curve of the causeway crossing the fjord along Route 60
View along Route 60
View along Route 60
Driving through high-elevation mountain passes with lingering snow along Route 60.
Blönduós to Dyjandi: Routes 73, 1, 59 and 60
Along the way, there are plenty of memorable stops, from scenic viewpoints and winding mountain passes to dramatic coastal roads, cascading waterfalls, charming fishing villages, historic sites, colorful harbors, beautiful beaches, and peaceful fjords.
Covering approximately 550 km (about 7 hours of driving without stops), this route showcases a quieter, less-traveled side of Iceland.
Driving Time: Around 7 hours without sightseeing stops.
Fuel: Gas stations are available in Akureyri, Dalvík, Siglufjörður, Hofsós, Sauðárkrókur, Blönduós, Flókalundur, and a few larger towns along the route. Fill up whenever you have the chance, especially before entering the more remote parts of the Westfjords.
Food & Cafes: Restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, and bakeries can be found in Akureyri, Siglufjörður, Blönduós, and several fishing villages along the route. Once you enter the Westfjords, options become much more limited, so carrying snacks and water is a good idea.
Accommodation: Hotels, guesthouses, cabins, and campsites are scattered throughout Akureyri, Siglufjörður, Blönduós, Búðardalur, and the Westfjords.
Road Conditions: This route includes a mix of paved roads, gravel roads, mountain passes, and winding coastal sections. Some Westfjords roads are narrow and weather conditions can change quickly. Always check current road conditions (road.is) and weather forecasts (vedur.is) before heading out.
Suggested Time: Allow at least one full day, make use of summer long sunlight hours, to enjoy the scenic viewpoints, fishing villages, coastal landscapes, and Dynjandi waterfall without rushing. More time is recommended if you want to explore the Westfjords at a slower pace.
Wow, Iceland is so incredibly beautiful!! I always love to see your wonderful photos. I am surprised to see an H&M store there. Thanks for sharing the beauty of Iceland!! ❤️
Lovely sceneries, Jyothi! I enjoyed looking at the awesomeness during the whole drive from Akureyri to Dynjandi; beautiful sceneries, gorgeous flowers and waters, and much more. 🤩
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