Self Drive Route
Arctic Coast Way
900 km along Iceland’s remote northern coast
A slow 900 km journey through fishing villages, wildlife coastlines and the far north of Iceland.
The Arctic Coast Way is a long-form road trip rather than a route to rush. The official journey runs about 900 km between Hvammstangi and Bakkafjörður, mixing paved roads with slower gravel sections, remote peninsulas and small coastal communities. Give it at least four days and preferably five to seven, refuel before remote sections, and let weather and road conditions determine the pace.
Winter Warning
Do not treat the full Arctic Coast Way as a normal winter touring route. Snow, wind, ice and limited services can make remote coastal sections slow or impractical. Build a shorter winter itinerary around roads confirmed open on the day.
Must See
Main Highlights
Hvammstangi & Seal Country
A practical western gateway with wildlife interpretation and supplies before the longer coastal journey.
Siglufjörður
Historic herring town framed by steep mountains and one of the strongest cultural stops on the northern coast.
Raufarhöfn
A remote far-north village that captures the scale and solitude of the outer coast.
Along the Route
Stops & Highlights
7 must-see locations
Hvammstangi & Icelandic Seal Centre
Small North Iceland town with Iceland's only dedicated seal research centre, on the Vatnsnes peninsula.
Start with fuel, supplies and the seal-centre area.
Sauðárkrókur Town
North Iceland's second-largest town, a fishing and agricultural hub in Skagafjörður.
Useful service hub and overnight option.
Siglufjörður — Herring Capital
Dramatic remote fjord town that was once Iceland's most valuable fishing port during the great herring boom of the 20th century.
Allow enough time for the harbour, museum and town rather than treating it as a photo stop.
Dalvík
A vibrant fishing town beneath Tröllaskagi, your gateway to Grímsey and thrilling whale watching.
Good whale-watching and service stop on Eyjafjörður.
Húsavík
Húsavík, Iceland's charming whale-watching capital, boasts a vibrant harbor and a distinctive church against verdant hills.
Allow several hours if whale watching is part of the plan; otherwise use the town for harbour, food and services.
Raufarhöfn — Iceland's Northernmost Village
Iceland's northernmost mainland village with Arctic Circle monument and midnight sun views.
Remote far-north stop; refuel before or after long rural sections when services are available.
Bakkafjörður
Bakkafjörður offers a tranquil escape with vibrant green landscapes, a charming fishing village, and abundant birdlife along its sapphire waters.
Eastern endpoint area of the route; use it as a slow coastal finish rather than a quick turnaround.
Day Plan
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Hvammstangi → Sauðárkrókur
Begin with wildlife and supplies, then ease into the coastal route without overloading the first day.
Day 2
Tröllaskagi: Siglufjörður & Dalvík
Give the mountain-and-fjord section a full day with time in the towns.
Day 3
Eyjafjörður → Húsavík
Use Húsavík as a major service and activity stop.
Day 4
Northeast coast → Raufarhöfn
Expect slower rural driving and fewer services.
Day 5
Raufarhöfn → Bakkafjörður
Finish the eastern coastal section with plenty of weather and fuel margin.
Self-Drive Plans
Alternative Itinerary Options
Choose the plan that fits your schedule.
5-Day Arctic Coast Way
5 daysA balanced pace for the official coastal route with time for communities and wildlife stops.
Do not judge driving time from distance alone; gravel and narrow roads slow the route.
7-Day Slow Arctic Coast Way
7 daysBest for wildlife, museums, coastal walks and relaxed overnight stops without turning every day into a transfer.
Use the extra days as weather margin and to spend meaningful time in the coastal communities.
Before You Go
Practical Information
Trip Duration
4–7 days
Starting Point
Hvammstangi
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through early autumn gives the best combination of daylight, open services and manageable road conditions. The full coastal route is best treated as a May–September journey; outside that period, shorten the itinerary and check road and weather conditions before every remote section.
Road Conditions
The route combines normal paved roads with slower gravel and rural coastal sections. A standard car can cover the normal route in good summer conditions, but drive more slowly on gravel and check current road status before remote peninsulas.
Weather
The north coast is exposed to wind, fog and rapid weather changes. Conditions can differ markedly between neighbouring peninsulas and fjords.
Fuel
Refuel regularly in the larger towns. Do not wait for the warning light before a remote coastal section because services and opening hours are more limited than on Route 1.
Food
Plan meals around the larger villages and towns and carry snacks and water for long rural sections. Seasonal cafés may have reduced hours outside midsummer.
Parking
Use designated parking in towns, harbours and signed visitor areas. On narrow coastal and gravel roads, never stop in the carriageway or on blind bends for photos.
Toilets
Facilities are available in towns and selected attractions, but long rural stretches may have none. Use facilities when available and plan ahead.
Safety
Slow down on gravel, watch for sheep and wildlife, stay back from cliff edges and surf, and never drive onto closed or unsigned tracks.
Accessibility
Town and harbour stops are generally easier than beaches, cliffs and wildlife viewpoints, where gravel, slopes and uneven ground are common.
Winter Driving
Winter driving can involve snow, ice, strong wind and reduced services. A full 900 km touring itinerary is best saved for the main travel season.
Opening Hours
Many communities are year-round, but museums, cafés, wildlife services and some visitor facilities are seasonal. Check individual opening times before building a day around them.
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Tours & Activities
8 hoursLake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyri
Imagine Iceland Travel
From
23,000 ISK
6 hoursLake Mývatn Shore Excursion from Akureyri Port
Iceland Horizon - Saga Travel - GeoIceland
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23,000 ISK
8 hours4x4 Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyri
Imagine Iceland Travel
From
34,800 ISK
6 hoursLake Mývatn Shore Excursion from Akureyri Port - Italian
Iceland Horizon - Saga Travel - GeoIceland
From
23,000 ISK
6 hoursLake Mývatn Shore Excursion from Akureyri Port - Spanish
Iceland Horizon - Saga Travel - GeoIceland
From
23,000 ISK
3 hoursAkureyri Classic Whale Watching
Elding Adventure at Sea
From
14,500 ISK
Insider Knowledge
Travel Tips
Do not try to rush the full 900 km route.
Expect gravel sections and longer driving times than the map suggests.
Refuel regularly before remote peninsula sections.
Carry food and water for long rural stretches where opening hours are limited.
Use five to seven days if wildlife, museums or whale watching are priorities.
Check road and weather conditions before each day rather than relying on a week-old forecast.
Fun Facts
Did You Know?
The Arctic Coast Way is an official scenic route of roughly 900 km.
The route is designed to make the remote north coast a destination rather than simply a transit section of Route 1.
Several sections are best appreciated slowly because gravel, wildlife stops and coastal detours make driving times longer than distance alone suggests.
Nearby
Nearby Attractions
Hvammstangi & Icelandic Seal Centre
Small North Iceland town with Iceland's only dedicated seal research centre, on the Vatnsnes peninsula.
Siglufjörður — Herring Capital
Dramatic remote fjord town that was once Iceland's most valuable fishing port during the great herring boom of the 20th century.
Húsavík
Húsavík, Iceland's charming whale-watching capital, boasts a vibrant harbor and a distinctive church against verdant hills.
Raufarhöfn — Iceland's Northernmost Village
Iceland's northernmost mainland village with Arctic Circle monument and midnight sun views.
Bakkafjörður
Bakkafjörður offers a tranquil escape with vibrant green landscapes, a charming fishing village, and abundant birdlife along its sapphire waters.
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Common Questions
FAQ
How long should I allow for the Arctic Coast Way?+
Allow at least four days; five to seven days gives a much better experience with time for villages, wildlife and detours.
Do I need a 4x4?+
Not necessarily for the standard route in good summer conditions, but a higher-clearance vehicle can be more comfortable on rougher gravel sections.
Is the Arctic Coast Way paved?+
No. The route includes both paved roads and gravel sections, so allow more time than the distance alone suggests.
Can I drive the full route in winter?+
A full winter touring itinerary is not the recommended default. Weather, snow, ice and reduced services can make remote sections difficult or impractical.
Where should I refuel?+
Refuel whenever you pass a larger service town and before remote peninsula sections. Do not assume every small community has fuel available at all hours.
Can I combine this route with the Diamond Circle?+
Yes. Húsavík and northeast Iceland make a natural connection, but add time rather than trying to compress both routes into the same day.
Want to customise this route?
Build your own Arctic Coast Way itinerary with our AI Trip Planner. Add stops, hotels, tours and get a full cost breakdown.
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