Sjálfakstursleiðin
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.
Meðfram leiðinni
Stöðvar og uppáhöld
7 staðir sem þarf að sjá
Hvammstangi & Icelandic Seal Centre
Small North Iceland town with Iceland's only dedicated seal research centre, on the Vatnsnes peninsula.
Sauðárkrókur Town
North Iceland's second-largest town, a fishing and agricultural hub in Skagafjörður.
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.
Dalvík
Dalvík er heillandi sjávarbær staðsettur á vesturströnd Eyjafjarðar, við mynni frjósama Svarfaðardals. Það er mikilvægur upphafspunktur fyrir ferðir til Grímseyjar og ógleymanlegar hvalaskoðunarferðir.
Húsavík
Húsavík er fallegur hafnarbær á Norðurlandi, þekktur sem hvalaskoðunarhöfuðborg Íslands. Með litríkri strandlengju, einkennandi kirkju og gróskumiklum fjallabakgrunni býður bærinn upp á ógleymanlega upplifun.
Raufarhöfn — Iceland's Northernmost Village
Raufarhöfn er lítið sjávarþorp á Melrakkasléttu í nyrsta hluta Norðausturlands, skammt frá heimskautsbaug. Þekktasta kennileiti þorpsins er Heimskautsgerðið, stórt nútímalegt mannvirki sem sækir innblástur í fornnorræna heimsmynd og er hannað út frá gangi sólar. Ströndin umhverfis er afskekkt og vindbarin og hentar vel til fuglaskoðunar, ljósmyndunar og rólegra ferðalaga eftir Arctic Coast Way.
Bakkafjörður
Bakkafjörður er lítið sjávarþorp sem ennþá byggir að mestu á sjávarútvegi. Þar er áhugavert að skoða gömlu höfnina og gönguleiðina í Steintún, eyðibýli við þorpið. Mikil kríubyggð er í Bakkafjarðarþorpi sem gæti verið áhugaverð fyrir fuglaskoðara.
Dagsáætlun
Ráðlögð ferðaáætlun
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.
Book Now
Tours & Activities
9 hoursDiamond Circle Day Tour from Akureyri or Lake Myvatn
Imagine Iceland Travel
Frá
38,900 ISK
6 hoursLake Mývatn Shore Excursion from Akureyri Port - Italian
Iceland Horizon - Saga Travel - GeoIceland
Frá
23,000 ISK
6 hoursLake Mývatn Shore Excursion from Akureyri Port - Spanish
Iceland Horizon - Saga Travel - GeoIceland
Frá
23,000 ISK
5 hoursPrivate Northern Lights & GeoSea Geothermal Baths Tour (from Akureyri)
Imagine Iceland Travel
Frá
220,000 ISK
5 hoursPrivate Half Day Tour in Akureyri
Your Friend in Reykjavik
Frá
169,380 ISK
8 hours 30 minutesLake Myvatn, Dettifoss,Selfoss, Godafoss, Nature Baths & more
Imagine Iceland Travel
Frá
39,900 ISK
Innherjaþekking
Ferðaráð
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.
Rent a car for this self-drive route
Self-drive is the best way to follow this route. Browse vehicle types, then search real availability and prices on DiscoverCars.
- Smábílar / sparneytnir
Leitaðu til að sjá lausa bíla
Ódýrasti kosturinn fyrir bæjarakstur og malbikaða vegi.
Finna bíla - Millistórir smábílar
Leitaðu til að sjá lausa bíla
Aðeins meira rými og þægindi, enn auðvelt að leggja.
Finna bíla - Millistærð / fjölskyldubílar
Leitaðu til að sjá lausa bíla
Þægilegur í lengri ferðir um hringveginn með farangur.
Finna bíla - Jepplingar (SUV)
Leitaðu til að sjá lausa bíla
Meiri veghæð og öruggari akstur.
Finna bíla
Flokkamyndir fyrir leit eru dæmamyndir frá DiscoverCars, ekki rauntímaframboð. Raunverulegir bílar og verð koma úr þinni eigin leit með dagsetningum. GoIceTravel kann að fá þóknun án aukakostnaðar.
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 er fallegur hafnarbær á Norðurlandi, þekktur sem hvalaskoðunarhöfuðborg Íslands. Með litríkri strandlengju, einkennandi kirkju og gróskumiklum fjallabakgrunni býður bærinn upp á ógleymanlega upplifun.
Raufarhöfn — Iceland's Northernmost Village
Raufarhöfn er lítið sjávarþorp á Melrakkasléttu í nyrsta hluta Norðausturlands, skammt frá heimskautsbaug. Þekktasta kennileiti þorpsins er Heimskautsgerðið, stórt nútímalegt mannvirki sem sækir innblástur í fornnorræna heimsmynd og er hannað út frá gangi sólar. Ströndin umhverfis er afskekkt og vindbarin og hentar vel til fuglaskoðunar, ljósmyndunar og rólegra ferðalaga eftir Arctic Coast Way.
Bakkafjörður
Bakkafjörður er lítið sjávarþorp sem ennþá byggir að mestu á sjávarútvegi. Þar er áhugavert að skoða gömlu höfnina og gönguleiðina í Steintún, eyðibýli við þorpið. Mikil kríubyggð er í Bakkafjarðarþorpi sem gæti verið áhugaverð fyrir fuglaskoðara.
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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.
Vilt þú aðlaga þessa leið?
Smíðaðu þína eigin Arctic Coast Way ferðaáætlun með gervigreindarlega ferðaskipuleggjandanum. Bættu við stöðvum, hótelum og ferðum.
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