Driving the Westfjords: Route 60 and beyond
By Stefán · Iceland Roads · Written by a local who drives these roads
What the Westfjords actually are
The Westfjords are the large peninsula jutting northwest from Iceland's main landmass, connected by a narrow isthmus and defined by deep fjords carved by ice age glaciers. This is Iceland at its most rugged and least populated: dramatic cliffs, bird colonies, winding gravel roads, and towns that measure their populations in dozens, not thousands.
Route 60 is the main artery, running from the isthmus at Brú north to Ísafjörður, the region's largest town and service hub. From there, smaller roads branch out to remote headlands, fishing villages, and natural landmarks like Dynjandi waterfall and Látrabjarg cliffs. The landscape rewards slow driving: every fjord turn reveals a new view, and rushing through defeats the point.
Road surface and conditions
Route 60 itself is mostly paved between the Ring Road junction and Ísafjörður, but connecting roads to key attractions are gravel, often steep, and narrow enough that passing requires one car to pull into a wide spot. The road to Látrabjarg, for example, is gravel with blind climbs and drop-offs close to the edge. Dynjandi requires a gravel approach that gets muddy after rain.
A 4x4 isn't legally required, but it's the right tool for Westfjords driving. The extra clearance, traction, and stability on washboard gravel and steep grades make the difference between confident driving and white-knuckle stress. If you're renting, this is where you actually use the 4x4 you paid for.
Gravel washboard
Corrugated gravel from repeated tire wear, common on remote Westfjords roads. Slow speeds amplify the shake; slightly faster (40-50 km/h) can smooth it out, but watch for oncoming traffic and animals.
Single-track fjord roads
Many coastal roads are barely wider than one vehicle. Watch for approaching cars around blind corners and use pull-outs to pass. Locals expect this - tourists often don't.
Seasonal closures
Roads marked on summer maps may not exist in winter. Mountain passes close for snow, avalanche zones shut down entire fjord approaches, and some roads simply aren't maintained October to May. Always check current status.
Key places and routes
Ísafjörður
The region's main town (population ~2,600), with supermarkets, fuel, accommodation, museums, and restaurants. Use this as your base and resupply point. The airport connects to Reykjavík daily if you want to skip the long drive.
Dynjandi
Tallest waterfall in the Westfjords, a series of cascades dropping 100 meters. The final approach is a gravel road off Route 60, passable in summer but rough after rain. Allow 30-40 minutes to walk up to the base.
Látrabjarg
Westernmost point of Iceland, 14 km sea cliffs home to millions of nesting seabirds (puffins in summer). Gravel road from Patreksfjörður, slow and remote. No services at the cliffs - bring food and fuel.
Rauðisandur
Red-tinged sand beach on the southern coast, backed by mountains. Accessible via a steep gravel road that's slippery in rain. Stunningly empty, almost no visitors.
Hólmavík and Strandir
Eastern Westfjords coast, less visited than the north. Hólmavík has fuel and a witchcraft museum. Roads north into Strandir get progressively rougher and more remote.
Ferry option: Baldur across Breiðafjörður
The Baldur ferry runs between Stykkishólmur (on Snæfellsnes peninsula) and Brjánslækur (southern Westfjords), crossing Breiðafjörður bay. It operates April to September, takes 2.5 hours, and cuts about 216km off the drive if you're coming from the west or Reykjavík.
The ferry crosses twice daily in summer, with space for cars and passengers. Book ahead through seatours.is, especially in July and August when tourist traffic peaks. If you miss the ferry or arrive off-season, the alternative is driving north around Gilsfjörður via Route 1 and Route 60 - a longer but scenic route.
Weather patterns to expect
The Westfjords are cooler, wetter, and windier than southern Iceland or the Reykjavík area. Atlantic storms hit the northwest coast first, and the fjord geography funnels wind into strong localized gusts. Rain and fog are frequent even in summer, and snow can linger on mountain passes into June.
Winter brings short daylight (3-4 hours around the solstice), frequent storms, and road closures that can last weeks. Most visitors aim for June to September, when roads are passable and daylight stretches past 20 hours at midsummer. Check today's conditions and have a flexible plan - storms can close roads with little warning.
Services, fuel, and supplies
Services are sparse outside Ísafjörður. Petrol stations exist at Hólmavík, Drangsnes, Patreksfjörður, Bíldudalur, and Þingeyri, but gaps can exceed 100 km on remote loops. Fill the tank whenever you pass a pump, and carry extra food and water if you're driving outer roads.
Mobile phone coverage is good in towns and along Route 60, but drops fast on gravel detours and remote headlands. Download offline maps before you leave Ísafjörður, and let someone know your route and expected return if you're heading to Látrabjarg or Hornstrandir trailheads.
When to drive the Westfjords
June to September is the accessible window for most of the region. Roads to Látrabjarg, Dynjandi, and the outer fjords typically open in May or June (depending on snowmelt) and close again in September or October when the first heavy snows arrive.
Winter access is limited to Ísafjörður and Route 60 near the airport. Many roads become impassable, services shut down, and daylight shrinks to a few hours. If you're visiting November to April, flying into Ísafjörður and staying local is the realistic plan, not a road trip.
Guided tours vs. self-drive
If you're not confident with gravel driving, narrow mountain roads, or navigating with minimal services, guided tours make sense for the Westfjords. Tours from Ísafjörður or Reykjavík handle logistics, know the conditions, and take the stress out of the remotest sections.
Self-driving gives you freedom to stop where you want and set your own pace, but it demands preparation: a capable vehicle, offline maps, full fuel, and a backup plan if weather closes roads. This is not Ring Road driving - the Westfjords punish carelessness.
Common questions
Do I need a 4x4 to drive the Westfjords?
A 4x4 is strongly recommended. Many roads are gravel, steep, and narrow, and summer weather can still bring mud and washouts. Route 60 itself is mostly paved, but connecting roads to key attractions (Látrabjarg, Hornstrandir trails, Dynjandi detours) are rough gravel that a 2WD struggles with.
Can I drive the Westfjords in winter?
Most of the Westfjords becomes inaccessible in winter. Many roads close around October and don't reopen until May due to snow and avalanche risk. If you're visiting November to April, stick to Ísafjörður and Route 60 near the airport, and expect very limited services and short daylight.
How long does it take to drive around the Westfjords?
A full circuit from Reykjavík via Route 60 to Ísafjörður, around the northern peninsula to Látrabjarg, and back is around 1,200 km and takes 5-7 days if you're stopping at towns and attractions. The roads are slow - gravel, winding fjord edges, frequent climbs - so don't plan distances based on Ring Road speeds.
What's the Baldur ferry and should I take it?
The Baldur ferry crosses Breiðafjörður from Stykkishólmur (Snæfellsnes) to Brjánslækur (southern Westfjords), cutting out the long drive around Gilsfjörður. It runs April to September, takes 2.5 hours, and saves a little over 200 km of driving if you're coming from Reykjavík or the west. Book ahead in summer.
What are the must-see places in the Westfjords?
Dynjandi waterfall (tallest in the region, gravel approach road), Látrabjarg cliffs (westernmost point of Iceland, puffin nesting site in summer), Rauðisandur red sand beach, Ísafjörður (main town, services and museums), and Hornstrandir nature reserve (accessible only by boat or serious multi-day hike).
Are there petrol stations and services in the Westfjords?
Yes, but sparse. Ísafjörður is the main hub (supermarket, fuel, accommodation, restaurants). Smaller stations at Hólmavík, Drangsnes, Patreksfjörður, and Bíldudalur. Gaps can be 100+ km on gravel, so fill up whenever you pass a pump and carry food and water for remote sections.
What weather should I expect in the Westfjords?
Cooler, wetter, and windier than the south coast or Reykjavík area. Rain and fog are frequent even in summer. Snow can linger into June on mountain passes. The terrain amplifies wind - fjord valleys funnel gusts, and exposed headlands see the strongest blasts. Check forecasts daily and have a backup plan.
See also: South Coast driving East Fjords driving
Related: winter driving · renting a car · Ísafjörður · today's conditions · route planner