Svalvogavegur is a 49-kilometer-long section of road that goes from Þingeyri in the Dýrafjörður out towards Hrafnseyri in the Arnarfjörður in the Westfjords area in Iceland.
Some say it’s the most terrifying road in the country. But it is an insanely beautiful route to take with the road carved into and under cliffs and great mountain views all the way. To drive on this road you need a 4x4 with high ground clearance. It's a loose rocky track, and sometimes muddy. Rough gravel, and even mud, and you have to go on low tide on the south part of it. Remember that inexperienced drivers can easily lose control of the car on unpaved roads.
A large portion of it is also below sea level when the tide is high. Expect to be alone, this track is not very busy. It is not recommended to drive unaccompanied. In case of a breakdown, there is very little in the way of passing traffic or inhabitants around, and no cell phone service in parts. In case of a problem you have to be self-reliant. The weather can change very rapidly and driving conditions therefore too. Thunderstorm activity can quickly change unpaved roads to impassable. The lowest lying parts of the route are usually washed away in winter storms and it is only open a couple of months, from spring through to the first storm.
My friend Eyþór Jóvinsson lives in Flateyri, not too far from this area, and while my friends and I were staying with him in August 2020 he recommended us doing this daytrip since we had a big 4x4 available to us. We had beautiful weather, so off we went!
Now, lets take a look at what you will get to see and experience on this adventure