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330 km
About 5 h 10 min
Car 1–4 · Van 5–7
Free cancellation 24 h
North · from KEF
About Varmahlíð and the drive
Varmahlíð is a small village in Skagafjörður, North Iceland, at the junction where the road to Sauðárkrókur leaves Route 1. Its name means warm slope, after the geothermal water that heats the village. It has a petrol station, a shop, a swimming pool and several places to stay, and it is a convenient base for the Skagafjörður valley, known for horse breeding, river rafting on the glacial rivers and some of Iceland's best-preserved turf buildings, including the church at Víðimýri and the farm museum at Glaumbær.
The drive from Keflavík Airport is a proper journey north: through Reykjavík, under Hvalfjörður, past Borgarnes and over the Holtavörðuheiði mountain pass, then through the farming valleys of Húnaþing to Blönduós. From there the road climbs over the Vatnsskarð pass and drops down into Skagafjörður. It is a long day, and a break for food on the way is normal.
Varmahlíð suits travellers staying on a farm or at a horse farm in Skagafjörður, visiting family in the district, or breaking the journey to Akureyri. Sauðárkrókur, the main town of the fjord, is a short drive further on if you need shops or services. Your driver takes you to the door of your accommodation, in the village or out in the valley. If you are continuing east, read our Akureyri travel guide.
Seasons and roads
Holtavörðuheiði and Vatnsskarð are mountain passes that can be snowy and windy in winter and may close for a while in storms. Daylight is short in December and January. We watch the forecast and road conditions and will contact you if the time or date needs to change.
