This was an even longer day of driving, but it was all about the journey. We drove north on road 61, which crosses the Steingrimsfjörðurheiði pass and then winds through the fjords all the way north to Isafjordur. The entire road is paved, and while there are a few bridges across fjords, most of the road traces the water’s edge – with views that change often from waterfalls, to solitary churches or red-roofed farm houses, to glimpses of the Drangajökull glacier across the water on the Hornstrandir peninsula. We had the benefit of clear skies and full sun – a gorgeous drive with relatively little traffic. Many of the photos below are from this part of the drive - and most of those taken with an iPhone out the window of a moving car.

Our first primary stop was at Isafjordur, where we had the best meal of the trip at Tjöruhúsið. There is no menu. The restaurant serves a fish soup, fresh catch of the day (3 varieties the day we visited) and some side salads set out in a serve-yourself, all-you-can-eat manner. Best meal of the trip!

Isafjordur is a pretty town with some historic buildings and a dramatic setting in a narrow fjord – making the large cruise ships that were in port all the more noticeable against the green hills.

After lunch, we drove west through the tunnel, which is one lane for the most part with a passing protocol that we had to learn on the fly. Once out of the tunnel, we were on road 60 heading west and then south. This road is gravel for long stretches and more mountainous, crossing some passes with somewhat steep climbs and descents. The scenery is different but just as dramatic. Our second primary stop was at the sensational waterfall, Dynjandi, where there are various paths to the vantage points.

Then, more of the same on road 60 for a couple of hours. All in all, this was about 7 hours of driving and a 10-hour journey. Completely worth it!