A car on the Öxi mountain pass, Eastern of Iceland - stock photo
Öxi pass is a mountain pass in eastern region, Iceland.

Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo/Getty

Öxi Pass (Route 939)

East Iceland


At the head of Berufjörður, the 19km Öxi mountain pass (Rte 939) offers a summer short cut to drivers en route to or from Egilsstaðir. The pass cuts about 70km off the Djúpivogur–Egilsstaðir journey (compared with following the coastal Ring Road) and gives some gorgeous views, but it's a narrow gravel road and isn't advised in bad weather or fog, or for nervous drivers. Note: the road is closed in winter.

Google Maps and GPS systems may give Öxi pass as the shortest option – which it is, in summer – but it's best to think about the options and not blindly follow directions.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby East Iceland attractions

1. Flögufoss

4.45 MILES

From Rte 966 take the turn-off to Flögufoss, a 60m-high waterfall (19km west of Breiðdalsvík), if you feel like a scenic leg-stretch.

2. Teigarhorn

10.21 MILES

Rockhounds will love the display of zeolites at this farm, now a natural monument and nature reserve 5km northwest of Djúpivogur. It's renowned for its…

3. Eggin í Gleðivík

11.85 MILES

Walk or drive down to the waterfront behind Langabúð and follow the road west to reach this intriguing public artwork: 34 oversized eggs along the jetty,…

4. Bones, Sticks & Stones

12.01 MILES

En route to the jetty you’ll pass this quirky sculpture garden full of mineral rocks, bones and assorted flotsam and jetsam.

5. Langabúð Museum

12.3 MILES

Djúpivogur's oldest building is the long, bright-red Langabúð, a harbourside log warehouse dating from 1790. It now houses a cafe and an unusual local…

6. JFS Handcraft & Stone Garden

12.52 MILES

A small place with a big reputation thanks to its owner. Jón is a welcoming local character with a great stonework collection; he makes beautiful…

7. Breiðdalssetur

15.29 MILES

Breiðdalssetur is a small local museum and research centre with exhibits on regional geology and history. At the time of research it was only open to…

8. Auroras Iceland

17.6 MILES

Right by the Fosshotel, this exhibition is staged in a restored building from 1882 and displays stunning images of the Northern Lights above…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "iceland/berufjordur/attractions/oexi-pass-route-939/a/poi-sig/1603264/1325624",
      "destination": "East-Iceland",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Iceland",
      "region": "East-Iceland",
      "position": "superzone"
    }