BOLAFJALL CLOSED TO PRIVATE CARS DURING ICELAND’S TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE
- Roman Pech
- 5. 8.
- Minut čtení: 2
One of Iceland’s most spectacular viewing locations for the total solar eclipse will be inaccessible to private cars on August 12. Visitors heading to the summit of Bolafjall in the Westfjords will have to use shuttle buses from Bolungarvík.
A new traffic restriction has been announced ahead of the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026. According to Iceland Review, the access road to the summit of Bolafjall, above Bolungarvík in the Westfjords, will be closed to private vehicles on the day of the eclipse.
The measure is intended to prevent traffic congestion on the narrow mountain road and to ensure that emergency services can move freely if necessary.
Visitors will have to take a shuttle bus
Anyone planning to watch the eclipse from Bolafjall will therefore have to leave their car in Bolungarvík and continue to the mountain by paid shuttle bus.
The restriction applies specifically to August 12, when thousands of visitors are expected to travel across Iceland in search of clear skies and the longest possible period of totality.
For anyone who has been planning to drive directly to the summit, this is an important last-minute change.
Almost two minutes of totality
Bolafjall is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Westfjords. The summit rises to approximately 638 metres above sea level and offers wide views across Ísafjarðardjúp, the Jökulfirðir fjords and towards the Hornstrandir nature reserve.
Its location is also particularly attractive for eclipse watchers.
The total phase will last approximately 1 minute and 39 seconds, with maximum eclipse occurring at around 5:44 p.m. local time.
That makes Bolafjall one of the most appealing places in Iceland to experience the moment when the Moon completely covers the Sun.
More traffic restrictions are expected
Bolafjall is not the only location where special measures are being introduced for the eclipse.
Authorities expect exceptionally heavy traffic in parts of the Westfjords and have prepared additional traffic management measures, including restrictions and one-way traffic arrangements in some areas.
Visitors are being advised to follow road signs, respect closures and allow significantly more time for their journeys.
For anyone heading to Bolafjall, however, one thing is already clear:
On August 12, you will not be driving your own car to the summit. You will have to take the shuttle.
The information about the closure of the Bolafjall access road was reported by Iceland Review.
About the Author
Iceland has fascinated me for many years. Over the course of numerous journeys across the island, I have driven tens of thousands of kilometers, experienced storms that changed travel plans within minutes, and witnessed days when choosing the right route meant discovering places that most visitors never see. I documented many of these experiences in my documentary film Island in the North.
Through this website, I share practical travel advice, up-to-date information, and firsthand experiences from the field to help others explore Iceland more safely and gain a deeper understanding of its unique landscapes and ever-changing nature.
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