A journey on the legendary Lena Highway
Russia, europe
1,132 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Get ready for an epic adventure on the A360 Lena Highway in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia! This isn't your average road trip – we're talking seriously remote and challenging conditions, deep in the heart of Russia, south of the Arctic Circle.
Built between 1925 and 1964, this road, named after the mighty Lena River, stretches for 1,132 km (703 miles) from Never to Yakutsk. Good news, road warriors: it's mostly paved these days! It used to be notorious for transforming into a muddy swamp, swallowing vehicles whole after any decent rain. But now, since 2014, it's generally accessible year-round.
However, don't let your guard down. The remote location and subarctic climate can still throw curveballs, especially during the brutal winter. Plus, there are still a few unpaved sections to keep things interesting.
The final leg of the journey, from Nizhny Bestyakh to Yakutsk (on the west side of the Lena River), is super unique. In winter, you'll drive across the frozen Lena River Ice Road! In summer, a ferry will take you across. But beware the "season of isolation" in spring and autumn, when the ice is either too thin or too thick for either option! Yakutsk itself is a sight to behold – the largest city built on permafrost, with houses on concrete piles.
Where is it?
A journey on the legendary Lena Highway is located in Russia (europe). Coordinates: 58.6002, 38.3210
Road Details
- Country
- Russia
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 1,132 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 58.6002, 38.3210
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