How long is Road 864?
Iceland, europe
56.4 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for Road 864, aka Hólsfjallavegur, in Northeast Iceland! This isn't your typical Sunday drive. Imagine a 56.4 km (35 mile) stretch of pure, unadulterated Icelandic wilderness. We're talking lunar landscape vibes, deep inside Vatnajökull National Park.
Fair warning: this road is unsealed, bumpy, and dusty! Seriously, *everything* in your car will be coated. Think corrugated gravel, potholes aplenty - a proper off-road adventure. A 4x4 is your best bet, though passenger cars can brave it in good conditions.
Road 864 runs parallel to the paved route, going north-south from Road 85 near Thvera. Plan for a 1-2 hour drive *without* stops (but who would do that?!). Keep in mind, winter means closed gates due to snow and mud, so aim for late May or early summer.
Why endure the dust and bumps? Because this road leads to the eastern side of Dettifoss, one of Europe's most powerful waterfalls! Picture this: 500 cubic meters of water per second thundering over the edge. Trust me, it's worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 56.4 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardA tricky road to Monte Ornito
🇮🇹 Italy
# Monte Ornito: A Wild Ride Through Italian History Perched at 764 meters (2,506 feet) above sea level in Latina province, deep in the Lazio region of central Italy, Monte Ornito is calling your name. But fair warning—this isn't your typical scenic drive. The road up? It's gravel, delightfully narrow, and seriously steep. You'll need decent driving skills and a sense of adventure to tackle it. What makes it even cooler is the history soaked into every curve. This mountain was a World War II battleground, and driving these same roads today connects you to that dramatic past in a way few experiences can. If you're the type who loves roads with character and stories to tell, Monte Ornito won't disappoint. Just make sure you're ready for the challenge—this one's not for the casual Sunday driver.
hardIs the old road through Loibl Pass unpaved?
🇦🇹 Austria
Loibl Pass, straddling Austria and Slovenia at a lofty 1,367m (4,485ft), is one seriously old-school mountain pass—we're talking ancient Roman times! Forget smooth sailing; the original road to the top is a wild ride. It's unpaved, seriously narrow, and throws 16 hairpin turns at you. This 5 km (3.10 miles) stretch is a twisty, turny beast! Historically, it's the quickest way from Ferlach (Austria) to Tržič (Slovenia). The pass also carries a somber note, with a memorial on the Slovenian side remembering the victims of a WWII forced labor camp. But hey, there's a renovated mountain hostel up there too, with awesome views of the Ljubljana and Klagenfurt basins on a clear day. Heads up: the old summit road has been closed to cars since 1967. Cyclists and hikers, rejoice! If you're *really* keen on driving it, you might sweet-talk the local Ferlach police for a permit, but it'll only get you so far on the Austrian side. Once you reach the top, you're turning around at the Slovenian border.
extremeAn old military road to the summit of Tilliacher Joch-Forcella Dignas
🇮🇹 Italy
# Tilliacher Joch-Forcella Dignàs: A Alpine Adventure Between Two Countries Want to experience some serious Alpine drama? The Tilliacher Joch-Forcella Dignàs is calling your name. Sitting pretty at 2,094m (6,870ft), this international pass straddles the border between Austria and Italy, connecting the Austrian state of Tyrol with Belluno in Italy's Veneto region. This 24km (15-mile) route is basically a love letter to mountain history. The summit itself is dotted with fascinating remnants from World War I—old barracks from the Val Cismon battalion and various wartime positions that'll transport you back in time. Here's what to expect: The Austrian side starts from Obertilliach with relatively decent gravel that's been maintained since a 2003 resurfacing. Sure, there's some loose gravel to keep you on your toes, but it's manageable. As you approach the pass itself, things get spicier—the road morphs into a steep, wide footpath that'll challenge even experienced 4WD drivers. The Italian side? That's the real deal. Starting near San Pietro di Cadore, you're greeted with a seriously rocky, rough-as-nails path that hasn't seen fresh asphalt in ages. It's genuinely brutal. Though fair warning: the terrain is so unforgiving here that even hardened adventurers might need to think twice. Once you push through, the road does eventually transition to asphalt, which feels like a reward after the beating. This isn't a casual Sunday drive—it's an epic mountain crossing for those serious about their alpine adventures.
hardA truly outstanding 4x4 road to Yildiz Lake in Bayburt
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Yıldız Gölü, a seriously high-altitude lake chilling at nearly 9,800 feet in Turkey's Bayburt province! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Forget pavement – you're tackling a rugged, unpaved road that's seen better days, winding alongside Harsime Creek near the Erzurum Province border, north of Kirklar Tepesi. Think you can handle it? You'll need a 4x4 with serious clearance, especially with the road's super steep climb and 14 tight hairpin turns. Starting from Yoncalı village, it's a 5.5-mile trek uphill, gaining over 3,000 feet in elevation, which translates to a gut-busting 10% average grade. And remember, winter makes it a total no-go. But if you brave it, the views (and the icy lake waters!) are totally worth the challenge!