How long is Road F235 (Langisjór)?
Iceland, europe
25.4 km
686 m
hard
Year-round
Alright adventure seekers, buckle up for F235 (Langisjór) in South Iceland! This isn't your Sunday drive – we're talking serious 4x4 territory with high clearance a must. This 25.4km (15.78 mile) track leads to the unreal Langisjór lake, a crystal-clear gem hidden away in the highlands.
The road? Let's just say it's *rustic*. Think chunky rocks and a track that keeps you on your toes. Seriously, leave the compact car at home; you'll regret it. Once you've conquered the first river crossing (more on that later!), the rest is manageable if you take it slow and steady.
Heads up: F235 is a summer fling only, usually open from late June to early September. Perched high in Vatnajökull National Park, it hits a peak of 686m (2,250ft), making it one of Iceland's highest roads.
Now, about those rivers... Yep, you'll be wading through a few. These aren't just puddles, folks. Experience is key, and never attempt a crossing solo or after a downpour. Water levels can change fast! Only proper jeeps and beefy vehicles should even think about it. Getting stuck means calling 112. Always scout the river depth before you go for it – and remember, rental insurance usually doesn't cover water damage.
This road is epic during the day, but night driving? Proceed with extreme caution.
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 25.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 686 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardA memorable road trip to Lago di Place Moulin
🇮🇹 Italy
Lago di Place Moulin is a stunning high mountain reservoir perched at 1,968m (6,456ft) in the Aosta Valley region of northwest Italy. The drive from Bionaz kicks off on a paved road that's definitely on the narrow side with some genuinely steep pitches—but that's exactly what makes it so special. This is one of those classic winding mountain drives that'll have you grinning the whole way up. Most of the route follows a decent-sized road with minimal traffic and surprisingly few hairpin turns. Instead, you'll cruise slowly uphill through charming little villages, each with their own cute town signs proudly displaying the altitude. The lake itself sits nestled in the Bionaz valley, making for picture-perfect surroundings. Once you reach the lake, things get a bit more rugged. A rough dirt road branches off toward a high mountain refuge at 2,005m, and if you're up for it, this gravel stretch is worth exploring. The 4.6km route is surprisingly well-maintained for several kilometers, offering gorgeous views along the narrow lake before things get rougher toward the far end.
hardCol de Portet: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Portet Nestled high in the Pyrenees at 2,215 meters (7,267 feet), Col de Portet sits just west of Saint-Lary-Soulan in France's Hautes-Pyrénées, practically within spitting distance of the Spanish border. This isn't your average mountain pass—it's one of the Pyrenees' most formidable challenges. The road itself is a spectacle carved directly into the mountainside. After getting fully paved in 2018, it's become an even more thrilling (if technically smoother) ride. But don't let that fool you—this 8-kilometer ascent packs serious punch. You'll navigate 14 hairpin turns through sections so narrow they'll make your palms sweat, with stretches hitting a brutal 16.3% gradient. The climb gains 655 meters of elevation at an average of 8.18%, and honestly? You can see almost the entire route from the bottom, which just makes it feel even more intimidating. The vistas start kicking in almost immediately and never stop. The driving is genuinely challenging—this is legitimately one of the toughest climbs in the range, and it sits even higher than the famous Col du Tourmalet. It's earned its stripes in the Tour de France, and for good reason. Summer is your window: the road opens from June through October, though winter completely shuts it down. Fair warning—during summer daylight hours (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), the road closes to most traffic except locals, so plan accordingly. When you finally reach the summit, that 360-degree panorama of the surrounding peaks is absolutely worth every hard-earned meter. Just be prepared—this climb might be enough to take it easy for the rest of your day.
extremeA road through Çakıt Vadisi for drivers with strong nerves
🇹🇷 Turkey
# Çakıt Valley: Turkey's Heart-Pounding Mountain Pass Straddling the border between Adana and Mersin in Turkey, the road through Çakıt Valley has earned its reputation as one of the world's most nerve-wracking drives. Carved into the dramatic cliffs of the Taurus Mountains, this 24.47 km (15.16 mile) stretch connects Belemedik to Kiralan while hugging the Çakıtsuyu River below. What makes this route so intense? It's entirely unpaved, brutally narrow, and literally blasted out of the mountainside—with serious cliff drops just begging your attention. While it's technically open to cars, motorcycles, and even hikers, rockslides are a constant hazard you'll need to watch for. The valley's dramatic history adds to its mystique. German engineers built this service road back in the 1920s to support construction of the Baghdad-Hijaz railway, an ambitious project that ultimately took until 1940 to complete. That section of track included 12 tunnels carved through 15 km of mountain—an engineering feat that required this very road to haul workers and materials. **Fair warning though:** The road currently has some serious rockslide activity. While smaller slides might be navigable, major boulder blockages have been reported in the middle section that can completely bar passage for both vehicles and bikes. Before you attempt this adventure, definitely check on current conditions—this isn't a route to wing it on.
easyFV890, a scenic road along the Barents Sea
🇳🇴 Norway
# County Road 890: Norway's Arctic Adventure Ready for a road trip that'll blow your mind? Head to Finnmark county in northern Norway and discover the Norwegian County Road 890—locals call it the Arctic Road, and honestly, once you drive it, you'll understand why. This 135-kilometer (83-mile) stretch is a completely paved beauty that takes you from Tana on the E6 straight out to the edge of the Barents Sea, finishing up in Berlevåg, one of Finnmark's most charming fishing villages on the northeastern tip of the Varanger Peninsula. It's the kind of drive where you're literally kissing the Arctic waters. The scenery? Absolutely stunning. You'll be treated to magnificent landscapes that feel genuinely remote and untamed. Fair warning though—this is the Arctic, so come prepared. Snow, ice, and wind aren't occasional visitors here; they're basically locals. Bundle up, take your time, and soak in the raw beauty of Norway's Far North. This is the kind of road that stays with you long after you've made it back to civilization.