Road 626 is an awe-inspiring drive in the peninsula Westfjords

Road 626 is an awe-inspiring drive in the peninsula Westfjords

Iceland, europe

Length

30.6 km

Elevation

551 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Road 626, or Hrafnseyrarvegur, is a coastal gem nestled in Iceland's Westfjords, specifically the Dýrafjörður fjord area. Think breathtaking scenery as you wind 30.6 km (19 miles) from Þingeyri to Dynjandi, passing by Hrafnseyri.

Now, heads up, this isn't your typical paved road. It's all gravel, but most cars can handle it, though a 4x4 definitely makes things easier. This route can get feisty when the tide's high!

Prepare for seriously stunning views of the coastline, mountains, and Hrafnseyrarheiði from both sides of the road. Plus, it's your access point for the gorgeous Gljúfurárfoss Waterfall. Just a heads-up: the road has some tight squeezes, a bumpy surface, steep climbs (up to a crazy 20% grade!), and drop-offs.

You'll climb to a whopping 551m (1807ft) at the Hrafnseyrarheiði plateau. Because of the altitude, it's only open in the summer. Quick note: as of October 2020, the Dýrafjarðargöng tunnel (part of Road 60) offers an alternative route.

Where is it?

Road 626 is an awe-inspiring drive in the peninsula Westfjords is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 64.9078, -18.7550

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Iceland
Continent
europe
Length
30.6 km
Max Elevation
551 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
64.9078, -18.7550

Related Roads in europe

Col de la Bichehard

Col de la Biche

🇫🇷 France

Okay, buckle up for Col de la Biche, a crazy-steep mountain pass in eastern France's Ain department! This baby hits an elevation of 1,310m (that's 4,297ft for my American friends). You'll be cruising the D123, a narrow ribbon of asphalt winding through the stunning Massif du Jura. Watch out, though, because some sections of this climb are seriously steep, reaching up to 13.6%! Even the Tour de France has tackled this beast. You've got three ways to conquer Col de la Biche: * **From Talissieu:** A 19.17 km climb with 1,070 meters of elevation gain, averaging 5.5%. * **From Artemare:** A slightly longer 20.5 km ascent, gaining 1,065 meters at an average of 5.2%. * **From Gigniez:** The shortest but perhaps most intense route, stretching 13.8 km with 958 meters of climbing and a 6.9% average grade. No matter which way you go, get ready for some breathtaking scenery and a serious workout for your legs (or your car's engine!).

The steep road to Kjeåsen, the world’s most inaccessible farmhard

The steep road to Kjeåsen, the world’s most inaccessible farm

🇳🇴 Norway

# Kjeåsen: Norway's Most Remote (and Epic) Mountain Farm Perched like an eagle's nest 600 meters (1,969 feet) above the stunning Simadalsfjorden in Eidfjord, Hordaland county, Kjeåsen is basically the definition of "middle of nowhere" — and we mean that as the highest compliment. This legendary mountain farm has been clinging to its clifftop home since around 1650, and honestly, the isolation is part of its charm. Getting there is half the adventure. The fully paved 5.3km (3.29 miles) road was only built in 1975 to support hydroelectric projects, and it's earned the nickname "the world's most expensive farm road" for good reason. Trust us, this isn't your average country drive. The route is seriously intense: a narrow, winding single-lane road that climbs with gradients up to 30% as it snakes through towering pines and misty mountain air. But here's the wild part — about 2.8km of the journey cuts straight through a hand-carved tunnel with zero lighting. Yep, you're relying entirely on your headlights to navigate through total darkness. Plus, it's one-way only, with traffic coordinated on the hour going up and every half hour coming down, so you might need to hang tight and wait your turn. Fair warning: the tunnel's off-limits for pedestrians and cyclists, and if you're heading up, aim to arrive by 5 pm to respect the residents' peace. It's quirky, it's intense, and it's absolutely unforgettable.

Adventure along the abandoned Old Mam Tor roadhard

Adventure along the abandoned Old Mam Tor road

🇬🇧 England

Okay, picture this: you're in the stunning High Peak of Derbyshire, surrounded by classic English countryside. You stumble upon a ghost road - Old Mam Tor, a stretch of asphalt abandoned back in '79 due to some seriously persistent landslips. This wasn't just any road, though. Once upon a time, this section of the A625, nicknamed "The New Road," was the main artery between Manchester and Sheffield. Built in 1819, it dared to cut right across the Mam Tor landslide. Locals called Mam Tor the "Shivering Mountain" for a reason! Located near the village of Castleton, where Hope Valley begins, the road constantly shifted and cracked due to the unstable ground, requiring endless repairs. Eventually, after nearly 160 years of battling the elements, it was deemed a lost cause. Now, it's a 2-mile-long (3.21km) stretch of broken pavement, locally known as the "Broken Road" or "The Shattered Road." While impassable to cars (a wooden gate blocks the way), you can still walk it. Be warned: it gets pretty steep in places, with gradients hitting 10% in some spots. You're rewarded with some incredible views, a reminder of nature's power and the fleeting nature of human endeavors.

How long is D915 (Bayburt-Of Road) in Turkey?extreme

How long is D915 (Bayburt-Of Road) in Turkey?

🇹🇷 Turkey

Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! I've just tackled the legendary D915 in Turkey, and let me tell you, it's not for the faint of heart. This wild ride stretches for 106 km (65 miles) from Bayburt to Of, a cool little coastal town on the Black Sea. This road? Oh, it's got stories. Built way back in 1916, it's seen some things! Just picture yourself navigating 38 hairpin turns, some of them seriously tight. It's a vital link for locals, so you'll see everything from lorries to motorbikes sharing the road. Speaking of sharing, be prepared to share some serious thrills (and maybe a little fear). Heads up, this baby's usually closed from late October to late June/early July because, well, snow. You're climbing to 2,330 m (7,644 ft), so pack your layers! Most of the D915 is unpaved, with just a sprinkle of asphalt at the start and end. Expect narrow sections, those aforementioned crazy turns, and some serious drop-offs. Think adrenaline-pumping, white-knuckle driving. Some spots are seriously sketchy, especially where the road spirals down cliffs. It's popular with thrill-seekers, but safety first, people! Bad weather is a game-changer, so check the forecast. Fog, rain, heavy trucks, and even falling rocks can make things even more interesting (in the worst way). In the wet, the road turns into a muddy slip-n-slide. The highlight? Definitely Derebaşı Turns near Çaykara. This 5.1 km (3.2 mi) stretch packs in 13 hairpin turns, climbing from 1,712 m (5,617 ft) to 2,035 m (6,677 ft). We're talking gradients up to 17%! Yeah, it's dangerous, but the mountain views are out of this world. Would I do it again? Maybe… just maybe!