A wild drive to Brokartindur through Vatnajokull Glacier
Iceland, europe
320 km
381 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure awaits in the southeastern reaches of Iceland, deep inside the epic Vatnajökull National Park! We're talking about Brókartindur peak, and getting to the top is no Sunday drive. Forget your rental sedan; you'll need a seriously beefed-up 4x4 and a guide, as private vehicles are a no-go.
The road snakes through Vatnajökull Glacier itself – a colossal ice cap covering about 10% of Iceland. Just to put things in perspective, the ice averages over 1200 feet thick in this region, and is up to 3000 feet thick in places. From Reykjavik, you're looking at a 200-mile haul to reach the park's edge, clocking in at a 4-7 hour drive (weather depending, of course).
Expect year-round snow, isolation, and views that will absolutely blow your mind. This area is so dramatic, it's been the backdrop for tons of movies and shows like Batman Begins and Game of Thrones! As you climb, the scenery just keeps getting better, culminating in panoramic vistas of the glacier. From the top, you can soak in the majestic sight of Þvetártindsegg, the highest mountain in Suðursveit. Trust me, this off-the-beaten-path adventure is pure Icelandic magic.
Where is it?
A wild drive to Brokartindur through Vatnajokull Glacier is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 65.0946, -17.8229
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 320 km
- Max Elevation
- 381 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 65.0946, -17.8229
Related Roads in europe
extremeA 7-Day Trip Through the South’s Most Challenging Routes
🇬🇧 England
Okay, picture this: ditching London and heading west on the B4632. Forget the soul-crushing motorways—this old A-road between Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon is a proper driving experience. Think smooth turns and views for days as you cruise the Cotswold Hills. Day two? Get lost in the cute, but super-narrow, stone-walled lanes. Seriously, know your car's width! Next up: Devon and Cornwall! Time for the A39 Atlantic Highway. The star of the show? Porlock Hill, with a crazy 25% gradient. Yep, the steepest A-road in England, and a true test for your brakes and engine. Careful on the way down to Lynmouth—engine braking is your friend! Day four is all about the ridiculously tight lanes of North Devon. We're talking hedgerows taller than your car and reversing skills that will make you a legend. Island time! Hop over to the Isle of Wight and hit the A3055 Military Road. This is where you race against nature. It's perched right on the edge of the cliffs, fighting a losing battle against the sea. Epic coastal views with the English Channel on one side, green hills on the other. Heads up: it closes sometimes when the road decides to take a swim. Back on the mainland, aim for the A285 between Petworth and Chichester. This one's a bit spicy. It's got sneaky bends and hidden dips that have earned it a reputation. Stay focused—it throws you from fast straights into tricky, tree-lined curves without warning! Last day! Skip the M25 and take the backroads through the North Downs toward London. Box Hill has some fun climbs, and the Surrey Hills are packed with narrow, steep roads to keep you entertained until you hit the city. Oh, and definitely give your car a good once-over after all that hard braking and gear-shifting! This trip isn't about tea rooms and castles, it's about tackling England's gnarly roads. From the insane gradients of Exmoor to the crumbling cliffs of the Isle of Wight, you'll get a new appreciation for the country's wild side. Get prepped, check the weather, and respect those hills!
moderate1. Adjusting Voluntary Excess for Managed Risk
🇬🇧 England
So, you've got a beast of a machine prepped for some serious off-road action in the UK? Awesome! But let's be real, insuring those high-performance or expedition-ready vehicles can feel like highway robbery. Insurers get all jittery about repair costs and your driving history, but don't sweat it. Here's the lowdown: UK insurance companies are all about managing risk. The lower the risk, the lower your bill. So, how do you convince them your rig is less of a gamble? First, crank up your voluntary excess. Basically, agree to pay more out of pocket if you have an accident. If you're hitting technical terrain where a few scratches are practically a given, this can slash your premium. Next, bring in the reinforcements—experienced drivers, that is. Adding a parent or older friend with a spotless driving record makes you look way less risky in the insurer's eyes. Just make sure you're honest about who's actually behind the wheel! Vehicle choice matters big time, too. Each ride gets a rating from 1 to 50. If you want to keep costs down, aim for something in the lower end of that scale—Groups 1-20. A tough, go-anywhere 4x4 with easily available parts will always be cheaper to cover than a fancy SUV in Group 50. Lastly, think security. Slap on a Thatcham-approved alarm system and GPS tracker. Tell them it's parked in a secure garage overnight. Showing you're serious about protecting your vehicle can mean serious savings. Bottom line? Smart planning is your secret weapon. Choose your vehicle wisely, boost your security, and play the insurance game strategically. That way, you can save your hard-earned cash for the adventure itself!
moderateWhere Is Ruta de los Volcanes?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Lanzarote, right in the heart of the Parque Natural de Los Volcanes and Timanfaya National Park. This isn't just any drive; it's the Ruta de los Volcanes, and it's straight-up otherworldly. This paved, one-way loop is a must-do, though it's short and sweet so traffic can be heavy. But trust me, it's worth it. Imagine rolling past volcanic cones, peering into craters, and spotting dunes of ash – lapilli, if you wanna get technical. You might even catch a glimpse inside some lava tubes! The scenery is unreal. Think rocky desert vibes that look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. The terrain is surprisingly colorful, even though it's mostly barren. This isn't just a drive; it's an experience. Get ready for one of the most scenic roads on the planet.
extremeRoad NA-4000
🇪🇸 Spain
# Carretera NA-4000: A Thrilling Ride Through Navarre Ready for some serious driving adventure? The Carretera NA-4000 winds through the heart of Navarre in northern Spain, and trust me, this isn't your everyday scenic cruise. Stretching just over 19 kilometers, this narrow tarmac road is absolutely packed with curves and switchbacks that'll keep even seasoned drivers on their toes. The road engineers have at least had the sense to bank some of the tighter turns to help you navigate them smoothly. Still, this route demands respect and concentration—it's definitely not a place for autopilot driving. Connecting the N-121A and GI-3420 roads, the NA-4000 climbs steadily as you drive, gaining about 400 meters in elevation. Fair warning: if anyone in your car gets queasy on winding roads, this probably isn't the trip for them. Save the big meal for after you arrive. The steep sections combined with endless curves can genuinely challenge sensitive stomachs. What makes this drive truly special (and occasionally spooky) is the dense vegetation that crowds the roadside. At certain points, the foliage is so thick it completely blocks out the sky above you. You feel like you're driving through a tunnel made of trees. Speaking of tunnels, the road actually ends in a real one—a narrow 300-meter passage near Collado de Arichulegui mountain pass at 447 meters elevation. Oh, and one more thing: keep your eyes peeled for wild horses roaming the area. They've got every right to be there, so give them space.