Avoid the road to Öxi Pass in Iceland outside of summer
Iceland, europe
71 km
539 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're cruising around the Eastern Region of Iceland and looking for a detour that’ll get your heart pumping, check out Öxi Pass!
This mountain pass, sitting pretty at 539m (1,768ft), is a shortcut between Djúpivogur village and Egilsstaðir, chopping off a good 71 km (44 miles) from the Ring Road. But fair warning, this isn’t your average Sunday drive.
Axarvegur (Road 939) is a gravel road, so expect a bumpy ride! It’s narrow, steep, and winds its way up the side of a mountain, taking you from sea level to over 500 meters! This 20.5 km (12.73 mile) stretch is usually closed in winter, and even in spring, it can be a muddy mess best left to 4x4s and mountain trucks.
Expect a wild ride with inclines hitting a max gradient of 20%!! Blind corners, slippery conditions from cascading water, and fog can all make this an intense experience, so bring your nerves of steel!
But, oh man, the views! Tucked away in the Eastfjords, Öxi Pass delivers stunning scenery, especially the incredible Folaldafoss waterfall, often called Iceland’s hidden gem. There's a tiny parking spot for a few cars, so you can hop out and take it all in!
Just remember, this road isn't for the faint of heart. Only tackle it in good weather and with a vehicle that can handle the terrain. Happy (and safe) travels!
Where is it?
Avoid the road to Öxi Pass in Iceland outside of summer is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 64.5777, -17.1204
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 71 km
- Max Elevation
- 539 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 64.5777, -17.1204
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