Driving the challenging Road F347 in Iceland
Iceland, europe
16 km
1,071 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! F347, or Kerlingarfjallavegur, is a *serious* Icelandic road trip, smack-dab in the Highlands. This isn't your average Sunday drive – you'll need a proper 4x4 with high clearance to even think about tackling it. We're talking F-Road status here!
Clocking in at just under 10 miles (16 km), this rugged track kicks off south of Svartárbotnar on Route 35 and winds its way up to Kerlingarfjöll Mountain (Woman's Mountain, for the curious). Prepare for some serious altitude! You'll top out at over 3,500 feet (1,071 m) – some of the highest driving views you can get in Iceland!
Forget pavement, this is an all-dirt, bumpy ride filled with big rocks. Seriously, leave the compact car at home. Being this remote means you have to be extra cautious. You can usually only run this road between late June and early September.
Here's the kicker: two unbridged river crossings. One's a wade, the other gets a bit deeper. Know your stuff, and NEVER cross alone or when it's raining hard. Those water levels can rise in a flash, and it's not worth the risk! Only head out in a well-equipped jeep (or bigger!). Smaller cars should steer clear. Double-check the depth before you go for it, and remember that rental car insurance usually *doesn't* cover water damage. And of course, dial 112 for emergencies.
Where is it?
Driving the challenging Road F347 in Iceland is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 64.8909, -18.6973
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 16 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,071 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 64.8909, -18.6973
Related Roads in europe
hardHow Long is Tindevegen?
🇳🇴 Norway
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Norway's Sogn og Fjordane county, heading for the legendary Jotunheimen. You're about to hit Tindevegen, and trust me, it lives up to its nickname, "Roof of Norway"! This 32 km (20 mile) stretch of pure driving bliss runs between Øvre Årdal and Turtagrø. Open usually from May to November, this toll road (don't worry, it's automatic) is perfect for cars, RVs, and even smaller buses. Get ready for some seriously epic scenery as you climb to 1,322m (4,337ft) – one of the highest points you can reach by road in the whole country. Now, "The High Peaks Road" isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s fully paved, yes, but be prepared for narrow sections, some seriously steep climbs (we're talking gradients up to 12.5%!), and hairpin turns galore. But oh, the views! Jotunheimen's mountains stretch out before you, and you'll catch glimpses of the majestic Sognefjord. It's a panoramic feast for the eyes, and a shortcut between Bergen and Trondheim. If you're up for an unforgettable drive through Norway's high country, Tindevegen is calling your name.
hardThe road from Kallikratis to Kapsodasos is not for the faint-hearted
🇬🇷 Greece
# The Hairpin Heaven of Southwestern Crete If you're craving a serious driving challenge, the road connecting Kallikratis to Kapsodasos in southwestern Crete is calling your name. This 10.6km stretch is absolute madness—in the best way possible—with a jaw-dropping 27 hairpin turns that'll have you gripping the steering wheel for dear life. Starting in the small mountain village of Kallikratis (tucked away in Sfakia, far from the tourist crowds), you'll climb steadily toward Kapsodasos, a charming hamlet scattered across a high plateau with four distinct neighborhoods. The fully paved road (since 2006, thankfully) gains a whopping 625 meters in elevation, meaning you're climbing hard and fast. We're talking a brutal 28% gradient at the steepest sections, with an average of 5.89%—this is no leisurely Sunday drive. The road is narrow, winding, and honestly pretty intense. No guardrails means you'll want to stay focused on those curves. Come winter, it's a whole different beast—snow blankets the road regularly, and locals wisely head down to the coast until spring rolls around. But here's the payoff: stunning panoramic views of the Libyan Sea to the south and the Frangokastello plain spread out below you. It's a wild, authentic slice of Crete where you'll encounter very few tourists and even fewer other vehicles. If you're up for the challenge, this route delivers pure adrenaline and incredible scenery in equal measure.
hardPennes Pass is a classic Italian road trip
🇮🇹 Italy
Passo di Pennes is a high mountain pass sitting pretty at 2,211m (7,254ft) above sea level in Italy's Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region. It's basically the shortcut everyone uses between Innsbruck and Bolzano, and honestly? It's got serious bragging rights. The summit is fully equipped with a massive parking lot and a restaurant where you can refuel (both you and your car), so it's a proper destination rather than just a pass-through. The entire route, known locally as Penser Joch and officially as Strada Statale 508 (SS508), is paved all the way up. You'll wind your way through 28.9 km connecting the charming villages of Rio Bianco and Vipiteno. Now, let's be real—this isn't a Sunday drive. The road throws hundreds of turns at you, with a handful of genuine hairpin bends that'll keep your hands firmly on the wheel. The steepest sections hit 20.7%, which is no joke. Even though they've widened it over the years, it's still pretty tight in places, so you'll want to stay sharp and respect the road. But that's exactly what makes it such an epic alpine experience.
hardSchattberg West
🇦🇹 Austria
# Schattberg West: A High-Alpine Adventure in Austria Ready for a serious mountain challenge? Schattberg West towers at 2,087 meters (6,847 feet) in Austria's Salzburg region, nestled within the stunning Kitzbühel Alps. This isn't your typical scenic drive—it's a chairlift access trail that demands respect and proper preparation. The path itself is rocky and gravelly, steep enough to make your palms sweat. Loose stones dominate the lower sections, but things get genuinely gnarly as you push toward the summit, where the terrain becomes even more treacherous and boulder-strewn. Fair warning: you've got a pretty narrow window to attempt this—basically late August when conditions are most favorable during the summer months. But here's what makes the effort worthwhile: a jaw-dropping 360° panoramic view that sweeps across the entire region. On a clear day, you'll spot the iconic peaks of Kitzsteinhorn, Grossglockner, Grossvenediger, Wilder Kaiser, and Hochkönig stretching out in every direction. It's absolutely breathtaking. Don't let the summer timing fool you into thinking this is easy. These mountains play by their own rules. Winds howl here relentlessly year-round, and even in summer you might find yourself dealing with unexpected snow. The ski-station service road sections? Some pitch up to a brutal 30% grade. Winter? Temperatures here are genuinely brutal—not for the faint-hearted. The good news? The Westgipfelhütte mountain refuge sits at the summit, so you've got shelter and sustenance once you reach the top.