Driving the defiant Road F734 in the Northwestern Region

Driving the defiant Road F734 in the Northwestern Region

Iceland, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Get ready for the Vesturheiðarvegur (F734) in Northwestern Iceland – a truly wild ride! This isn't your average Sunday drive; we're talking breathtaking landscapes, rugged terrain, and river crossings that will test your mettle. Some say it’s a road for the brave!

This north-south track, connecting Strangakvísl to Road 35 east of Lake Blöndulón, is strictly unpaved and one of Iceland’s infamous F Roads. Think seriously steep sections, crazy lava formations, and a whole lot of mud. Only full-size 4x4s with high clearance need apply! The track can be slanted and narrow, with rocks adding to the fun.

Perched high in the Blandá Valley, this road is a summer treat, usually open from late June to early September. But remember, you're on your own out here. It's remote with very little traffic, zero cell service, and no nearby help if things go south. Pack accordingly!

The river crossings are the main event, with the Blandá and Svartá rivers leading the pack in terms of depth and drama. Proceed with extreme caution and experience. Scout those depths and currents, and absolutely avoid going it alone or during heavy rain. Seriously, talk to locals before attempting any crossings. We’re talking depths up to 1.4 meters in places, with rough and unpredictable riverbeds! And remember, rental insurance probably won’t cover any water damage.

But hey, with all that said, the views are absolutely spectacular. Just maybe skip it at night due to the limited visibility.

Where is it?

Driving the defiant Road F734 in the Northwestern Region is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 65.0051, -17.2705

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Iceland
Continent
europe
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
65.0051, -17.2705

Related Roads in europe

Where is Clue de Gréolières?moderate

Where is Clue de Gréolières?

🇫🇷 France

Escape the French Riviera glitz with a drive through the spectacular Clue de Gréolières, a canyon hidden in the Alpes-Maritimes department. This gem, one of France's famous "balcony roads," offers an unforgettable experience. You'll find this canyon nestled in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The D2 road (also known as Route Greolieres, Route de Thorenc, or Route de Gentelly), is a fully paved route carved by the Peyron river. Trust me, it lives up to the hype as one of the most stunning roads on the planet. The road is only 10.7 km (6.64 miles) long, winding its way from Gréolières (a charming Medieval village perched high) to Route du Castellaras (D5). Tucked away in the Parc naturel régional des Préalpes d'Azur, this road climbs to the Pas de Tous Vents, a mountain pass sitting at 1,052m (3,451ft). Expect a dramatic drive, full of narrow, dark tunnels carved right into the rock face, plus some seriously cool natural rock arches. Set aside about 13 minutes for the drive, not counting stops. Keep an eye out for potential rockslides – seriously, don't stop in the middle of the road. But, despite the caution required, the scenery is worth every bit of it. This short drive is truly exceptional and something you shouldn't miss if you're in the French Riviera. This gorge is also famous for its network of underground caves (some open to explore!). It's so extraordinary that it even starred in the James Bond film Goldeneye for that thrilling car chase scene!

Where is Col du Solude?extreme

Where is Col du Solude?

🇫🇷 France

Alright, adventure-seekers, listen up! I've got a hidden gem for you: Col du Solude! Nestled high in the French Alps, this baby tops out at a cool 5,511 feet. You'll find it tucked away in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in the southeastern corner of France. Now, here's the deal: the road is a bit of a mixed bag. The southern climb is all smooth asphalt, but the northern side gets a little rough and tumble with gravel. They call it Crete de la Pendine. Let me tell you, this isn't your Sunday drive! The road is crazy steep in sections, with seriously narrow bits and some major drop-offs that'll get your heart pumping. The max grade? Intense! The whole shebang is about 8.45 miles long, stretching from Les Juliennes in the south to Route des Gondrans in the north. And trust me, the views along the way are absolutely worth it. Plus, you can even access the fort at the summit of Col des Gondrans, which is in the Hautes-Alpes, from the road! Just be prepared for a wild ride!

How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Olchansky Passextreme

How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Olchansky Pass

🌍 Russia

Deep in the Sakha Republic, Russia, you'll find the Olchansky Pass, sitting pretty at 1,183m (3,881ft) in the Verkhoyansk Mountains. This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about the Kolyma Highway (R504), a.k.a. the infamous Road of Bones, which some call the world's coldest winter adventure. The road stretches 1,868km (1,160 miles) from near Yakutsk to Magadan on the Sea of Okhotsk. The road is totally unpaved and gets super steep near Ust-Nera, hitting a maximum 10% gradient in spots. Now, for the juicy bits: this road is notorious! Picture this: unmaintained roads, washed-out bridges, and sections reclaimed by streams. Extreme temps, heavy snow, ice, and terrible visibility are the norm. And the mud! Oh, the mud! During rainy season, it turns into an impassable clay blanket that can swallow trucks whole. Forget asphalt, thanks to the permafrost. Summer isn’t much better with mud-induced traffic jams becoming legendary. So, when's the best time to go? Either dry summer or when it's frozen solid in winter. Hazards? Where do we begin? Think unsafe driving, dodgy roads, unmaintained vehicles, large trucks kicking up dust clouds, and outdated maps. Oh, and wildlife, including bears. But hey, if you're after a truly desolate adventure with scenery to die for (maybe literally!), this is your road. Just be prepared for anything!

Where is Ilgazdagi Gecidi?hard

Where is Ilgazdagi Gecidi?

🇹🇷 Turkey

Okay, road trip lovers, buckle up because we're heading to Ilgaz Dağı Geçidi, a wild mountain pass perched high on the border between Kastamonu and Çankiri in Turkey. You'll find this gem nestled in the Black Sea region, way up in the northern part of the country. The D765 is paved – mostly. There are a few concrete sections as you get closer to the top. Get ready for a seriously winding drive, with some sections that are, shall we say, "cozy." When winter hits, expect snow and ice to make things extra interesting. Heads up, rock slides are a real possibility! The good news is, if you're not a fan of heights and hairpin turns, there's a tunnel that bypasses the summit. Now, for the climb. Starting near Mülayim Yenice, you've got about 8.8 km of uphill action. In that short distance, you'll gain over 600 meters in elevation, making for an average gradient of almost 7% (with some spots hitting a grin-inducing 10%!). At the very top, if you're feeling adventurous, a little gravel road will take you even higher to the TRT Vericisi İstasyonu communication tower, topping out at over 2,000 meters. Get ready for some incredible views!