Driving the Scenic F337 Road Through Lunar-like Fields
Iceland, europe
28.9 km
681 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're headed to Iceland's Southern Region and craving an off-the-beaten-path experience, you HAVE to check out the F337, also known as Hlöðuvallavegur. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks!
Nestled in the Icelandic interior, near the stunning Þingvellir National Park, this 28.9 km (17.95-mile) beauty runs from Road 37 up to Road F338. Think lunar landscapes, a rough lava field at the foot of Mt Hlodufell, and some seriously epic views.
Word to the wise: This is strictly 4x4 territory. We're talking high clearance is a MUST. The road is entirely unpaved, and you'll be navigating some seriously rugged terrain, with big stones and sandy spots aplenty. Seriously, leave your little rental car at home.
Get ready for a climb! This road is STEEP. We're talking 500 vertical meters in just 4 km, with an average grade of 15%! It tops out at a whopping 681m (2,234ft) above sea level, making it one of Iceland's highest roads.
Heads up: it's usually closed from late October to late June/early July due to snow. And be prepared to be totally alone out there. This track is remote, traffic is minimal, and cell service can be spotty. Make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape before you go! But trust us, the views are SO worth it!
Where is it?
Driving the Scenic F337 Road Through Lunar-like Fields is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 65.0446, -18.6479
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 28.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 681 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 65.0446, -18.6479
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Pantà de Cavallers?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're in the Spanish Pyrenees, in Catalonia's Lleida province, headed up to the stunning Pantà de Cavallers reservoir. Perched way up high at 1,770m (5,807ft), this place is nestled in the Boi valley inside the Aiguestortes i Estany of Saint Maurici National Park. The road? It's an adventure! Officially called L-500, this paved ribbon winds its way up from Caldes de Boí. It's only 4.6 km (2.85 miles) long, but don't let that fool you. It's super narrow – forget passing another car easily – and packed with hairpin turns (seven, to be exact!). Seriously, bring your reversing skills. You'll climb 299 meters, averaging a gradient of 6.5% (hitting 10% in some spots!), so your car will get a workout. The views are absolutely worth it, though. Keep in mind it's usually open year-round, but winter weather can occasionally shut it down. At the dam, you'll find a little parking lot waiting for you.
moderateThings to Know Before Driving the Flooded Welney Wash Road
🇬🇧 England
Ever fancied driving a road that might be underwater? Then get yourself to the Welney Wash Road! Straddling the Norfolk-Cambridgeshire border in England, this fully paved stretch of the A1101 cuts right through the Ouse Washes Flood Storage Reservoir. Clocking in at just under a mile (1.28km), the Welney Wash Road, as it's locally known, connects the villages of Welney and Gold Hill. Sounds simple, right? Well, here's the catch: this road is prone to flooding. It's part of a flood defense system, so when the River Great Ouse gets a bit too enthusiastic, this area turns into a temporary reservoir. Think of it as a unique kind of road trip hazard! The usual river range at the causeway is between 0.46m and 2.40m, but once the water reaches 2.40m at Welney, it's time to turn around. Located in west Norfolk, works are underway to improve the causeway to hopefully prevent flooding. As for scenery, you're smack-dab in the heart of the Ouse Washes, so expect wide-open landscapes and unique views. Just be prepared to turn back if the water levels rise!
moderateCollado del Puerto
🇪🇸 Spain
Alright, thrill-seekers, let's talk about Collado del Puerto! Nestled high in the Sierra Nevada National Park in Granada, Andalucia, Spain, this peak sits pretty at 2,205 meters (that's 7,234 feet!). Heads up: the road to the top is unpaved, so you'll want to tackle this one from late spring to early fall, unless you're cool with snow. A 4x4 is definitely your best bet. Starting in the charming town of Lanteira, the climb stretches 9.5 kilometers, gaining 431 meters in elevation. We're talking an average gradient of 4.53%, so get ready for a steady climb! Expect incredible views and some challenging terrain. It's a must-do for any adventure traveler.
moderateWhen was the Klukhori Pass built?
🇬🇪 Georgia
Okay, picture this: you're in Abkhazia, a seriously gorgeous part of Georgia, staring up at the Klukhorskii Pass. This isn't just any road; it's one of Europe's highest, clocking in at a whopping 9,353 feet! You're close to the mind-blowing Oz.klukhor (Klukhor Lake), a sight for sore eyes. You're basically on the old SH10, aka the Sukhumi Military Road, a route that used to link Russia's Northern Caucasus to the Black Sea coast. Think ancient Alans and Byzantines used to trek this way! Back in the day, this was THE tourist route, number 43, super popular during the Soviet era. Built in the late 1800s during some seriously intense conflicts, this historical road winds for 209 miles through the Greater Caucasus, linking Cherkessk and Sukhumi. Heads up, though: tucked away in the northwestern part of the country, this road isn't exactly kept in tip-top shape these days, but for thousands of years, it bridged the North Caucasus and Asia Minor, even acting as a key bypass route for the Byzantine Empire to Central Asia. You'll cruise by the mountain resort of Teberda and the insanely beautiful Dombai fields. The Sukhumi Military Road is drop-dead gorgeous, and the area is known for tourism, so buckle up for stunning views, but remember that this is a historic, not-so-maintained route. Adventure awaits!