
Driving the wild F223 Road in southern Iceland
Iceland, europe
1.4 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Hey adventurers, let me tell you about the F223, or Eldgjárvegur, in Iceland's wild Southern Region! This little gem is short—only about a mile—but don't let that fool you. You'll need a serious 4x4 with some major river-fording skills to even get to it, as it’s one of Iceland’s famed F-roads. Forget about phone service or any kind of help out here; you're on your own!
Think of the F223 as the easy part. It's a pretty chill, unpaved track that takes you from the F208 to a parking area near the stunning Ófærufoss waterfall. From there, you can hike to Eldgjá, a massive canyon formed by one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in history.
The real challenge is the F208 to get to the F223! It’s a beast with steep, rocky hills, bumpy sections, loose rocks, and boggy areas.
Once you arrive, though, you're rewarded with insane Icelandic scenery. Plus, there’s a big parking lot, a ranger station, and even fancy toilets at Eldgjá! This road is usually only open in the summer, from late June to early September, so plan accordingly!
Where is it?
Driving the wild F223 Road in southern Iceland is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 64.3019, -17.3973
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 1.4 km
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 64.3019, -17.3973
Related Roads in europe
hardHow to get to Palinkopf in the Samnaun Alps
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Palinkopf: Alpine Adventure on Four Wheels Ready for a seriously epic drive? Palinkopf sits pretty at 2,863m (9,393ft) on the Swiss-Austrian border, straddling Tyrol and Grisons. It's legitimately one of the highest roads you can drive in the country. Here's the deal: this isn't your typical paved highway. It's a raw, unpaved service road that keeps the chairlifts running at the Samnaun-Ischgl ski area. You'll absolutely need 4x4 credentials for this one—we're talking gnarly 20% gradients that'll test your nerves and your vehicle's limits. Starting from Ischgl on the Austrian side, you're looking at 12km (7.4 miles) of pure elevation gain: 1,505m of climbing at an average 12.5% gradient. Yeah, it's steep. But the payoff? You're threading through the stunning Samnaun Alps with views that'll make your Instagram followers jealous. The catch? This is a summer-only adventure. The window for driving this beauty is narrow and weather-dependent, so timing is everything. But if you nail it, you'll experience one of the Alps' most thrilling high-altitude drives.
hardWhere is Monte Corrasi?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up! We're heading to Monte Corrasi, a seriously wild mountain peak way up in Sardinia, Italy. Forget the beaches for a day because this is a whole other level of Mediterranean magic. Picture this: you're in Nuoro province, right inside the Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu. The summit? It's like another planet! Windswept and raw, with crazy rock formations—think caves, gullies, and these wild, pointy rock towers. And the views? Unreal! You're looking straight down into the valley far below. Now, about the drive up... it's called Strada del Monte Corrasi, and it's an experience. We're talking unpaved all the way, super narrow, and crazy steep. Imagine 25 hairpin turns snaking up through the forest. Seriously, you'll want a vehicle with some decent clearance for this one. You can't quite drive *all* the way to the very top (the road's blocked near the summit), but you can get pretty darn close. The fun starts from Strada Provinciale 22 (SP-22), and it's about 6.2 km (almost 4 miles) to the parking spot. Don't let the short distance fool you; you climb 751 meters, so the average incline is over 12%! Get ready for a climb, and views that will stay with you long after you've come down.
extremeColle della Boaria is a challenging drive in the Cottian Alps
🇮🇹 Italy
# Col de la Boaire-Colle della Boaria Sitting pretty at 2,102m (6,896ft) above sea level, this international alpine pass connects France and Italy right on their border. It bridges the Queyras valley in the French Hautes-Alpes with the charming Italian town of Pontechianale in Piedmont's Cuneo province. This isn't just any mountain road—it's got serious history. Originally carved out in the Middle Ages to haul salt from Ventimiglia to Turin via Limone Piemonte, the route was later expanded during WWII with military purposes in mind. The French and Italians beefed it up to connect the string of border forts, and you can still feel that military heritage as you wind through. Here's the real talk: the entire road to the summit is unpaved—a proper dirt track called the Via del Sale. We're talking genuinely gnarly conditions that demand serious respect. This isn't a casual Sunday drive; a 20km/h speed limit tells you everything you need to know. Regular cars? Not recommended. You'll want something with proper clearance and nerve. Nestled in the Cottian Alps, the pass shuts down from November through March every single year. Winter here is no joke—avalanches, heavy snow dumps, and treacherous ice patches can appear without warning. Conditions shift fast and can turn brutal in a heartbeat. But here's the payoff: when conditions allow, this wild dirt ribbon hugs the Maritime Alps ridges with jaw-dropping views that stretch from the sea to the mountains. It's raw, it's remote, and it's absolutely stunning for those brave enough to tackle it.
hardAdventure along the dangerous Lena River Ice Road
🌍 Russia
Hey thrill-seekers! Ever dreamed of driving on a frozen river? Then pack your bags for the Republic of Sakha in Russia! Here, you'll find the legendary Lena River Ice Road, connecting Yakutsk to Nizhny Bestyakh. This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a 15.6 km (9.69 mile) stretch across the mighty Lena River, the 11th longest in the world. Picture this: you, your vehicle, and nothing but a ribbon of ice separating you from the frigid depths. Open only from late December to mid-April, this ice road is a lifeline, delivering crucial supplies to remote Siberian villages. It’s the only way to get from Yakutsk to the northern districts. But hold on tight – this journey comes with risks! The ice can be unpredictable, with cracks and thaws that have claimed vehicles and lives. You might even encounter closures due to sudden icing. Despite the hazards, this icy route offers breathtaking scenery. Just imagine the vast, white expanse stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget – if you dare to take it!