Driving the wild Road F985 (Jökulvegur)
Iceland, europe
17 km
918 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're up for a seriously epic Icelandic adventure, the F985, also known as Jökulvegur, is calling your name! This wild ride is located in Eastern Iceland and is ONLY for 4x4s. Seriously, don't even think about attempting this in anything less – it's practically vertical in sections!
This 17 km (10.5 mile) route winds its way from the Ring Road up to the majestic Skálafellsjökull glacier and the Jöklasel Hut. Think of it as your personal access road to a massive ice wonderland. Tour companies use it to shuttle folks up to the glacier for snowmobiling, and you can too!
This is one of Iceland’s infamous F Roads, so expect a rough, challenging, and super fun experience. It’s not for the faint of heart, especially with those crazy hairpin turns and seriously steep inclines. If heights aren't your thing, maybe sit this one out. Slippery conditions can make things extra dicey, and honestly, attempting this in a regular car is just a bad idea.
You'll climb all the way to 918m (3,011ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest roads in Iceland! Imagine driving through a lunar landscape, bouncing along a bumpy track only open during the summer (usually late June to early September). It's pretty remote, so hitting the road solo isn't recommended – you won’t see much traffic, inhabitants, or cell service!
But the views, oh, the views! They are absolutely breathtaking! And get this: you'll be driving through filming locations from movies like Batman Begins, James Bond, Tomb Raider, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and even Game of Thrones! How cool is that? Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Where is it?
Driving the wild Road F985 (Jökulvegur) is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 64.4465, -17.6520
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 17 km
- Max Elevation
- 918 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 64.4465, -17.6520
Related Roads in europe
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering Dil Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo del Dil Ready for an adventure at nearly 6,000 feet? Passo del Dil sits right on the border between Trentino-Alto Adige and Lombardy, and it's the kind of drive that'll get your adrenaline pumping. The journey starts smoothly enough with asphalt under your wheels, but things get real about 600 meters before you hit the pass. That's when the pavement gives way to gravel—rough gravel—and the road narrows considerably. Steep doesn't even begin to describe the climb; you're looking at gradients that top out at a gnarly 14%. The scenery? Absolutely stunning. You're weaving through high alpine terrain with views that make every hairpin turn worth it. Just keep in mind this isn't a year-round guarantee—snow closures are pretty common, so check conditions before you head out. This is one of those roads that rewards confident drivers with unforgettable mountain passes and dramatic Italian Alpine landscape.
easyWhere is Col du Pourtalet?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: Col du Pourtalet, straddling the border between Spain and France at a cool 5,898 feet. You'll find it chilling on the edge of Parc National des Pyrénées, linking the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in France with the province of Huesca in Spain. This used to be a full-on border crossing, and you can still spot the old border post! Ready to drive it? The road, also known as El Portalet or Portalet d'Aneu, is paved from end to end. It's about 34 miles long, running north-south from Laruns (France) to Biescas (Spain). Weekends and summer can get a bit busy, so plan accordingly. If you're coming from Biescas, the climb is around 18 miles with a 3% average grade. It's a pretty fast, wide-open road with killer scenery. The road's built for ski resort traffic, so you know it's coach-friendly! Now, tackling the French side (from Laruns), you're in for about 18 miles of climbing. Expect three main "ramps" at around 7% grade, mixed with longer, gentler slopes. You'll cruise through gorges, alpine meadows, and authentic Pyrenean villages. It's generally an easy climb, sticking around 5%, with one steeper section near a dam. Plus, traffic's usually not too bad. The payoff at the top? Incredible views of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau mountain and the Cirque d’Anéou, where sheep and cows graze peacefully. You can also grab some grub at the supermarkets, bars, and restaurants before heading back down. The pass connects the Ossau (France) and Tena (Spain) valleys, too. Heads up, the climb can get pretty steep in sections, hitting almost 9% on some ramps. And while it's usually open in winter, heavy snow can close it for a couple of days.
extremeWhere is Bivacco Carmagnola?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're in the Italian Alps, in the Piedmont region, heading into the Maira Alta Valley. Your destination? Bivacco Carmagnola, a mountain refuge perched way up high at 2,840 meters (that's over 9,300 feet!). Getting there is an adventure in itself! This isn't your typical Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about a 15.7 km (almost 10 miles) old military road that climbs a staggering 1,453 meters. Think steep, unpaved, and narrow. Real narrow. Like, "hold your breath and pray no one's coming the other way" narrow. The last bit is seriously gnarly, with parts of the road practically gone thanks to landslides. You'll definitely need a 4x4 for this one! It's a pretty rough ride overall. But hey, the views are killer! Plus, you'll pass remnants of old military bunkers and fortifications – a cool glimpse into history. Just be warned: the access is pretty much limited to summertime. But if you're up for a challenge and crave some seriously stunning mountain scenery, this white-knuckle drive to Sella dell’Auccia is unforgettable.
extremeIs the road to Mengene Dağı unpaved?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you find yourself in Turkey's Van Province and crave a serious off-road challenge, Mengene Dağı is calling your name. This peak soars to a whopping 3,176 meters (that's over 10,400 feet!), and getting there is no joke. Forget smooth asphalt; we're talking a 12-kilometer (7.45-mile) stretch of pure, unadulterated, unpaved wilderness starting from Yolmaçayır. Brace yourself for hairpin turns that'll test your skills, narrow passages that demand precision, and heart-stopping drop-offs that'll make you question your life choices (in a good way, of course!). A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's mandatory. Oh, and did I mention this road is only accessible in the summer? Think snow-capped vistas and breathtaking views... if you dare to look! Mengene Dağı isn't just a drive; it's an unforgettable experience.