
Exploring the Rugged Beauty of Road 59 (Laxardalsvegur) in Iceland's Westfjords
Iceland, europe
35.8 km
201 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Iceland's Westfjords, rugged mountains, and you behind the wheel on Road 59, or as the locals call it, Laxárdalsvegur. Seriously, the scenery is out of this world!
This road winds through Húnaþing vestra and Dalabyggð, and most of it is gravel, so be prepared for a bumpy but oh-so-worth-it ride. The western bit is paved, so you get a little break. Don't worry, even though it gets narrow in spots, most cars can handle it just fine. And the best part? You'll practically have the road to yourself!
You'll climb up to 201 meters (659 feet) above sea level, giving you insane views. Just a heads-up, this road is usually closed in the winter, so aim for a summer adventure.
Clocking in at about 35.8 kilometers (22.24 miles), Road 59 connects Road 68 (north of Borðeyri) to Road 60 (north of Búðardalur). Get ready for an epic Icelandic road trip!
Where is it?
Exploring the Rugged Beauty of Road 59 (Laxardalsvegur) in Iceland's Westfjords is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 65.1346, -18.0401
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 35.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 201 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 65.1346, -18.0401
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