Here's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Húsavík Mountain

Here's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Húsavík Mountain

Iceland, europe

Length

3 km

Elevation

378 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're cruising Iceland's north coast near Húsavík, you HAVE to check out Húsavík Mountain. This peak tops out at 378 meters (1,240 feet), and the views? Unreal!

The road to the top is a 3km gravel track that kicks up a gradient of 10.4%. Think bumpy ride in a 4x4 - essential, especially since snow is a real possibility in winter. Trust me, you'll need it!

The view from the top is insane, you'll see across Skjálfandi Bay, the stark black deserts leading towards Mývatn, and the serene Botnsvatn Lake. But, heads up - this road is a bit of a wild card. Even a little rain can turn it into a challenge with loose gravel, so keep your eyes peeled. The last stretch is pretty steep, so be prepared for that too. But the panoramic views? Totally worth the white knuckles.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Iceland
Continent
europe
Length
3 km
Max Elevation
378 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in europe

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling to Portarró d'Espotmoderate

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling to Portarró d'Espot

🇪🇸 Spain

# Portarró d'Espot Want to experience one of Spain's most epic mountain drives? Portarró d'Espot sits at a serious 2,430m (7,972ft) elevation and ranks among the country's highest roads—no small feat! This gem is tucked inside Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park, one of Spain's fourteen protected national parks. Fair warning: the winding route up to the lake is genuinely challenging. The road is completely unpaved and closed to regular cars, so you'll need a 4x4 to even attempt it. Pro tip—weather matters big time here. Storm systems can make the road impassable even for four-wheel-drive vehicles, and the best (really, only realistic) time to visit is during summer months. Starting from the charming town of Espot in Pallars Sobirà, you've got a 13.4km climb ahead of you. That stretch packs in a hefty 1,098 meters of elevation gain, averaging an 8.19% gradient. It's a proper workout for your vehicle—and your nerves! But here's the payoff: the panoramic views from the summit are absolutely breathtaking. You'll get a 360-degree showcase of the entire park spread out below you. If you're after jaw-dropping mountain scenery and don't mind a bit of adventure, this is totally worth the effort.

Köse Dağhard

Köse Dağ

🇹🇷 Turkey

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near Sivas Province, Turkey, and you've got a serious itch for a challenging off-road experience, Köse Dağ is calling your name. This beast of a peak tops out at a whopping 2,804 meters (that's 9,199 feet for us Americans!), and the road to get there? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Think gravel, think rocks, and think seriously steep inclines. You'll need a 4x4, no question about it. Expect some tight hairpin turns as you climb up to Kirklar Mescidi on the summit of Soganli Daglari. Oh, and a heads-up: this road is usually snowed in from October to June, so plan your trip accordingly! But trust me, if you're up for the challenge, the views from the top are absolutely worth it.

Sa Calobramoderate

Sa Calobra

🇪🇸 Spain

# Sa Calobra: Mallorca's Most Iconic Switchback If you've scrolled through travel Instagram, you've probably seen *that* photo of the impossibly tight road loop on Mallorca's northwest coast. Welcome to Sa Calobra—and yes, it's even more spectacular in person. This legendary route plunges from the Coll dels Reis pass (682 meters) down to sea level in just 9.4 kilometers of pure adrenaline. The showstopper? A jaw-dropping 270-degree hairpin turn where the road actually loops under itself like a snake eating its tail. Built way back in 1932 by Italian engineer Antonio Parietti, it's still one of Europe's most photographed road features, and you'll understand why the moment you see it. The descent cuts through the Serra de Tramuntana mountains (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the views are absolutely unreal—think dramatic limestone cliffs dropping straight into turquoise Mediterranean waters. With twelve major hairpins and gradients reaching 7%, this is serious cyclist territory. The annual Sa Calobra cycling event proves it: thousands of riders flock here every year to conquer the brutal climb back up. At the bottom, you'll find a charming cove where the Torrent de Pareis gorge—one of Mallorca's most impressive natural wonders—meets the sea. The gorge is totally hikeable through short tunnels carved right into the rock, and the beach is perfect for a refreshing swim after your drive. Fair warning: this road gets absolutely rammed with traffic in summer. Go early morning if you want to actually enjoy the experience without bumper-to-bumper madness.

Driving the infamous D220-Les Travers, a French balcony roadhard

Driving the infamous D220-Les Travers, a French balcony road

🇫🇷 France

# Route Departementale 220: France's Jaw-Dropping Mountain Corniche If you're hunting for one of France's most dramatic scenic drives, head to the Isère department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. Route Departementale 220—locals call it Les Travers—is a short but utterly spectacular mountain road that'll have your heart racing for all the right reasons. This 5.7 km (3.54 miles) ribbon of asphalt winds west to east from D1091 to D213, hugging the mountainside as it makes its way toward Les Deux Alpes. And here's the thing: you'll be driving along a genuine cliff face with nothing but a foot-high wall between you and a absolutely insane drop down to the valley. The views toward Col de Sarenne are seriously stunning. Now, let's be real—this road is no joke. The most dramatic section is genuinely narrow (we're talking traffic lights at the tightest spots), with single-track portions and overhanging rock that demand serious respect. Heavy vehicles aren't even allowed, which tells you something. It's one of France's most famous balcony roads near Bourg d'Oisans, and for good reason. Fair warning though: it's busier than you'd expect for such a wild route, so if you were hoping for a peaceful cycling adventure, you might want to look elsewhere. The road typically stays open year-round, but winter snow and falling rocks can force closures, so check conditions before you go. Ready for the experience? This is balcony driving at its finest.