How long is Road 864?
Iceland, europe
56.4 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for Road 864, aka Hólsfjallavegur, in Northeast Iceland! This isn't your typical Sunday drive. Imagine a 56.4 km (35 mile) stretch of pure, unadulterated Icelandic wilderness. We're talking lunar landscape vibes, deep inside Vatnajökull National Park.
Fair warning: this road is unsealed, bumpy, and dusty! Seriously, *everything* in your car will be coated. Think corrugated gravel, potholes aplenty - a proper off-road adventure. A 4x4 is your best bet, though passenger cars can brave it in good conditions.
Road 864 runs parallel to the paved route, going north-south from Road 85 near Thvera. Plan for a 1-2 hour drive *without* stops (but who would do that?!). Keep in mind, winter means closed gates due to snow and mud, so aim for late May or early summer.
Why endure the dust and bumps? Because this road leads to the eastern side of Dettifoss, one of Europe's most powerful waterfalls! Picture this: 500 cubic meters of water per second thundering over the edge. Trust me, it's worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 56.4 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardIs the old road through Loibl Pass unpaved?
🇦🇹 Austria
Loibl Pass, straddling Austria and Slovenia at a lofty 1,367m (4,485ft), is one seriously old-school mountain pass—we're talking ancient Roman times! Forget smooth sailing; the original road to the top is a wild ride. It's unpaved, seriously narrow, and throws 16 hairpin turns at you. This 5 km (3.10 miles) stretch is a twisty, turny beast! Historically, it's the quickest way from Ferlach (Austria) to Tržič (Slovenia). The pass also carries a somber note, with a memorial on the Slovenian side remembering the victims of a WWII forced labor camp. But hey, there's a renovated mountain hostel up there too, with awesome views of the Ljubljana and Klagenfurt basins on a clear day. Heads up: the old summit road has been closed to cars since 1967. Cyclists and hikers, rejoice! If you're *really* keen on driving it, you might sweet-talk the local Ferlach police for a permit, but it'll only get you so far on the Austrian side. Once you reach the top, you're turning around at the Slovenian border.
hardAlpe Vieille
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're in Italy's Valle d’Aosta, ready for an adventure. Alpe Vieille is calling your name, a mountain pass way up at 2,240 meters (that's over 7,300 feet!). This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking gravel roads – narrow, steep, and guaranteed to give your suspension a workout. It's an old military road, so you'll pass some seriously cool historic sites, like old barracks and an abandoned village. The views? Absolutely insane. Just a heads up, though, this road is usually snowed in during the winter, so plan accordingly!
hardIs the 64H-3 Road Paved?
🌍 Russia
Hey adventure junkies! Ever heard of the 64H-3 on Sakhalin Island, Russia? This coastal road stretches a whopping 406 km (252 miles) from Smirnykh to Kholmsk, hugging the stunning Strait of Tartary. Picture this: endless Pacific Ocean views! Heads up: most of it's unpaved, but totally doable in most vehicles when it's dry. Speaking of safety, steer clear of trouble in Sakhalin's capital; otherwise, you're good to go. Oh, and for all you international explorers, you'll need permits from the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Border Guard to roam beyond Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Weather-wise, Sakhalin's got extremes. Think long, brutal winters – we're talking snow from November to late April, blizzards galore, and temps plummeting to -30 degrees Celsius! Even summer can throw you curveballs with surprise temperature drops, especially up in the arctic tundra. So, is it worth the trek? Absolutely! Sakhalin's wilderness is a playground – dense forests, islands swarming with seals, rivers teeming with fish, epic ski slopes, and, yes, even bears! Just be warned, the roads aren't exactly smooth sailing. Public transport is scarce, and many spots demand a 4x4. But don't sweat it; you can hire a driver and vehicle for a safe and unforgettable ride. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
extremeRoad trip guide: Conquering Latpari Pass
🇬🇪 Georgia
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Let me tell you about Pereval Latpari, a seriously epic mountain pass in Georgia's Svaneti province. We're talking about a lofty perch at 2,834 meters (that's 9,297 feet!) in the majestic Greater Caucasus range. You'll find this beauty nestled in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, way out west. The road itself stretches for about 21.4 kilometers (13.29 miles) winding from Davberi to Chvelpi. Fair warning, though: this isn't a Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved and can be rough. Think nail-biting drop-offs and sections so narrow you'll be holding your breath. You'll definitely want a high-clearance 4x4 to tackle this one! But hey, the views? Absolutely incredible! Plus, you'll be journeying through some seriously remote areas. Keep an eye on the calendar, too, because it usually opens around late May, with most of the snow gone by mid-June. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!