How long is Route 35 in Iceland?
Iceland, europe
168 km
672 m
moderate
Year-round
Ready for a true Icelandic adventure? Buckle up (in your 4x4, of course!) and get ready to tackle the F35, also known as the Kjalvegur Road or Kjölur Route. This isn't your average Sunday drive.
Stretching 168km (104 miles) from south to north, through the Kjölur plateau in Iceland's highlands, this gravel road winds through the heart of the country. We're talking elevations around 600–700 meters, so be prepared for some serious views!
The F35 is an F road, open roughly from late June to mid-September. Think unpaved, potentially rough terrain, and rapidly changing weather. A 4WD is a must. Forget about taking your rental sedan - seriously!
While there aren't any major river crossings directly on the F35 itself (they are bridged), conditions can still vary wildly. Check the weather forecast *before* you go, and be prepared for anything.
The first part of the road isn't too bad, but soon the road turns to gravel and rocks. You'll be crawling along at 40km/h (25mph) in places, and some sections may require speeds under 10km/h! Budget 5–6 hours for the drive, without stops.
But the scenery? Absolutely worth it. Glaciers (Langjökull and Hofsjökull), mountains, and highland lakes await! It's a photographer's dream.
Make sure to stop at Hveravellir, about a third of the way along the F35. This remote spot has a restaurant, a swimming pool, hiking trails, and even natural hot springs! Or detour briefly to Kerlingarfjöll (via F347), a mountain range with snow-capped peaks, hot springs, and colorful vegetation.
Just remember to bring your sense of adventure, and always be prepared for the unexpected!
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 168 km
- Max Elevation
- 672 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateCan you drive to Oberalp Pass?
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Alright, road trip enthusiasts, buckle up for the Oberalp Pass! This epic Swiss Alp adventure straddles the line between Graubünden and Uri cantons, topping out at a cool 2,048m (6,719ft). You bet your wheels can handle it! Route 19, the fully paved pathway to the summit (also called Alpsu d'Ursera or Oberalppass if you're feeling fancy), is ready and waiting. Picture this: the road was carved back in 1862/63, making it a true vintage experience. The 32km (almost 20 miles) stretch from Disentis to Andermatt packs a punch, with gradients hitting a maximum of 10% in some spots. This isn't the busiest pass around, so you can enjoy the twists and turns with a bit more breathing room. Heads up though: Mother Nature usually closes the road from late October until late April or even mid-May, so plan your trip accordingly. Oh, and get this – there's a freaking lighthouse at the summit! Yep, a 14-meter beacon standing tall above 2000 meters, twinned with Rotterdam's Hoek van Holland lighthouse. It's there as a symbol of being the source of the Rhine River. While you're up there, take a moment to soak in the views. Just remember Nufenen Pass, is another one of Switzerland's highest paved roads!
extremeDriving the M-130 to Puerto de la Puebla: The wildest pass in Madrid
🇪🇸 Spain
# Puerto de la Puebla: Madrid's Best-Kept Mountain Secret Tucked away in northern Madrid's Sierra del Lobosillo range, the Puerto de la Puebla sits at 1,636m and delivers one of Central Spain's most genuine driving experiences. If you're tired of the tourist-packed Sierra de Guadarrama routes, this is your place. The M-130 is a narrow, winding ribbon of asphalt that threads through slate-grey mountains and dense pine forests. Welcome to the "Sierra Pobre"—a region that's been isolated for centuries, which means you get raw, untouched mountain scenery without the crowds. Expect sweeping panoramas of the Lozoya Valley and the jagged peaks of Sierra de Ayllón stretching out before you. ## The Drive Itself This 18.2 km journey runs west to east from Prádena del Rincón to the sleepy town of Puebla de la Sierra. The asphalt is decent enough, but fair warning: the road is genuinely narrow and many sections don't even have a centre line. You'll need to be ready to negotiate with oncoming traffic, sometimes with a fair bit of backing up involved. The technical challenge comes from 12 sharp hairpin turns that demand real concentration and careful steering. Gradients aren't consistent, but several stretches hit steep 11-12% climbs that'll test your brakes on the way down. Since this isn't a busy highway, local cyclists and motorcyclists love it—keep your eyes peeled on blind corners because you might find someone in the middle of the lane. ## Winter Warning & Practicalities This pass closes early when snow arrives—it's one of the first in the Madrid region to get shut down. Even on sunny days, black ice lurks in the shaded forest sections, so winter driving here demands serious caution. There's essentially nothing along the entire 18 km stretch, so fuel up in Prádena and bring warm layers before you go. The descent toward Puebla is particularly dramatic, with the road hugging the mountainside as it plunges into the valley below. If you want a technically challenging drive combined with genuine mountain solitude, this hidden gem delivers in spades. Take your time, soak it in, and you'll discover one of Spain's most biodiverse and beautifully remote corners.
moderateWhere is Somport Pass?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the border of France and Spain, high up in the Pyrenees Mountains. You're tackling the Puerto de Somport-Col du Somport, an international mountain pass that tops out at a cool 1,637 meters (5,370 feet). This beauty connects the province of Huesca in Spain with the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in France, nestled between the Aragón and Aspe river valleys. The name? It's all about location, location, location – "summus portus" in Latin, meaning the highest port. Get ready for a 16.2 km (10.06 miles) paved adventure from Canfranc-Estación in Spain to Les Forges d'Abel in France. This road, also known as Port of Aspe or Port of Canfranc (N330a), has even played host to the Tour de France and Vuelta a España – so expect some steep climbs, with ramps hitting a 10% grade in places. The pass is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather. If things get too wild, there's always the Túnel de Somport, an 8.6 kilometre (5.3 mi) long tunnel that bypasses the pass that's open all year.
moderateCollado de la Mina
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, so picture this: you're cruising through the heart of Andalusia, Spain, in Granada province. You're heading up to Collado de la Mina, a mountain pass that sits way up high at 2,024 meters (6,640 feet). This isn't your average Sunday drive though; you're in the Parque Natural Sierra de Baza, nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and the road to the top is pure gravel. Seriously, it's an old mining road, so be prepared. Storms can roll in quick, turning the route into a 4x4 challenge or even washing it out completely. Winter? Brutal. But trust me, it's worth it. Keep an eye out for Refugio Prados del Rey, a cool mountain lodge near the top. And the scenery? Incredible. Think lush vegetation, huge, damp meadows, and ancient pine trees that have been standing guard for centuries. Just remember to check the weather and maybe air down those tires—adventure awaits!