How long is the R21 Highway?
Russia, europe
1,340 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, road trip fans, listen up! If you're craving an epic adventure across Russia, the R21 Highway is calling your name. This beast stretches a whopping 1,340 km (832 miles) from the vibrant city of Saint Petersburg on the Baltic Sea all the way north to Murmansk, perched on the edge of the Barents Sea.
Get ready to trade cityscapes for sprawling landscapes as you cruise through the heart of Karelia and the Murmansk Oblast. You'll even cross the Arctic Circle, so keep an eye out for the Northern Lights!
The good news? The road is paved the whole way, so no need for a monster truck. Just be aware that you'll be sharing the road with plenty of heavy trucks, so stay alert. Word to the wise: this area can be pretty polluted, and conditions can be rough. But don't let that scare you off; just make sure you're well-prepared for a long haul. This is one seriously unforgettable drive.
Road Details
- Country
- Russia
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 1,340 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardPolot Tepesi
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just found the ultimate off-road experience in Turkey's Black Sea region: Polot Tepesi. This beast of a mountain tops out at 2,862 meters (that's 9,389 feet!). The gravel road to the summit? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Think hairpin turns tighter than your grandma's purse strings and bumps that'll rattle your teeth. Oh, and did I mention the potential for heavy snow? This baby can be closed faster than you can say "winter wonderland," so check conditions before you go. Seriously, a 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's REQUIRED. This trail is steep, and even a little rain can turn the road into a slippery, loose-gravel nightmare. But if you're prepared for a challenge and not afraid of heights, the views from the top are absolutely insane. Trust me, the scenery is worth every white-knuckle moment!
hardGros Crey
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! Gros Crey, nestled in the French Alps of the Savoie department (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region), is calling your name. We're talking serious altitude here: 2,581 meters (that's 8,467 feet!). Heads up, this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road is a gravelly, rocky, and at times, pretty rough chairlift access trail. Expect a steep climb, and be prepared for conditions that can make it impassable from October to June. And the wind? Let's just say it's a constant companion up here. Even in summer, you might find yourself dodging snowflakes! Winter? Brutally cold. But the views, oh, the views! Driving to the summit of Mont Rond provides a natural balcony with a panorama of Lake Geneva and the Alps. Worth the bumps, right?
hardLac de Cap-de-Long: One of the Highest Paved Roads in the French Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Lac de Cap-de-Long: A Alpine Adventure Ready for one seriously epic mountain drive? Lac de Cap-de-Long sits pretty at 2,161m (7,089ft) in France's Hautes-Pyrénées, making it one of the loftiest paved roads in the entire French Pyrenees—yep, it actually beats the legendary Col du Tourmalet! Nestled in the Occitania region of southwestern France, this stunning reservoir is just south of Lac d'Aubert. The road curves dramatically around the northern edge of the Crête des Alharisses, treating you to absolutely jaw-dropping mountain vistas the whole way. The best part? The entire route to France's largest Pyrenean reservoir is paved. Sure, it gets a bit squeezed in places, but totally doable. The D929—locals call it the Route des Lacs—climbs as a dead-end road, snaking toward the dam through a spectacular finale of hairpin turns that'll get your adrenaline pumping. Starting from the village of Aragnouet, you're looking at a 13.5 km (8.38 miles) push uphill that gains 1,029 meters of elevation. The average gradient hangs around 7.62%, but some sections crank up to a spicy 11.8%. Once you reach the top, you'll find a sprawling parking area (fair warning: it gets packed during peak season), a café for well-deserved refreshments, and tons of hiking trails branching out through the alpine landscape.
extremeIs Road 955 Paved?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, road trip enthusiasts, buckle up for Route 955 – the Vattarnesvegur! This hidden gem winds along Iceland's eastern coast for about 30 glorious miles, linking the charming villages of Fáskrúðsfjörður (aka Búðir) and Reyðarfjörður (a lively port town). Starting and ending right on Iceland's famous Ring Road, getting here is a breeze. But trust me, this detour is *so* worth it! You’ll hug the south side of that awesome, hollow cliff island, and the views are seriously epic. Heads up, though: sections of the road can be a bit bumpy, so take it slow and enjoy the ride. Keep an eye out for fog – it can roll in thick and fast. Watch for falling rocks, too! This coastal route boasts jaw-dropping landscapes, but be aware of the steep drop-offs to the ocean below along some sections. The road isn't too busy, and the photo opportunities are endless, making this a must-do detour on your Icelandic adventure.