How Many Tunnels Are There in Iceland?
Iceland, europe
11 km
30 m
hard
Year-round
# Iceland's Amazing Tunnel Network: A Underground Road Trip
Want to experience some truly unique driving? Iceland's got you covered with 14 incredible road tunnels that'll make your journey unforgettable. Built since the 1960s, these tunnels have completely transformed how people get around the country—think less time stuck behind scenic overlooks and more time actually exploring them!
## The Big Players
**Héðinsfjarðargöng** is the showstopper—an 11-kilometer monster that opened in 2010. It connects Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður up in North Iceland near Akureyri, and here's the cool part: it actually dips down through Héðinsfjörður before continuing on. Best of all? It's completely free.
**Breiðadals tunnel** out in the Westfjords is a trip in the best way possible. This 9.12-kilometer beauty (opened in 1996) has something you won't find anywhere else—an underground crossroad! You might actually encounter traffic from Suðureyri while you're driving through, which sounds chaotic but works surprisingly well thanks to plenty of passing spots. The tunnel switches between two lanes and single lanes depending on the section.
Head north of Ísafjörður and you'll find another 2010 gem—a straightforward 5.4-kilometer two-lane tunnel with great lighting that whisks you from Ísafjörður to Bolungarvík.
## The Classics
**Arnardalshamar** holds the crown as Iceland's first tunnel. This tiny 30-meter pioneer sits between Ísafjörður and Súðavík and marks the beginning of the country's tunnel era.
**Strákagöng** opened way back in 1967 and is just 800 meters of single-lane goodness in northern Iceland. Fair warning: you'll need to follow local single-lane etiquette here.
## The Workhorses
**Múlagöng** (3.4 km, opened 1990) connects Dalvík and Ólafsfjörður as a single-lane tunnel with passing areas to keep things flowing.
**Hvalfjörður tunnel** deserves its fame. Just 30 kilometers north of Reykjavík on the Ring Road, this 5.7-kilometer tunnel burrows 165 meters below sea level—making it one of the world's deepest sea tunnels. Before it opened in 1998, the drive took an hour longer. Now? Seven minutes flat. And since 2018, it's free to use!
**Norðfjarðargöng** (7.5 kilometers, near Eskifjörður) is the modern replacement for the older Oddsskarð tunnel, offering safer, smoother driving through the area.
## The New Wave
**Fáskrúðsfjarðargöng** (5.9 km, opened 2005) provides two-way lanes to connect Eastfjords communities with ease.
**Almannaskarð** (1.3 km, opened 2005) might be short, but it's a game-changer—it finally gave people a safe route between south and east Iceland, replacing those sketchy mountain passes everyone used to dread.
Ready to tunnel through Iceland?
Where is it?
How Many Tunnels Are There in Iceland? is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 64.5284, -17.8649
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 11 km
- Max Elevation
- 30 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 64.5284, -17.8649
Related Roads in europe
hardLac d'Aubert
🇫🇷 France
Okay, listen up, fellow road trippers! I've got a killer route for you in the French Pyrenees. We're talking Lac d'Aubert, a stunning alpine lake chilling at a cool 7,096 feet! This baby's tucked away in the Hautes-Pyrénées, part of the Midi-Pyrénées region in southwestern France. The road up? Seriously epic. Think one of the highest paved routes you can find in these mountains—even higher than some *other* famous climbs I won't name! Get ready for some serious fun as the cliff road winds its way around to the dam, throwing some seriously tight hairpin turns at you. Be warned, this isn't for the faint of heart. Expect some steep sections, maxing out at 15% grades. Plus, being so high up, snow is a real possibility in winter, and the road can close if things get too snowy. It's about 26 hairpin turns all the way to Pas de l’Escous. But trust me, the views are SO worth it!
moderateWhen was Flexen Pass in Austria built?
🇦🇹 Austria
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Vorarlberg on Road 198, also known as the Flexenpass, a seriously cool mountain pass that tops out at 1,781m (5,843ft). This isn't just some quick hop over a hill, though. We're talking about a 15.6 km (9.69 miles) stretch of winding road connecting Warth to Stuben am Arlberg. Expect some steep sections – some ramps max out at a 10% gradient! And get this: near the summit, the road dives into this super old, 1.550m long avalanche tunnel called the Flexengalerie. The road in that tunnel is in bad condition and the ceiling is made of old oak wood! It's one lane only, so a traffic light keeps things moving. Speaking of, keep an eye on the weather if you're heading up here, because even though they keep the road open in winter, short-term closures are common. The summit is also home to a parking lot and a small snack bar (Restaurant Flexenhäusl). If you're not stopping, expect the trip to take between 25 and 30 minutes. Get ready for some incredible views of the Austrian Alps!
hardWhen do F-roads in Iceland open?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Iceland's F-roads – the gateway to the wild highlands! These aren't your average paved highways; we're talking rugged, unpaved gravel tracks that lead into the heart of Iceland's incredible interior. Think mountain roads, river crossings, and landscapes that will blow your mind. With the right vehicle and some planning, tackling these F-roads is an adventure you'll never forget. So, when can you actually hit these epic routes? The F-roads usually open up once all that pesky snow melts away, generally sometime between early June and late July. More often than not, most of them are clear by early July, right before peak summer season. Keep in mind that river levels and any road work can affect things, but snow is the main boss here. Also, it's super important to know the difference between a road marked "impassable," "closed," and "no winter service" to stay safe. When an F-road opens depends on the weather and where it is. Colder weather? Expect a delay. Massive snowfall last winter? It'll take longer. Warmer spring? You might get lucky! And remember, roads in the middle of Iceland (the coldest part) will open later than others. Sadly, the F-road party has to end sometime. They usually close when snow, rain, or crazy storms make them too dangerous. This typically happens from late August to mid-October, with late September being the riskiest time. That's when the first big snowfalls hit the highlands, turning those roads into no-go zones. Basically, hitting the F-roads is all about timing. These unpaved wonders lead to Iceland's most stunning, crowd-free spots. While the exact opening dates are a bit of a guessing game (weather, snow melt, location!), aim for June or July. And as summer fades, keep an eye out – those roads will slowly close up as winter approaches.
moderateDriving the wild Monte Aquiana
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Monte Aquiana (or Guiana) in the León province of northwest Spain. This peak hits a whopping 1,819m (5,967ft) in elevation and sits pretty in the Montes de León range. The road to the top? Let's just say it's an off-road experience. It's unpaved, it's steep, and a 4x4 is your best friend. You can usually tackle it year-round, but be warned, winter weather might throw a temporary "road closed" sign your way. Up top, you'll find the remains of the Ermita Virgen de la Guiana, a seriously old chapel. The climb starts from Campo de las Danzas, right off the LE-158/4 road. It's a 5.7km stretch with an average gradient of 5.1%, but hold on tight because you'll hit some ramps with a 13% incline! But trust me, the views? Totally worth it.