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
moderateSilla de la Yegua: Ultimate 4wd destination in Leon
🇪🇸 Spain
# Silla de la Yegua: A Wild Mountain Drive in Northern Spain Looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure? Head to the Province of León in Spain and tackle Silla de la Yegua, a rugged 2,135-meter (7,004 ft) peak that'll test your driving skills and reward you with some seriously remote mountain vibes. Nestled in the Montes Aquilanos range within the Montes de León system, this peak sits just south-southeast of El Bierzo in the Castile and León region. Fair warning: the summit is crowned with communication towers and facilities, so it's got that authentic working-mountain feel. The Road Itself: Starting from Los Portillinos Pass on Road LE-CV-192/21, you're looking at a punchy 3.4-kilometer (2.11-mile) push uphill via Pico El Morredero. That's about 243 meters of elevation gain with an average gradient of 7.14%—steep but manageable if your vehicle is up for it. Here's the catch though: this is pure unpaved terrain. A 4x4 is basically essential if you want any chance of success. The Montes Aquilanos throw serious weather your way, and winter conditions make the road nearly impassable. Even when conditions aren't extreme, you'll encounter plenty of challenging moments. If you're comfortable with rocky tracks, sketchy conditions, and the thrill of conquering a genuine mountain road, Silla de la Yegua delivers an unforgettable experience in one of Spain's wildest corners.
moderateWhere is Ziyeret Pass?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Okay, road trip lovers, listen up! If you're cruising through central Turkey between Kayseri and Sivas provinces, you *have* to check out Ziyeret Geçidi! This fully paved pass tops out at a cool 1,933 meters (that's 6,341 feet!). You'll find it nestled south of , right in the heart of the Central Anatolia region. It's part of the D.300 State Road, your direct shot connecting Kayseri to Malatya. Most of it's a smooth, four-lane ride, but keep an eye out for a couple of shorter sections towards the west. The whole stretch through the pass is about 101 km (62.75 miles) from Pınarbaşı to Gürün, and it's seriously scenic. Fair warning: it's a pretty quiet ride. You'll roll through just a couple of small villages, so stock up on snacks and gas before you go! Now, the real talk: winter. This road gets icy, and blizzards can shut it down. It's usually open year-round, but expect potential closures during heavy snow. If you're traveling between November and March, be prepared to see some serious snow. Trust me, it can get COLD!
hardCol de Chassoure in Valais is recommended for drivers with strong nerves
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Col de Chassoure: Switzerland's Alpine Adventure Ready for an unforgettable mountain experience? The Col de Chassoure sits pretty at 2,739m (8,986ft) in the Entremont district of Valais, southwestern Switzerland—and trust me, getting there is half the fun. Starting from Verbier, this unpaved trail is basically the ultimate 4x4 playground. Think hairpin turns that'll make your head spin, a genuinely bonkers tunnel carved into the mountainside, and a succession of other mountain passes that keep the adrenaline flowing. Oh, and the scenery? Absolutely stunning alpine lakes scattered throughout, plus you might even spot a giant stork hanging around. Fair warning though: the road's no joke. Loose gravel, narrow sections, and steep climbs mean you'll need serious vehicle clearance—only 4x4s allowed here, and private cars are firmly off the menu. Mother Nature has the final say too, so snow can shut things down anytime. One of Switzerland's highest accessible roads, Col de Chassoure is genuinely special. Just don't underestimate what you're taking on—this peak earns its respect.
hardThe Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Road to Pico Mencilla
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventurers, picture this: you're in northern Spain, Burgos to be exact, ready to conquer Pico Mencilla! This isn't your Sunday drive; we're talking a wild, unpaved, 28.1 km (17.46 miles) stretch of pure off-road bliss that twists from Palazuelos de la Sierra to Barbadillo del Pez. Forget your low-riders; a 4x4 is a MUST. Seriously, you'll need it to tackle the insane 24% gradients and navigate those nine mountain passes, including Mogosa (1.782m / 5,846ft) and Alto de Hontanares (1.806m / 5,925ft). And in winter? Snow turns this into a slippery challenge only for the bravest (and best equipped!). This epic climb will take you between 2 and 3.5 hours, but trust me, the views from the 1.934m (6,345ft) summit are SO worth it. Think sprawling landscapes in the Sierra de la Demanda range. Just remember to take it slow, enjoy the ride, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!