How to drive the scenic Road 870 in Northeastern Iceland?

How to drive the scenic Road 870 in Northeastern Iceland?

Iceland, europe

Length

60 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, buckle up for Road 870, aka Norðausturvegur, a wild ride along Iceland's Arctic Coast Way in the Northeastern Region!

This isn't your everyday smooth highway; think rugged gravel that keeps things interesting. It's totally doable in a regular car if you're a cautious driver who likes taking it slow.

Clocking in at roughly 60 km (37 miles), this beauty connects Kópasker, a charming village on Öxarfjörður's eastern edge, to Raufarhöfn, perched on the Melrakkaslétta peninsula's northeastern tip.

A heads-up: Mother Nature often closes this road from early September to late June. And watch out for the fog – it can get seriously thick!

This is Iceland at its most remote, offering landscapes that will steal your breath. You're venturing into a truly desolate, untouched corner of the country, perfect for solitude seekers. Don't expect crowds; in fact, it's wise not to tackle this one solo!

Where is it?

How to drive the scenic Road 870 in Northeastern Iceland? is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 64.4759, -17.9527

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Road Details

Country
Iceland
Continent
europe
Length
60 km
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
64.4759, -17.9527

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