How To Travel The Road 862 to Dettifoss waterfall in Iceland
Iceland, europe
50.7 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Iceland, Northeastern Region, and you're cruising on Road 862, aka Dettifossvegur, headed for the mighty Dettifoss waterfall. Trust me, this is one scenic route you don't want to miss.
This beauty runs along the western side of the Jökulsá river and the views? Unreal. Think wide-open landscapes that'll leave you breathless. The best part? It's all paved, baby! Built in 2011, so you can leave the 4x4 at home, passenger vehicles are just fine.
Nestled inside Vatnajökull National Park, in the northern part of Iceland, this 50.7 km (31.5 miles) stretch of road snakes its way from Road 85, south of Thvera, up to the iconic Ring Road.
Factor in about 1 to 1.5 hours for the drive, depending on how often you pull over to soak in the views (and you will pull over!). It runs parallel to the unpaved Road 864, which brings you to the eastern side of the waterfall. Usually, you can tackle this road from April to December, but keep in mind it might not be fully serviced, even in the summer.
Where is it?
How To Travel The Road 862 to Dettifoss waterfall in Iceland is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 64.8687, -18.3674
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 50.7 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 64.8687, -18.3674
Related Roads in europe
hardDriving the wild unpaved road to Vladeasa Peak in Cluj County
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Vârful Vlădeasa, a hidden gem nestled high in Cluj County, Romania! This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking about one of the highest points you can reach by road in the whole country, topping out at a cool 6,000 feet! Tucked away in Apuseni Natural Park, you'll find Vlădeasa Peak and its twin, Vlădeasa Sud. This is the second-highest peak in the Apuseni Mountains, a true haven for hikers and nature lovers. At the very top, you'll find a weather station (Stația Meteorologică Vlădeasa 1800), but the real draw is the panoramic views. Seriously, prepare to be blown away! On a clear day, you can soak in Stanea with Buteasa Peak, Padiș and Bihor, Muntele Mare, and even the distant Huedin Depression. And if you're lucky enough to be there in December, the Retezat Mountains might just show off their ridges! Now, about that road... It's 4.47 miles (7.2km) of pure, unadulterated off-road fun! Starting from Rogojel, you'll climb over 2,600 feet (814m), averaging a steep 11.3% gradient. Think rocks, hairpin turns, narrow squeezes, and seriously steep sections. We're talking unpaved the whole way, so after Rogojel, head up the rugged track toward Cabana Vlădeasa. The last stretch can be a real challenge for cars with low ground clearance – a 4x4 is highly recommended. Perched in the Vlădeasa Massif, this road is usually a no-go in winter due to heavy snow. It's a chilly spot year-round, but winter? Brace yourself for bone-chilling winds and a landscape straight out of a fantasy novel.
moderateWhere is Mount Leinster?
🌍 Ireland
Okay, picture this: you're in Ireland, right on the border of Carlow and Wexford, ready to tackle Mount Leinster. This isn't just any drive – it's a climb to the highest paved road in Ireland, all the way up to 786 meters! The road, known as the 2RN access road, is a bit rough around the edges but totally paved. It's a short but intense 2.6 km (1.61 miles) from Nine Stones, packing in an elevation gain of 335 meters. We’re talking an average gradient of almost 13%, with sections hitting a whopping 17%! Heads up, this road was built to service the TV transmitter at the top (you can't miss the 122m mast!), so it’s usually gated to keep regular traffic out and keep vandals away from the tower. But if you can find a way, the views are *insane*. Seriously, you’ll be treated to the most incredible Irish countryside panoramas. Keep an eye out for local wildlife too! This spot is also super popular with hang-gliders, so you might catch them launching into the sky. Just be prepared for some wild weather up there – high winds and rainstorms are pretty common. And hey, you can brag that you’ve been to the highest point in both Carlow and Wexford! Mount Leinster has even featured in the Tour of Ireland, so you know it's legit.
easyWhere is Col de l’Espaul?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Alpes-Maritimes in France, headed for a hidden gem called Col de l’Espaul. This mountain pass sits way up high at 1,752 meters (that's 5,748 feet!), offering killer views in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. You'll take Route de la Colle, snaking up through the Mercantour Massif. Be warned, those ramps can hit a 10% gradient, so hold on tight! The road *is* paved (thankfully!), but let's just say it's seen better days – blame it on that golf course they built up there. Starting in Péone on Rue Saint-Jean, it's a short but sweet 2.9 kilometers (or 1.8 miles) to the top. The road ends right at the summit where there's a big parking lot, perfect for soaking in the views of the Mercantour National Park. Trust me, the scenery makes any bumps along the way totally worth it!
hardThe Road to Col de Chaviere is Not for the Faint of Heart
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Chavière Tucked away in the heart of France's stunning Vanoise National Park, Col de Chavière rises to a impressive 2,477m (8,126ft) in the Savoie department. This alpine treasure sits in the southeastern Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, surrounded by some serious mountain scenery. The highlight? The Refuge de Peclet Polset perched at the summit, sitting right near Lac Blanc—a gorgeous glacial-fed lake with that distinctive milky-white color that only glacial meltwater can create. Fair warning: this isn't your typical mountain drive. The route is entirely unpaved and seriously narrow, with hefty rocks scattered throughout. Private vehicles aren't allowed, so you'll need to be on foot or bike for this adventure. Starting from a parking area at the end of the paved D124 road, you're looking at a 7.4km (4.59 miles) climb with an elevation gain of 703 meters—that's roughly a 9.5% average grade. Steep? Absolutely. But the payoff is incredible. Just keep in mind that the Massif de la Vanoise range locks this road down from October through June, so plan your visit for the warmer months when the route's actually passable.