
Is road 862 in Iceland paved?
Iceland, europe
50.7 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, road trip enthusiasts, listen up! Road 862, or Dettifossvegur as the locals call it, is an absolute must-do when you're cruising around Northeastern Iceland. This beauty leads you right to the mighty Dettifoss waterfall.
Forget gravel and dust – this road is paved! That's right, even your little rental car can handle this one with ease. Get ready for some seriously breathtaking views along the western side of the Jökulsá river. Trust me, the landscapes are worth the drive.
Spanning about 50.7 km (31.5 miles) inside Vatnajökull National Park, plan for about 1 to 1.5 hours to soak it all in. The road winds north to south from Road 85 (south of Thvera) so it's easy to find. This one's seasonal so be sure to travel between April and December. Even in summer, services can be limited.
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 50.7 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
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