Road 622 is a hazardous drive below sea level when the tide is high
Iceland, europe
51 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
# Road 622: Iceland's Ultimate Adrenaline-Fueled Adventure
Ready for one of the most jaw-dropping drives on the planet? Road 622—locals call it the Dream Road—winds along the Dýrafjörður fjord in Iceland's remote Westfjords, and it's absolutely not for the faint of heart.
This 51 km unpaved beast stretches from Þingeyri to Hrafnseyri, carved literally into cliffsides with dramatic mountain backdrops the entire way. You'll need a serious 4x4 with high ground clearance because this isn't your typical road. Expect loose gravel, mud, and rocky terrain that demands respect. Oh, and here's the kicker—parts of it sit below sea level, so you'll want to time your drive with the tides and avoid the soggy sections.
The drive takes about 2-3 hours if you're pushing through, but trust us, you'll want to stop. Midway, check out the Svalvogaviti lighthouse from 1920, and you'll eventually reach the charming cove of Svalvogar.
What makes this road truly special? On one side, you've got a spectacular shoreline; on the other, towering peaks that locals call the "Westfjord Alps." It's genuinely stunning—the kind of scenery that makes your heart race (sometimes for the right reasons).
Here's the reality check: this route is genuinely dangerous. Landslides and falling rocks are common. Strong winds can literally push your vehicle around. High tides flood sections of the track. Weather can shift in minutes, and the road only opens for a few months—spring through early summer—before winter storms and rockslides force closure. The narrow passages with steep drop-offs aren't for anyone afraid of heights. Some sections are barely more than rocky ledges on a mountainside.
Built in 1973 by a determined local named Elís Kjaran Friðfinnsson using just a small bulldozer, this road demands serious 4x4 skills, excellent vehicle preparation, and genuine self-reliance. Always check conditions at the Þingeyri gas station before attempting it, and ideally, don't tackle it solo.
This isn't a casual Sunday drive—it's a legitimate adventure that separates the truly committed road-trippers from everyone else.
Where is it?
Road 622 is a hazardous drive below sea level when the tide is high is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 65.3368, -18.2600
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 51 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 65.3368, -18.2600
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