
Road 626 is an awe-inspiring drive in the peninsula Westfjords
Iceland, europe
30.6 km
551 m
hard
Year-round
Road 626, or Hrafnseyrarvegur, is a coastal gem nestled in Iceland's Westfjords, specifically the Dýrafjörður fjord area. Think breathtaking scenery as you wind 30.6 km (19 miles) from Þingeyri to Dynjandi, passing by Hrafnseyri.
Now, heads up, this isn't your typical paved road. It's all gravel, but most cars can handle it, though a 4x4 definitely makes things easier. This route can get feisty when the tide's high!
Prepare for seriously stunning views of the coastline, mountains, and Hrafnseyrarheiði from both sides of the road. Plus, it's your access point for the gorgeous Gljúfurárfoss Waterfall. Just a heads-up: the road has some tight squeezes, a bumpy surface, steep climbs (up to a crazy 20% grade!), and drop-offs.
You'll climb to a whopping 551m (1807ft) at the Hrafnseyrarheiði plateau. Because of the altitude, it's only open in the summer. Quick note: as of October 2020, the Dýrafjarðargöng tunnel (part of Road 60) offers an alternative route.
Where is it?
Road 626 is an awe-inspiring drive in the peninsula Westfjords is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 64.9078, -18.7550
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 30.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 551 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 64.9078, -18.7550
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