Why is Oymyakon famous?
Russia, europe
38.4 km
750 m
extreme
Year-round
Ever dreamt of a truly extreme road trip? Buckle up (and layer up!) for the Oymyakon Road in the Sakha Republic, Russia. This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a 38.4km (23.86 miles) stretch of totally unpaved road leading to Oymyakon, the Earth's chilliest village.
You'll find yourself navigating massive potholes across the Yana-Oymyakon Highlands. And be warned: this road is usually snow-covered for nine months out of the year. Blizzards are super common, so you really can't take this drive lightly. Mobile phone service? Forget about it! Plus, even if you had service, your phone probably wouldn’t work in those temps.
The road climbs to about 750 meters above sea level, offering views of the surrounding, starkly beautiful, mountainous terrain. The real challenge is the intense cold – Oymyakon boasts the title of the coldest inhabited place on Earth. We're talking temperatures that can plunge to -50°C to -60°C (-58°F to -76°F). The lowest recorded temp? A bone-chilling -71.2°C (-96.2°F)!
Cars need to be kept in heated garages or left running constantly, otherwise they just won't restart. Axle grease and fuel tanks freeze solid, and unused pipes can ice up in just a few hours. Batteries lose juice at an alarming rate! So, go prepared, and never travel this one alone. This is one road trip where the journey truly *is* the adventure, and the destination is unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Road Details
- Country
- Russia
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 38.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 750 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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