The challenging Road 917 to the summit of Hellisheiði Eystri
Hellisheiði Eystri is a mountain pass at an elevation of 644m (2,112ft) above the sea level, located in Northeast Iceland. The road is very steep, with some parts up to 15%. Even though driving the road is a bit intimidating the view from the top is astonishing.
The road to the summit is mostly gravel. It’s impassable in winters and very steep, via 15 hairpin turns. It’s one of the country's first roads to close each autumn, due to snow. It’s called Hlíðarvegur (917). The journey offers great views of the coastal cliffs at Drangsnes and the abandoned farm Krummsholt, where there are indistinct Viking ruins.
It’s one of the highest roads of the country. The pass is located on the route between Norðausturvegur (Road 85) and Þjóðvegur (Road 1), and offers stunning views of the sea. On the top are at least two to tree options to stop at a small parking lot to take photos. The road is pretty steep and high, narrow in parts, and can be slippery when wet. It's a auperb driving with lots of tight switchback bends and curves, high drop-offs (not for the faint hearted), and totally amazing views from the top.
It’s said to be the steepest mountain road in the country with some parts up to 15%. The road is passable for all cars. It’s good for all vehicles when conditions are good. A motorhome with "front wheel drive" might find it difficult to get up the steepest parts, especially in wet weather. At the summit there’s a former weather station. The view over Héraðsflói Bay is breathtaking.
Pic: Shuo Qian