Siglufjardarskard Pass requires slow, careful driving
Siglufjardarskard is a mountain pass at an elevation of 701m (2,299ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Northeastern and Northwestern regions, in the north of Iceland. The road is not for those who are afraid of height. The road requires slow, careful driving.
The road to the summit is gravel and very rough. It’s called Skardsvegur (793). The journey offers magnificent views out to sea. The road is extraordinary in itself. The construction of the road started in 1940. Four years later the road was made safe for vehicles to cross.
Located on the northern coast of Iceland people used to believe that evil mythical beings lived there. 4x4 vehicle required. The view from the pass is spectacular and it is open only a few months each year. There is very limited mobile phone reception. The journey is quite adventurous, both because it’s quite steep but also due to harsh winter conditions with snow and ice.
The road is only open for four to five months a year. It’s pretty narrow. It's one of the highest roads of the country. The views are spectacular, where it’s possible to experience the dramatic beauty of the landscape up close. The drive is very steep. Starting from Siglufjörður, a small fishing town (Road 76), the ascent is 6.4 km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 690 meters. The average gradient is 10.78%.