Öxi Mountain Pass (Route 939)

Route 939, known as the Öxi Pass, tackles Iceland’s most dramatic mountain crossing with grades reaching 13% on narrow gravel switchbacks carved into near-vertical mountainsides. The route climbs from sea level at Berufjörður fjord to 552 meters elevation through a series of hairpin turns that test both driver nerve and vehicle brakes. Stone cairns mark the summit, where views stretch across the Vatnajökull ice cap and East Fjords’ serpentine coastline.

This is challenging mountain driving requiring excellent brakes, low gears, and steady nerves on exposed cliff-edge sections. High-clearance vehicles handle the gravel surface, but the real test is managing steep descents without overheating brakes. Open June through October, weather permitting — fog and wind can close the pass without warning. No fuel or services exist along the route, so tank up in Reyðarfjörður or Djúpivogur. The reward is accessing one of Iceland’s most spectacular viewpoints and experiencing genuine mountain driving in a land shaped by ice and stone.