Anabar Road is a remote and extreme route leading to Anabar Bay on the Laptev Sea. At roughly 72°49′ North—farther north than Prudhoe Bay, Nordkapp, or Tuktoyaktuk—it is often cited as the world’s northernmost road that ends at a dead end. The journey culminates on the shores of the Laptev Sea, a hostile and hauntingly beautiful corner of the Arctic.
If you’re planning a road trip, this might be the most adventurous one you ever undertake. The route spans roughly 2,485 miles (4,000 kilometers), running south to north from the vicinity of Lake Baikal in Irkutsk Oblast to the Anabar region on the Arctic Ocean, near the settlement of Yuryung-Khaya in the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic.
The seasonal winter road—known locally as a zimnik—begins near Verkhne-Markovo by Ust-Kut. This route forms part of Russia’s official winter road network, opening only when rivers and permafrost are solid enough to support traffic. Expect a demanding mix of gravel, asphalt, and ice sections. Typically, the road is passable from December to March, with long, remote stretches of roughly 1,000 km offering no services.
Do not expect ambulance coverage, police patrols, towing, or reliable repair assistance. Prepare to be entirely self-sufficient with fuel, food, warm clothing, spare parts, recovery gear, and navigation tools. There are a few settlements along the way—some of them partially or fully abandoned—and the Anabar region itself is not suitable for ordinary passenger vehicles. In daylight, the scenery can feel like a winter fairy tale, but conditions change fast and can become life-threatening.
This road is not recommended for novice drivers. Key hazards include:
- Severe Yakutian cold (−50°C and below)
- Whiteout blizzards and extreme wind chill
- Cracks and pressure ridges on river and sea ice
- Heavy transport trucks supplying remote communities
- Very long distances that demand careful fuel planning
- Deep snow, ice ruts, and unpredictable weather
- Minimal communications and emergency support
Photos can’t fully convey the risks. By some accounts, very few foreign teams have completed the full route. As you travel north, the landscape shifts dramatically—from taiga forest to tundra and finally the stark polar environment along the Arctic Ocean.
Before attempting this journey, check current conditions and local regulations, travel with experienced drivers, and consider satellite communication and convoy travel. The reward is a rare passage through one of the planet’s most isolated and awe-inspiring road corridors.
