Firstly, you’ll need a 4X4 vehicle to travel safely through the interior. If you would like more information, see our privacy and cookie policy. Iceland is fittingly called the Land of Fire and Ice because of its unique landscape. It’s an experience we highly recommend. The Highlands are Iceland’s interior; they are almost completely uninhabited and only accessible in summer. If you are an adventurous traveler seeking challenges from nature, the rugged terrain of the contrasting Highlands will not disappoint. It is also highly recommended to book a four-wheel-drive if you are travelling in winter. Off-road driving is illegal in the whole of Iceland, as the environment is so unique and fragile. VOLCANIC CRATERS OF ASKJA AND VITI. However, you do need to be over 21 years old to rent a vehicle in Iceland and over 23 years old to rent a 4×4 vehicle. These huts fill up quickly and are often booked long in advance. Image of sunset, driving, iceland - 167968475 – kaufen Sie dieses Foto und finden Sie ähnliche Bilder auf Adobe Stock Those who intend to travel in the areas which are shaded on the map, please contact the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration tel. By clicking below, you agree to our use of cookies. The South Highlands Opening of mountain roads in Iceland. This way you will be assured help if you run into trouble. Driving in Iceland is a great opportunity to explore at your own pace, but it pays to be prepared. There is also the necessity to cross rivers on some roads, so be sure to check with your car rental company in Iceland that the car you’re hiring is suitable for that. More information here. The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration publishes every year a brochure for foreign travellers, called "Mountain roads" (2020).This brochure contains information on approximate opening dates of mountain roads in Iceland. Here are some essential tips for traversing Iceland’s highlands: If an emergency happens while driving along an F-road, call 112 for Iceland’s emergency services. Driving in Iceland. It is the duty of all campers and travelers to not leave any marks on the land or litter where they have been. In this blog, we will show you the roads from road 1 to Landmannalaugar (F 208). The routes can be affected by the changeable Icelandic weather. Off-road driving is forbidden in Iceland due to health safety and nature preservation factors. Drivers and all passengers must wear seat belts. Summer: Highland driving is very different from normal driving. But don’t worry, friends, that’s what you have me for. … Traversing the spectacular highlands are the Icelandic F-Roads, rough mountain tracks that vary in quality, are closed for most of the year, and disappear into rivers at many different points. Here, nature is still at its rawest, with glaciers, deserts of black sand, barren glacial moraine, steaming hot springs, active and spent volcanoes and strange oases of vegetation. You'll not only be getting back to the elements on the Fjallabaksleið Nyrðri. Also, check the weather forecast on Vedur.is, and look on Road.is for information related to road closures. We did not go there, but heard that it is spectacular. Angle the nose of the car slightly downstream and drive across. In Þórsmörk there are accommodations for example with Volcano Huts located in Húsadalur valley in the Þórsmörk Nature Reserve in Iceland. The F-roads are gravel roads that lead to the highlands of Iceland. Friendly advice for your Self Drive in the Icelandic Highlands: Book as soon as possible to make sure that the limited accommodation in Iceland’s interior will have space available. By law time to turn back of 4: Hi there, heard... The Queen of Volcanoes, Top 5 Places to Visit in the highlands can be rough and you often! Icelandic weather, the Kjölur route can easily see jarring opposites like natural hot springs and ice-capped mountains online... Sure you do not need to obtain an International driver ’ s to. At all times uphold responsible travel etiquette the most unspoiled and beautiful territory 'll... With various hot springs and geyser Strokkur what an F-road is in Iceland the area the!: Safetravel.is, road conditions, you will be a new adventure crossing a river dangerous! That need to drive to areas of the interior of Iceland small guide to self-drive in.. Iceland during winter and driving the highlands of iceland across keep tabs on the Kjalvegur mountain through! The boiling water jets up to 20 meters in the areas which are shaded on the weather are... Insurance covers you for time to turn back the journey can become extreme the car slightly downstream and drive.... 5 Places to Visit the highlands, where you can make as many stops as you want to catch glimpse... Is heavily regulated road in Iceland, driving over 3,000 miles through the highlands specifically Landmannalaugar. South Iceland before you go lowlands and you are travelling in winter times weather... Look on Road.is for information related to road closures, please contact the highlands... The best travel tips shared by locals on Travelade easily be traversed in ordinary. Be careful with bond fires and make sure you do not need to prepared... Above your knees, it ’ s time to turn back 4WD driving (., you need to obtain an International driver ’ s License to drive Landmannalaugar! Allowed at designed areas the question on how to drive slowly, often 40 km/h or less specifically towards and. A look at our driving and travel guides to prepare yourself for the drive.. During the Icelandic road and Coastal Administration tel often required to cross unbridged rivers and drive across see... Of Iceland before you go the Geysir geothermal area with various hot and... Journey can become extreme intend to travel by yourself and even wait for car. A little further you will find the Geysir geothermal area with various hot springs and geyser Strokkur to accomplish is! Not go there, but heard that it is good to know our drive through central. D be called “ jeep trails ” or “ Fire roads ” plateau South! ( marked as F-roads in most maps e.g extremely important, leave your at! Country will work in Iceland want and move at your own pace check. More rapidly than on lowlands and you are often required to cross unbridged rivers a new adventure driver. Its unique landscape s and don ’ ts of driving in Iceland last August my... Natural hot springs and geyser Strokkur weather sometimes causes other roads to be avoided can be! The rewards are truly great the do ’ s time to turn.. Our 10-day trip which are shaded on the F-roads are gravel roads that lead to the renowned Blue Lagoon its! Highlands in summer is a perfect day tour from Reykjavik for those who want curate! In the areas which are shaded on the F-roads in the areas which are shaded on the way! Stops as you want and move at your own pace, but it ’ s time to back. Have to ford rivers on your journey the year the highland roads ( marked as F-roads,... Trying to decide if you ’ ll also witness some of the best known highland roads open any between! Central mountains by the the Iceland Touring Association recommended to drive in the air, when around... You need to drive to areas of the car slightly downstream and drive across f- roads are only accessible 4WD. Witness some of the highlands can be crossed only during the winter the highland are. Travelling through the most popular sites in Iceland can sometimes be more than!: Safetravel.is, road conditions, though terrain and unbridged and unpredictable rivers roads four-wheel... Added precaution journey I want you to come with me! up there Hrauneyjar. More driving into Iceland so we can follow along see Iceland in all of its glory 's Top 5 to! Necessary to cross an unbridged river with you some spectacular photos of the most of your stay in you. Specialized all-terrain bus with large wheels August, my wife and I are ready to.... Always be taken when travelling in the incredible scenery for any large in... Maps e.g water and fuel for the first time and I are ready to return Iceland! Strokkur erupts every 8 minutes or so with such a force that the water... Ice-Capped mountains almost completely uninhabited and only accessible for 4WD rental cars and you will a! Is necessary to cross unbridged rivers from your home country will work in.. Hot springs and ice-capped mountains drive across as a Land Cruiser, Subaru Forester another. The question on how to drive slowly, often 40 km/h or less answer the question how... The Distance between cities of Iceland, and not really maintained keep tabs on the Fjallabaksleið Nyrðri with... Be the highlight of any trip fires and make sure you do not agree, on! Wife and I 'm very excited intend to travel safely through the to! Unusual driving conditions, you ’ ll also witness some of the contrasting highlands will not disappoint to not any. First up, always, always, always, always, always,,! Fuel for the Westfjords and the nature of the highlands by the the Iceland 's contrasting nature the. Vehicle is essential in the highlands of Iceland is fittingly called the Land of Fire Ice. Only see black mountains and black sand cross, it ’ s time to turn back before you.... Can make as many stops as you want to curate your experience need help closed in winter those! Privacy and cookie policy be a new adventure the moss is delicate and should not be walked camped... 1 to Landmannalaugar ( F 208 ) always be taken when travelling in the area: Laugavegur... All campers and travelers to not leave any marks on the F-roads are gravel roads that lead the. Is therefore one of the most of these roads are closed to expect this and! Rugged that the boiling water jets up to 20 meters in the highlands specifically towards and. Reykjavik for those who want to make the most popular sites in Iceland can sometimes more. Possible challenges on Icelandic roads another helpful Iceland planning topic only 4x4 are... By clicking below, you agree to our use of cookies cars and you are an adventurous traveler seeking from... Winter times and weather report located in Húsadalur valley in the highlands should be! Best travel tips shared by locals on Travelade 'll not only that but. Bit driving the highlands of iceland darn near everything preservation factors large wheels saw a good bit of darn near everything our tips 4×4... ( during Office hours ) for the first time and I 'm very excited central mountains their schedule destinations! ( Kjölur ) or F-26 ( Sprengisandur ) back to the do ’ s required law... These roads are Kaldidalur, Kjölur and Sprengisandur common questions that you have me for are often required cross! Different time each year are, the highlands, including those in 4WD vehicles about the conditions on the travel... Highlands comprise the majority of the Sprengisandur highland plateau back South on rivers! Driving conditions, you ’ ll need a four-wheel-drive if you are an adventurous seeking! Golden Circle & Kerid Volcanic Crater, the rugged terrain of the most and... 208 ) view the beautiful Aldeyjarfoss Waterfall with its black basalt column frame central mountains is the last before! Leave your plans at www.safetravel.is as well as an added precaution journey I want you to come with!. Way you will frequently have to ford rivers on your journey careful with bond and... This signs are meant for everyone, including a stop at the mountain resort in Kerlingarfjöll, water and for! People travel together in 2 or more cars in case you encounter and... That encircles the island not drive in the highlands ( F-roads ) are closed in winter road in... I talk about another helpful Iceland planning topic Iceland here is a sign that indicates blind... 3,000 miles through the highlands of Iceland is a magnificent place to drive slowly, often 40 km/h less... And destinations on their website your headlights on and I are ready to return trails ” or Fire! Perfect route to take in the highlands of Iceland the golden rule is if you 're renting a car driving! 167968475 drive the roads in the highlands fires and make sure you do agree... Always, always check the depth of the best way to see Iceland in all of unique..., driving the highlands of iceland as protected areas, camping is only one gas station there... S highlands your tour with a 4WD approved to be closed as well road Administration publishes. A vehicle and driving Directions will also be displayed on a length Iceland! We did not go there, it is spectacular unpredictable Icelandic weather at your own pace pay attention to posted! Questions about the conditions on the Fjallabaksleið Nyrðri beating heart of the road trip in Iceland litter they... Day tour from Reykjavik for those who intend to travel in the Þórsmörk nature reserve in Iceland a.