Your Ultimate Guide to F-Roads in Iceland

14-06-2023

F-roads in Iceland can take you to some of the most awe-inspiring, unspoiled areas of natural beauty in the world, but these unpaved roads can be a challenge to drive. Before heading off on the adventure of a lifetime in Iceland, it’s important to be clued-up about the F-roads, including where they are, when they’re open and how to drive them.

So, what exactly are the F-roads in Iceland? And should you take them on during your trip to Iceland? In this article, we answer all your most frequently asked F-road questions.

What are F-Roads in Iceland?

First of all, you may be wondering ‘what are F-roads in Iceland?’. Well, the F-roads are mountainous, unpaved roads, mostly located in the beautiful yet remote Highlands of Iceland, which is an area of volcanic desert covering the majority of Iceland’s inner zone.

F-roads are often narrow and are rarely maintained. They might be the ultimate definition of a ‘rocky road’ and can only be accessed with a 4x4 vehicle. Keep in mind that these roads are not for the faint of heart and should not be your first attempt at 4x4 driving if you’ve never done it before.

But great challenges bring great rewards! Anyone who has driven the F-roads in Iceland will tell you that the landscapes and views are absolutely out of this world.

Locations: Where are the F-Roads in Iceland?

If you’re wondering ‘where are the F-roads in Iceland?’, it’s a very good question. In fact, it’s essential to have a detailed F-roads in Iceland map if you plan to travel on these remote, mountainous roads during your trip.

An Interesting fact about Iceland: these roads are actually called Fjallvega in Icelandic, which basically translates to "way to the mountains". The F in F-roads actually stands for Fjall, which means mountain. In the Land of Fire and Ice, there is no shortage of mountains, especially in the Icelandic Highlands. More specifically, the central-to-north Highlands.

You’ll find the F-roads in Iceland located in this central, interior area of the country where the mountains are. Here’s an Iceland F-roads Iceland map to give you an idea. F-roads are those marked in red:

How Often Will I Encounter F-Roads in Iceland?

You don’t ever need to be afraid that you will suddenly find yourself, unprepared, on an F-road in Iceland. F-roads are not part of the popular road trip routes across the island. You’ll be happy to know that routes such as the Golden Circle and the Ring Road are all paved and well-maintained.

You will only encounter F-roads in Iceland if you choose to visit a remote area in the Icelandic Highlands. Those who end up driving the F-roads in Iceland are doing so because they purposefully planned an ‘off the grid’ adventure.

Also, note that there are other gravel and unmarked roads in Iceland that are not mountainous F-roads. You can find out which road types are along your route by checking out the route online beforehand.

When Do F-Roads Open in Iceland?

F-roads are actually not open all year round. During the colder months, the F-roads in Iceland are covered in snow and are simply impossible to traverse.

This snow also takes quite a while to melt due to the latitude of the roads, and it’s not strange to find the roads still closed due to snow in the summertime. Even when the snow has completely melted, the roads are sometimes kept closed for a little longer. This allows the environment and vegetation to ‘wake up’ from their cold slumber.

This means that the gap you have each year to drive the F-roads is pretty small. If driving the F-roads is on your Iceland bucket list, you’ll need to plan your visit to our unique island during the summertime.

Iceland’s F-Roads Opening Dates

To help you plan your trip, here’s a handy list of F-roads in Iceland along with their opening dates. If you’re wondering about Iceland’s F-roads closing dates, these mountainous roads are usually closed at the end of summer, around early to mid-September.

Mountain Road Routes	Earliest Opening Date	Latest Opening Date	Median Opening Date
F206 – Lakagigar	12th June	25th June	18th June
F208 – Fjallabaksleid north
1.     Sigalda – Landmannalaugar	24th May	20th June	10th June
2.     Laugar – Eldgja	14th June	8th July	28th June
3.     Eldgja – Skaftatunga	5th June	26th June	13th June
F210 – Fjallabaksleid south
1.     Keldur – Hvanngil	21st June	10th July	3rd July
2.     Hvanngil – Skaftartunga	28th June	14th July	22nd June
F225 – Landmannaleid	28th May	14th July	22nd June
F261 – Emsturleid	21st June	8th July	2nd July
35 – Kjalvegur
1.     Gullfoss – Hveravellir	24th May	15th June	8th June
2.     Hveravellir – Blönduvirkjun	22nd May	12th June	5th June
F26 – Sprengisandur
1.     Hrauneyjar – Nyidalur	20th June	9th July	1st July
2.     Nyidalur – Bardadalur	20th June	9th July	1st July
F752 – Skagafjardarleid	26th June	9th July	5th July
F 821 – Eyjafjardaleid	28th June	24th July	10th July
F88 – Öskjuleid
1.     Inn ad Herdubreidarlindum	14th June	1st July	21st June
2.     Herdubreidarlindir – Dreki	14th June	1st July	20th June
F894 – Öskujuvatnsvegur	14th June	6th July	21st June
F864 – Holsfjallavegur	2nd June	29th June	13th June
F902 – Kverkfjalaleid	14th June	30th June	20th June
F905 – Arnardalsleid	11th June	30th June	19th June
F910 – Austurleid	11th June	17th July	28th June
52 – Uxahryggjavegur	16th April	16th May	1st May
550 – Kaldadalsvegur	4th May	19th June	25th June

Important note: There really is no way of knowing exactly what Iceland’s F-roads closing dates and opening dates will be each year. After all, who can predict the annual snowfall and melting? Nature sure has a mind of its own! Still, these dates have proven to be reliable when we take a look at what has happened in the past.

For an up-to-date guide to the condition and opening of Iceland’s F-roads at the time of your trip, you can take a look at the resources and updates provided by the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration.

Popular Iceland F-Roads

Here are some of the most popular F-roads in Iceland:

• F35 Kjalvegur: Gullfoss to North Iceland – The second longest F-road in Iceland, the F35 takes you from Gullfoss Waterfall on the Golden Circle to North Iceland. Taking five hours to drive, the 200-kilometer long F35 is probably the most popular F-road in Iceland and is one of the easiest to drive with no river crossings.
• F550 Kaldadalsvegur: Thingvellir to Husafell – The shortest F-road at 40 kilometers, the F550 is another easier drive without any river crossing and takes you from Thingvellir National Park to Husafell. You need to take the F550 to reach Geitland Nature Reserve, where there are lava fields and glacier caves.
• F208: South Iceland to Landmannalaugar – The stunning area of Landmannalaugar, complete with colorful mountains and lava fields, can be reached by taking the F208 from South Iceland. This route can be treacherous with rivers, potholes, rocks and other obstacles to avoid. Note that it’s impassable after heavy rains.

It’s also worth noting that it’s not allowed to camp on the side of the road along F-roads in Iceland in a tent, camper or other vehicle, as it’s forbidden to camp anywhere outside designated camping sites in Iceland unless you have written permission from the landowner.

However, you will be able to find camping sites near most of Iceland’s popular tourist attractions and even some camping areas in fairly remote locations. We recommend checking them out online beforehand, so you know where to find them.

Driving F-Roads in Iceland

When driving F-roads in Iceland, there are a few things to consider:

The Condition of F-Roads in Iceland

F-roads can’t be driven like a normal road. Be mindful of sharp turns and loose rocks (even boulders!), as well as what could be underneath the surface of a river crossing. 

Since the F-roads are so rough and tough, it can sometimes be difficult to tell the road and the landscape apart. That’s why it’s incredibly important to keep the GPS and maps close by, so you don’t accidentally get lost.

Speed Limits on F-Roads in Iceland

The average speed on F-roads in Iceland is pretty slow compared to other roads in the country, which is due to their rocky and uneven nature. Although the speed limit for dirt or gravel roads in Iceland is 80 km/h (50 mph), it’s likely that you’ll rarely exceed 30 km/h.

Icelanders don’t look kindly on those who break the rules of the road, and you will end up with a pretty hefty fine if you do. That’s why you need to ensure that you always stick to the speed limit, and why many panic when they don’t see speed limit signs along the F-roads. The reason why the F-roads rarely have clearly marked speed limits is that the road itself requires you to drive very slow.

Types of Car Allowed on Iceland’s F-Roads

When looking for car rentals in Iceland for F-roads, you might be wondering ‘what cars are allowed on F-roads in Iceland?’. The answer is that, due to their uneven terrain and mountainous nature, F-roads should only be accessed with a 4x4 vehicle. 

When we say the F-roads can only be accessed via a 4x4 in Iceland, it’s not just because of the road conditions – it is the law! So, if you attempt these roads with a normal 2-wheel drive, not only will you get stuck, but you’ll have a world of explaining to do to the authorities. Please have a chat with your rental agency and discuss your planned routes, so they can advise you on which 4x4 vehicle will work best.

Insurance for F-Roads in Iceland

If you’re thinking ‘what kind of auto insurance do I need for renting a car to drive on Iceland’s F-roads?’, here’s the information you need.

There are a good deal of different insurance options to choose from when driving in Iceland, including basic insurance and additional protection against gravel, sand, ash and theft.

The basic car insurance you’ll need to drive in Iceland is Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Third-Party Liability (TPL). Most rental agencies already include the mandatory car insurance you’ll need in the rental price, although there is other specific insurance you’ll need to drive on F-roads in Iceland.

If you rent a 4x4 vehicle in Iceland, suitable for traversing F-roads, you should also be offered an insurance package to cover you from damage you might suffer on these unpaved roads. For example, at Reykjavik Auto, we offer a Platinum Insurance Plan that includes every type of insurance available in Iceland, such as Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP) and Gravel Protection (GP), plus river crossing protection and F-roads insurance. 

If in doubt, we recommend having a chat with your rental agency about F-roads insurance, so they can guide you in the right direction.

Helpful Tips When Driving Iceland’s F-Roads

If this is your first time driving Iceland’s F-roads, the following tips will help make your trip a safe and enjoyable one:

• Keep a slow and consistent pace – This is no place to rush! Avoid any calls to roadside assistance by taking your time and being careful along the way.
• Pack a little extra – Keep in mind that on the F-roads in Iceland, you’ll be driving in the most remote regions of the country. It’s always a good idea to pack some extra water and snacks just in case.
• Check the weather and road conditions – Simply keeping an eye on the Icelandic weather forecast and the Icelandic road conditions at the time of your trip will help you be prepared and avoid traveling when conditions are not optimal.
• Fill up the tank whenever possible – In these remote regions of Iceland, gas stations are few and far between. So, to avoid being stranded next to the road without gas, we recommend filling up the tank whenever possible, particularly at the start of your journey. You can even keep an auxiliary tank filled with gas with you too (just in case).
• Stick to the road – This is not just for safety reasons, but also to protect the Icelandic ecosystem. The natural environment is easily damaged, especially in places where Icelandic moss grows, and it can take decades to recover, if at all. 
• Never travel alone – You should never take the F-roads in Iceland as a solo traveler and it’s also recommended that you travel in a convoy of two or more vehicles. This way, help is always just a couple of meters away.
• Note the emergency number – The emergency number in Iceland is 112 in case you need any assistance.

Iceland’s F-roads: the Adventure of a Lifetime

Iceland’s F-roads might be a bit of a challenge, but traveling on these rocky roads is well worth it! You'll be rewarded with spectacular views of otherworldly landscapes and natural wonders you’ll never forget.

Inspired to take your own dream Iceland vacation? Prepare for your trip to the island by renting a vehicle in Reykjavik, ready to take to the road for the adventure of a lifetime!