F-Roads & Highlands

The Icelandic Highlands

The highlands (Hálendið) make up about 40% of the country's area and are Iceland's last wilderness: Uninhabited, without infrastructure, only accessible via F-roads (Fjallvegir = mountain roads). It is a landscape of lava fields, colorful rhyolite mountains, glacial rivers, and absolute solitude.

F-Roads — Rules

• ONLY with a 4x4 vehicle! This is law, not a recommendation. Anyone driving a 2WD on F-roads immediately loses insurance coverage and risks fines of 200,000–500,000 ISK (1,300–3,300€)
• Season: Most F-roads are only open from end of June to September. Check status on road.is and safetravel.is
• River crossings (fording): Many F-roads cross unbridged rivers. This is the greatest danger! Rules: Cross glacial rivers in the morning (lowest water level), never alone, always test depth on foot first (maximum knee-high!), drive in low gear and steadily — never stop!
• Off-road ban: Driving off marked roads is strictly prohibited — fines up to 500,000 ISK (3,300€)! The vegetation (moss, lichens) takes 50–100 years to recover. Tire tracks on Icelandic moss are an ecological disaster

Highlights in the Highlands

• Landmannalaugar: Colorful rhyolite mountains in red, yellow, green, and violet — like a painting. Hot spring at the campsite. F225/F208. Also accessible by highland bus!
• Þórsmörk: Green valley between the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull — spectacularly beautiful. F249 (challenging fords!). Endpoint of the Fimmvörðuháls trail from Skógafoss
• Askja & Víti: Huge volcanic crater with a warm, milky-turquoise lake for bathing. F88/F910. Full-day trip from Mývatn
• Sprengisandur: The longest highland track (F26), 200 km through absolute desolation between Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull. For experienced off-roaders
• Kerlingarfjöll: Geothermal highland area with steaming colorful mountains, hot springs, and glacier views. F35. One of Iceland's most spectacular landscapes