Are Iceland’s F Roads Really Worth it?

Iceland’s F roads are the roads which connect the south of Iceland to the north, giving access to the Highlands. The use of the letter F comes from ‘fjalla’, the Icelandic word for mountain. The drive into the highlands is one of the best road trips to take in Iceland, however, the F roads can be gravelly, rocky, steep, full of holes and affected by seasonal closures or extreme weather. We’ve highlighted some more information below so that you can decide on whether Iceland’s F roads are really worth it. 

Popular F Roads

The F roads enable you to explore some of the most breathtaking areas and remote scenery in Iceland such as the Laki craters, Strútslaug geothermal pool and the mountain ridge of Thórsmörk. Some of the most popular roads are:

• The F208 from the North to Landmannalaugar is one of the easiest routes as there are no river crossings to contend with. It can still be quite difficult in terms of the roughness of the road. 
• The F26 connects the Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull glaciers; this road features a river crossing, which will impact the height of the car needed. 
• The F35 from Geysir on the Golden Circle to Kjolur takes you through the middle of Iceland.
• The F208 from the South to Landmannalaugar is particularly challenging due to the depth of the river crossing; this road is one to avoid after heavy rain!

For many people, simply driving on some of the F roads is an attraction to Iceland in itself and something to tick off the itinerary.

Seasonal Closures

In the winter, conditions are far too dangerous to drive on the F roads, which is why they are closed for the majority of the year. For the best chance of catching them open, plan your trip between June and Mid September. 

You can check for road conditions, closures and road webcams on the Icelandic Road website. It is also recommended to check the weather forecasts as a severe snowstorm can completely wipe out a road in a very short space of time. 

Driver experience

The F roads in Iceland feature lots of hairpin turns, and steep climbs and are often snowy - conditions which can be challenging for even the most experienced drivers. We wouldn’t recommend driving these roads unless you are confident in your driving ability. 

It is completely possible to avoid the F roads and still have an unforgettable time in Iceland. The ring road which circles the island is well maintained and used, making it easy to navigate to and from many of the attractions in Iceland such as the Blue Lagoon, Gullfoss falls, Vatnajökull National Park and Reynisfjara beach. 

If you’re keen to drive the F roads, speak to your car rental company first about the routes which you plan on taking, as they will be able to advise you on which vehicles will be suitable - despite what you may think, there are even some 4 wheel drives that can't take on all of the roads. Browse our cars that are suitable for F roads.