Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
F ROADS
We can think of a few choice F words for these bumpy, at times almost-nonexistent tracts
of land, but in reality the 'F' stands for fjall(mountain). Do not confuse F roads with gravel
stretches of road (regular gravel roads are normally fine for 2WDs, although some of
them are bumpy rides for small, low-clearance cars).
F roads are indicated on maps and roadsigns with an 'F' preceding the road number
(eg, F26, F88 etc).
F roads only support 4WDs. If you travel on F roads in a hired 2WD you'll invalidate your
insurance. F roads are unsafe for small cars: do yourself a favour and steer clear, or hire a
4WD (or take a bus or super-Jeep tour).
Before tackling any F road you should educate yourself about what lies ahead (for ex-
ample, river crossings) and whether or not the entire route is open. See
www.vegagerdin.is
for road closure details.
While some F roads may almost blend into the surrounding nature, driving off marked
tracks is strictly prohibitedeverywhere in Iceland, as it damages fragile ecosystems.
Car & Motorcycle
Driving in Iceland gives you unparalleled freedom to discover the country and, thanks to
good roads and light traffic, it's all fairly straightforward.
The Ring Road (Rte 1) circles the country and, except for a couple of small stretches in
east Iceland, is paved. Beyond the Ring Road, fingers of sealed road or gravel stretch
out to most communities.
In coastal areas driving can be spectacularly scenic, and incredibly slow as you weave
up and down over mountain passes and in and out of long fjords. Even so, a 2WD
vehicle will get you almost everywhere in summer (note:
not
into the highlands, or on F
roads).
In winter heavy snow can cause many roads to close; mountain roads generally only
open in June and may start closing as early as September. For up-to-date information on
road conditions, visit
www.vegagerdin.is
.
