Iceland F Road Guide for First-Time Visitors: Do You Need a 4×4 Rental in Iceland?
Planning to drive Iceland’s wild and remote F Roads? You’re in for an epic adventure—but there are a few things you really need to know first. I’ll cover what they are, where they are, and what it’s like to drive them in this Iceland F Road guide.
F Roads are Iceland’s highland mountain roads, and they’re nothing like the Ring Road or paved scenic routes. These are rugged, gravel tracks that cut through Iceland’s interior and lead to some of the most jaw-dropping places in the country.
This guide to F Roads in Iceland includes:
- Vehicle requirements for driving on F Roads
- F Road map + when they open
- Beginner friendly F Roads
- Tips for how to drive F Roads in Iceland
- What to expect + what to do if you get stuck
What Are F Roads in Iceland?
F Roads in Iceland are unmaintained highland tracks – I say tracks and not roads, because many of them were originally used by farmers to herd sheep up or down the mountains each season.
As you can imagine, that means they’re more like a hiking trail than a road. Even in the United States, most of our “unmaintained roads” are still fairly decent to drive on, primarily due to our dirt, clay, or sand that makes it easy to drive over.
Iceland’s terrain is much different, though. So F Roads are primarily loose gravel and rocks, steep inclines, unbridged river crossings and are extremely remote – you won’t find cell service or gas refueling stations.
Due to the rugged road conditions, you can only legally drive on Iceland F Roads with a 4×4 vehicle.
FUN FACT: “F” stands for “fjallvegur,” which means mountain road. Very cleverly named (lol)
What Kind Of Car Do You Need To Drive F Roads In Iceland?
It is the law that you must drive a 4×4 vehicle on F Roads in Iceland. There are no exceptions.
This is truly for your own safety! F-roads often have deep potholes, loose gravel, steep hills, and unbridged rivers.
A 2WD car will struggle on most of these surfaces—and you could easily bottom out, get stuck in mud, or flood your engine during a river crossing.
The consequences of taking a non-4×4 vehicle onto an F Road in Iceland are steep. They range from expensive fines and tows or repairs, up to risking your own personal safety. It’s not worth it.
- If you’re caught, you can face fines from Icelandic police or park rangers, especially in areas with high tourist traffic like Landmannalaugar.
- Your rental insurance can become void the second you take a non-4×4 on an F-road. That means any damage, towing, or recovery fees—even if you just blow a tire—comes entirely out of your pocket (and it’s not cheap… most will cost at least $1,500!)
In addition to a 4×4 vehicle, it’s highly recommended to use a high clearance vehicle – especially if you plan on a route with river crossings.
Good options for high clearance 4×4 rentals in Iceland:
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Dacia Duster (budget-friendly)
- Jeep Wrangler
- Land Rover Defender
🚗 Booking Car Rentals With DiscoverCars
I recommend DiscoverCars for finding affordable and reliable rental cars while traveling. I like them for a few reasons:
- Negotiated Best Deals – They work with an extensive network of major brands and trusted local companies, so they’re able to negotiate the better prices than other sites.
- Transparent Prices – All mandatory fees, taxes, and extras are included in the quoted price. No surprises when you pick up your rental.
- Flexibility To Change Your Mind – Free cancellation up to 48 hours before your scheduled pickup time is included with every booking.
F Road Insurance
Rental insurance for F-roads in Iceland is one of the most important (and confusing) things to understand before you hit the highlands.
Standard rental car insurance does not always cover F Roads – you’ll want to double check whether F Roads are excluded before you book. (F Roads are always excluded for non-4×4 vehicles)
I also recommend adding incremental insurance coverage for damage specific to the highlands.
Specifically, ask about gravel protection (typically an upcharge), the option to upgrade your CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) to Super CDW with a lower deductible, and whether there is an option for water damage from river crossings (typically not, but some companies offer it.)
Additionally, Iceland is known for having extremely strong winds. The winds are so strong they can rip car doors off if you aren’t careful when opening them!
TIP: If you’re not 100% comfortable driving on F Roads, you can always book a 4×4 guided tour of the highlands and let someone else do the driving!
F Roads In Iceland Map
For the most part, roads along the coast of Iceland are paved, maintained roads.
Roads in the interior, around the Highlands, are usually unpaved. The Iceland F Roads map below shows all the F Roads in red.
Click here to open this map in a new tab (in higher resolution)
You can also download this interactive map of beginner F Roads in Iceland:
How To Use This Map:
Open this map in your browser by clicking the icon in the top right corner. Then click the star icon on the left-side bar. This will save the map to the Google Maps app on your phone so you can easily reference it during your trip.
Locate this map in your Google Maps app by selecting ‘you’ at the bottom of the phone app and then scroll down and click ‘maps’ to find saved trip maps like this one.
Popular Iceland F Roads For Beginners
If you’re looking to avoid the more crowded hot-spots in Iceland (like Blue Lagoon or Myvatn Nature Baths), the Highlands are the perfect place to explore! Here are some beginner-friendly (but still rugged) F Roads in Iceland with epic views:
F35 – Kjölur Route (Easiest F Road In Iceland)
Kjölur Route connects north and south Iceland via the highlands, instead of taking the longer route along the coastline. It’s a “short cut” connecting Gullfoss (Golden Circle) to Akureyri.
On your drive, you’ll pass between Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers. This is a good F Road for beginners because there are no river crossings.
Route: Gullfoss (Golden Circle) to Blönduós or Akureyri
Drive Time: 5-6 hours without stops
F Road Condition: Long gravel road that cuts through the interior but has no river crossings
Highlights: Kerlingarfjöll geothermal area, Hveravellir hot springs
F206/207 – Lakagígar Access F Road
F Road 206 is an out and back road, near the south coast of Iceland between Vik and Skaftafell.
The first section of this road is what takes you to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon parking, then it turns into a more rugged drive to Laki Craters (most infamously known for Laki Volcano, which erupted for 80 days in 1783-1784 and caused famine reaching as far as Egypt.)
Route: Kirkjubæjarklaustur to the Laki craters within the Vatnajökull National Park
Drive Time: 2–3 hours one way from Route 1 to the craters
F Road Condition: Gravel road with several small to moderate river crossings, depending on seasonal conditions. Becomes rougher the farther you go.
Highlights: Laki craters (formed during the massive 1783 eruption)
F208 – Fjallabaksleið Nyrðri F Road
One of the most popular hiking areas in Iceland, Landmannalaugar, can be reached by one of 3 F Road routes: From the southern entrance of F208, from the northern entrance of F208, or from F225.
The easiest road is the northern entrance of F208 – there are no river crossings and it’s a fairly easy F road to drive.
It’s possible to get to Landmannalaugar by coming up the south entrance of F208 (and it’s an exceptionally beautiful drive), but be prepared for a more difficult F Road with some river crossings (up to ~2 feet deep.)
Stick to the northern section of F208, between F26 and F225, if you’re less experienced. are traveling in a lighter 4×4 or are visiting during heavy rains when water levels are higher.
Route: Kirkjubæjarklaustur to F26 near Sigoldufoss
Drive Time: 5–7 hours
F Road Condition: Rougher in the southern section with multiple river crossings
Highlights: Landmannalaugar geothermal hot springs and hiking trails
More Challenging F Roads In Iceland
Not your first F Road rodeo? There are some good F Road options if you’re not exactly a beginner, but are still working on your off-roading skills.
F225 – Landmannaleið F Road
F225 is a slightly shorter route to Landmannalaugar, compared to the northern section of F208, but it has some river crossings that may be slightly advanced for a first-timer.
If you’re ready to learn river crossings, this is a great F Road to try! This F Road in Iceland also tends to be more trafficked, so you won’t feel quite so isolated (and you’re more likely to find help if you need it.)
Route: Connects Route 26 to Landmannalaugar (alternative to the rougher F208 south route)
Drive Time: 2–3 hours
F Road Condition: Gravel road with shallow river crossings (typically less intimidating than F208 south), but still remote
Highlights: Dramatic mountain views leading into Landmannalaugar, Frostastaðavatn and other lava field lakes
F26 – Sprengisandur Route
Sprengisandur Route is the longest F Road in Iceland. It connects the north and south coasts of Iceland, and passes through barren highlands that are incredibly remote and scenic, and feels like you’re on a different planet.
F26 is a more challenging alternative to F35 which also cuts north/south across Iceland.
For this reason, it’s best if you have some F Road experience prior to tackling this drive. It’s best to only take this route in good weather when conditions are optimal.
Route: Hrauneyjar to Aldeyjarfoss, between Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull glaciers
Drive Time: 6–8 hours
F Road Condition: Long, remote gravel route with rivers and washboard surfaces. Very few services or traffic.
When Are F-Roads Open In Iceland?
Most F Roads in Iceland open by mid-June and remain open through early September. Specific dates can vary year-to-year and depending on weather conditions.
I recommend checking for road conditions prior to driving on any F Roads.
NOTE: F Roads in Iceland can close without warning due to severe weather, like flooding and snow.
Is A Winter F-Road Trip Possible?
Unfortunately, no a winter F Road trip is not possible. F-roads officially close each fall, usually by early September, and stay closed until mid-June—sometimes later depending on snow and thaw conditions.
These roads are not maintained in winter. No snow plowing, no grading, and no access to help if you get stuck.
Even if it were possible to drive on F Roads in the winter, you really wouldn’t want to. The winter weather conditions in the highlands are extremely harsh. In addition to subzero temperatures, there are also frequent blizzards which create whiteout conditions with absolutely no visibility.
Safety Tips For How To Drive Iceland F Roads
Driving on Iceland’s F Roads can be risky, but if you’re well prepared you’ll decrease the chance of any issues.
Check the road conditions before each trip. Conditions in the highlands can change quickly so it’s important to have the most current weather predictions.
Make sure you’ve downloaded offline maps (Google Maps has this feature) before you go. You won’t have cell signal on F Roads, but if your map is downloaded to your phone you’ll still be able to use it. You should also carry a paper map in case your battery dies.
Always carry extra supplies (water, food, warm clothing and blankets). In case of an emergency, or if the drive takes longer than expected you’ll need these items.
Make sure someone knows your plans – where you’re going, which route, and when you plan to arrive safely to your destination. Let them know to call for help if you don’t check in at your agreed time.
There are no gas stations in the highlands – fill up on gas before your trip and ensure you’re carrying enough to make it to the next refueling station.
It’s a good idea to have a satellite phone (current iPhone models have this feature built-in) so you can call for help without cellular signal. The Icelandic emergency number is 112, and it’s also a good idea to write down the emergency number for your rental car company.
NOTE: If you get stuck, towing from the highlands can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 USD or more depending on your location and can take hours or overnight to get to you.
🌊 River Crossing Safety On F Roads
Not all F-roads have river crossings, but many do. Here’s what to keep in mind:
☀️ Cross rivers early, before glacier melt increases water levels.
⚙️ Drive slowly in low gear, and if another car is crossing, wait your turn.
🚀 Never cross fast-moving or deep rivers—when in doubt, wait or turn back.
➡️ Always cross downstream (with the current), not directly against it.
🛞 Don’t follow tire tracks blindly—conditions change, what was safe then may not be now.
Planning A Trip To Iceland
Driving Iceland’s F-roads is a unique way to explore the wild side of the country and avoid crowds. They can lead you to some of the most memorable and pristine places in Iceland.
Be sure you have the appropriate 4×4 vehicle, respect the rules, check the weather, and don’t try to rush it!
You can find additional Iceland planning guides here, and be sure to check out the stops along this 4 day Iceland itinerary!
