Before you head into the Highlands.
Which F-roads our Dusters may drive, which roads are forbidden, and why river crossings are never insured.
BlackSheep Dusters are 4×4 and may drive many F-roads when the roads are officially open. Three rules matter most:
- River crossings are never insured. If water damages the car, you pay the full cost.
- Some F-roads are forbidden in all our cars, whatever the weather. See the list below.
- Check road conditions every morning on umferdin.is before you drive.
River crossings: at your own risk
No BlackSheep insurance or liability waiver covers water damage, whatever cover you chose. This includes rivers, streams, flooded roads and standing water. If water gets into the engine or the car gets stuck, you pay the full cost of towing, repair or replacement.
Our advice: do not cross rivers. Park and walk, or turn around. If you still choose to cross:
- Stop, get out and look first. If you are not sure, do not cross.
- Cross where the river is widest and calmest, never where it is fast or deep.
- Glacial rivers rise during the day and after rain. Cross early in the morning.
- Wait for another car and watch it cross first.
- Drive slowly in low gear without stopping, and never drive downstream.
F-roads: allowed when open
F-roads are mountain roads, mostly gravel, often with no bridges and no services. Most open between late June and early July and close again in September, depending on snow and weather.
- Drive F-roads only when they are marked open on umferdin.is. Closed means closed.
- Fill up before you go. There are few or no fuel stations in the Highlands.
- Keep speed low. Gravel, ruts and loose stones damage tyres and windscreens.
- Phone coverage is patchy. Tell someone your route or leave a travel plan on safetravel.is.
Forbidden roads
These roads are forbidden in all BlackSheep cars, even when they are open. They have deep or fast river crossings that our cars cannot safely handle. Driving them is prohibited use under our Terms & Conditions: a fine of ISK 300.000 applies, and all damage, towing and recovery costs are yours. Insurance does not cover it.
| Road | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| F249 | Þórsmörk | Many deep, fast glacial rivers (Krossá) |
| F210 | Fjallabak south, around Mýrdalsjökull | Deep river crossings |
| F233 | Mælifell | Deep river crossing that stops many vehicles |
| F88 | Askja (Öskjuleið) | Deep river crossings |
| F26 | Sprengisandur | Deep river crossings on parts of the route |
| F578 | Arnarvatnsheiði | Deep river crossings, rough track |
| F622 | Westfjords | Dangerous coastal track |
| F337 | Þjófahraun | Deep river crossings |
| F910 | Askja (Austurleið) | Deep river crossings |
| F980 | Kollumúlavegur, East | Extreme track, deep rivers |
| F903 | East Highlands | Deep river crossings |
| F909 | East Highlands | Deep river crossings |
Not recommended: F208 south of Landmannalaugar (towards Eldgjá) has several river crossings. Do not drive it.
Good F-roads for a Duster
These routes suit the Duster when they are open and dry:
- F35 Kjölur: across the Highlands between Gullfoss and the north, bridged rivers. Good for Hveravellir hot spring.
- F208 north to Landmannalaugar: from road 26 near Sigalda. No major river crossings on this section.
- F225 Landmannaleið: the other way to Landmannalaugar. Expect rougher gravel and small streams; check conditions first.
Landmannalaugar tip: there is a river right before the campsite. Leave the car at the parking area before it and walk across the footbridge.
Off-road driving is illegal
Driving outside marked roads and tracks is against the law in Iceland, including sand, moss and gravel plains. Tyre tracks scar the land for decades and fines are high. Stay on the road, even to turn around.
Help and useful links
- Accident, injury or fire: call 112.
- Breakdown, flat tyre, stuck or towing (24/7): 24 Road Assistance, +354 419 2400 (call or WhatsApp).
- Road conditions and closures: umferdin.is
- Weather and wind warnings: vedur.is
- Safety alerts and travel plan: safetravel.is