One of the most popular highland roads of Iceland is open to the public, as of yesterday. On July 1 The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration opened the entire stretch of Kjalvegur road, also known as Kjölur, between Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers. This means travellers will be able to visit Hveravellir, considered by many to be the most beautiful oasis of the central highlands.
Highland roads open unusually late this summer
Kjalvegur, Route 35, begins in south Iceland, north of Gullfoss Waterfall, and traverses the central highlands, west of Langjökull glacier, ending south of the town of Blönduós in Northern Iceland. The road lies 600-672 meters above sea-level. The road is opened unusually late this year, as the average opening date for Kjalvegur has been in the first two weeks of June.
The highland roads have remained closed unusually late this year. The reason for this is the unusually cold spring and heavy snows this winter.
Many popular routes remain closed, including the road over Sprengisandur, between Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull, and all roads north of Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The late opening of central highland routes has caused considerable anxiety among many tour guides and travel agencies who rely on booking trips to the area.
Keep up to date on which roads are closed, which are open
An updated map of road conditions and which roads remain closed can be accessed at the website of The Road Administration.
A printable PDF map is also available, showing which areas are completely closed to all motorized traffic.
One of the most popular highland roads of Iceland is open to the public, as of yesterday. On July 1 The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration opened the entire stretch of Kjalvegur road, also known as Kjölur, between Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers. This means travellers will be able to visit Hveravellir, considered by many to be the most beautiful oasis of the central highlands.
Highland roads open unusually late this summer
Kjalvegur, Route 35, begins in south Iceland, north of Gullfoss Waterfall, and traverses the central highlands, west of Langjökull glacier, ending south of the town of Blönduós in Northern Iceland. The road lies 600-672 meters above sea-level. The road is opened unusually late this year, as the average opening date for Kjalvegur has been in the first two weeks of June.
The highland roads have remained closed unusually late this year. The reason for this is the unusually cold spring and heavy snows this winter.
Many popular routes remain closed, including the road over Sprengisandur, between Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull, and all roads north of Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The late opening of central highland routes has caused considerable anxiety among many tour guides and travel agencies who rely on booking trips to the area.
Keep up to date on which roads are closed, which are open
An updated map of road conditions and which roads remain closed can be accessed at the website of The Road Administration.
A printable PDF map is also available, showing which areas are completely closed to all motorized traffic.
