This week the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority has opened several more roads in the Central Highlands. Among these is the road to mount Askja with its renowned crater lake, Öskjuvatn.
Central Highlands accessible unusually early
In previous years the road leading to Öskjuvatn lake (F894) has not been accessible until much later in summer. In 2014, for example, the road to Öskjuvatn crater lake was only opened to the public on July 11. Unusually light snows in the Central Highlands this past winter are the main reason.
Other Central Highlands roads which have been opened are the road across Arnarvatnsheiði heath (F578), the Kverkfjöll road (F903) up to Sænautasel lodge.
Roads in the Central Highlands are closed during the winter due to difficult conditions, and are not re-opened to traffic until early to mid summer when the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority has determined the roads are clear of snow and safe for traffic. Travellers should keep in mind that while many Central Highlands and mountain roads have been opened to traffic unusually early this year, it does not mean they are accessible to all traffic. Roads in the Central Highlands are, as a rule, only suitable for 4x4s and specially equipped trucks.
IMPORTANT!
Travellers are advised NEVER to drive onto closed mountain or highlands roads. Roads are closed to traffic for a reason!
Travellers are also advised that highlands roads, and all roads marked with an F (The F stands for Fjallvegur, Mountain Road) are only suitable for 4x4s and larger specially equipped SUVs. There are no service stations in the Central Highlands, and you must ensure you have a full tank before heading into the highlands.
Most rental car insurance does NOT cover damages caused by driving on F-roads. No rental car insurance covers damages caused when crossing unbridged rivers.
Before heading into the Central Highlands you should ALWAYS check road conditions at the site of the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority, as well as checking the weather with the Meteorological Office.
This week the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority has opened several more roads in the Central Highlands. Among these is the road to mount Askja with its renowned crater lake, Öskjuvatn.
Central Highlands accessible unusually early
In previous years the road leading to Öskjuvatn lake (F894) has not been accessible until much later in summer. In 2014, for example, the road to Öskjuvatn crater lake was only opened to the public on July 11. Unusually light snows in the Central Highlands this past winter are the main reason.
Other Central Highlands roads which have been opened are the road across Arnarvatnsheiði heath (F578), the Kverkfjöll road (F903) up to Sænautasel lodge.
Roads in the Central Highlands are closed during the winter due to difficult conditions, and are not re-opened to traffic until early to mid summer when the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority has determined the roads are clear of snow and safe for traffic. Travellers should keep in mind that while many Central Highlands and mountain roads have been opened to traffic unusually early this year, it does not mean they are accessible to all traffic. Roads in the Central Highlands are, as a rule, only suitable for 4x4s and specially equipped trucks.
IMPORTANT!
Travellers are advised NEVER to drive onto closed mountain or highlands roads. Roads are closed to traffic for a reason!
Travellers are also advised that highlands roads, and all roads marked with an F (The F stands for Fjallvegur, Mountain Road) are only suitable for 4x4s and larger specially equipped SUVs. There are no service stations in the Central Highlands, and you must ensure you have a full tank before heading into the highlands.
Most rental car insurance does NOT cover damages caused by driving on F-roads. No rental car insurance covers damages caused when crossing unbridged rivers.
Before heading into the Central Highlands you should ALWAYS check road conditions at the site of the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority, as well as checking the weather with the Meteorological Office.
