Iceland's central highlands remain largely closed to traffic and tourism due to the heavy snowfall this past winter and the unusually cold spring. Many roads and hiking paths are still blocked by snow.
A few roads have been opened
Roads to the Kverkfjöll mountains, north-east of Vatnajökull glacier, have been opened, as has the northernmost strip of the Kjalvegur mountain road in the central highlands. However, most other mountain roads remain closed. The road to the popular Highland destinations Landmannalaugar and Veiðivötn have been opened.
According to an announcement by the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (IRCA) travelers are advised that the few mountain roads which have been opened are only passable to 4×4 trucks, and that snow and snowmelt remain serious obstacles.
Hikers advised to study conditions, prepare well
While automotive traffic remains strictly forbidden in most of the highlands, hiking is not. However, the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue encourages all travelers to study conditions carefully and make appropriate preparations.
Up to date conditions on highland and mountain roads can be seen on t IRCA's website. A pdf version of the map can be found here.
Iceland's central highlands remain largely closed to traffic and tourism due to the heavy snowfall this past winter and the unusually cold spring. Many roads and hiking paths are still blocked by snow.
A few roads have been opened
Roads to the Kverkfjöll mountains, north-east of Vatnajökull glacier, have been opened, as has the northernmost strip of the Kjalvegur mountain road in the central highlands. However, most other mountain roads remain closed. The road to the popular Highland destinations Landmannalaugar and Veiðivötn have been opened.
According to an announcement by the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (IRCA) travelers are advised that the few mountain roads which have been opened are only passable to 4×4 trucks, and that snow and snowmelt remain serious obstacles.
Hikers advised to study conditions, prepare well
While automotive traffic remains strictly forbidden in most of the highlands, hiking is not. However, the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue encourages all travelers to study conditions carefully and make appropriate preparations.
Up to date conditions on highland and mountain roads can be seen on t IRCA's website. A pdf version of the map can be found here.