What are the F Roads of Iceland?

If you are planning to drive in Iceland and having some adventure on the road, the F Roads are the starting point to some of the most stunning places in the highlands of the country.

F Roads are, basically, mountain roads: the F stands for “fjalla”, which means “mountain” in Icelandic. The routes are breathtaking, but challenging and, in some cases, the most dangerous roads in the country. Travelling on the F Rods requires a 4×4 vehicle. And sometimes, a 4x4 vehicle is not enough. Certain F-roads will require higher clearance on a vehicle.  Driving in a small car is simply and plainly irresponsible and can be very dangerous. Bare in mind that off-road driving (driving outside of marked paths or roads) is forbidden in Iceland and the fines for doing that are extremely high. Keep in mind that no insurances covers possible damages caused while fording a river. Make sure that the F road you plan to travel on is open for traffic, and drive slowly. Some F roads are hardly roads at all– you might consider them mountain tracks.
Never drive alone. It is strongly advised that people travel together in 2 or more cars in case any trouble arises. And tell somebody about your travel plans. Due to weather conditions and safety, F-roads are only open for a short period of time (July  to late September).
These roads can contain a lot of loose gravel and some of them can also contain quite deep and wide rivers. They shouldn’t be attempted by novice drivers. If you are not a confident driver, it’s recommended to avoid F-roads. Take a tip from the tortoise: slow and steady wins the race.
Avoid committing your vehicle to what is in front of you until you are sure of what you are getting into because things could get worse. F roads are, basically, mountain roads; unpaved gravel tracks that are not regularly maintained. A traveler on F roads must be experienced and completely devoted to safe, slow and obstacle-conscious driving to deter danger. You don’t need a special driver’s license to go on F-roads, but it’s usually better to have a more experienced driver behind the wheel. Don’t forget they’re intense… Always check the website road.is and safetravel.is before driving there

F Roads in Iceland

• Exploring the Rugged Beauty of Road 59 (Laxardalsvegur) in Iceland's Westfjords
• Driving the scenic Route 61, a coastal road in Iceland