What is The Difference Between F-roads and Off-Road?
Iceland is a great place for a road trip – its extraordinary landscapes create the perfect backdrop during your time behind the wheel and offer many tempting possibilities for stops along the way. In a country that has become increasingly popular, the desire to explore off the beaten track and find solitude within Iceland’s wilderness areas is a big reason why some travelers are so interested in F-roads. But before you start planning your adventure, it’s important that you understand the difference between the types of roads you’ll find in these hard-to-reach places. In this article, we’ll take a look at the country’s F-roads and learn how they differ from going off-road.
What are F-roads?
F-roads are Iceland’s mountain roads – the letter F stands for fjall, the Icelandic word for mountain. They’re rough, potholed gravel roads that take a lot of concentration and skill to navigate. Mostly, they aren’t maintained outside of summer and are impassable for most of the year unless you are using a specially modified vehicle like a Super Jeep. Because they wind through remote areas, F roads are also known for their unspoiled, striking scenery, making them an exciting prospect for travelers confident enough about their own driving prowess.
Where can you expect to encounter Iceland’s F-roads?
The majority of the country’s F-roads are located in the mountainous interior. Iceland’s Highlands region is crisscrossed by these rough gravel roads, which open to self-drive road-trippers for a brief summer season. However, you’ll also find them in the Westfjords (the F66), in East Iceland (the F946), in the southeast of the country (the F980), and in North Iceland (the F839 and the F899).
For more details on which F-roads are open during summer 2025, be sure to check current road updates.
From time to time infrastructure improvements lead to their reclassification. For instance, the F35 that led into the Highlands from the 35 is now designated as the 35 for its entire length. You’ll still need a 4x4 to tackle it and it’s often impassable, but officially it is not an F-road anymore. Similarly, the 570 on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula shares a lot of characteristics with F-roads but is no longer one itself.
Are all F-roads the same?
There’s a big difference between the various F-roads, though driving on all of them would be considered challenging. Some feature steep gradients as they climb through isolated upland areas, while others gain their notoriety from the rivers that drivers will need to cross as they make their way along them. Each has its own distinct differences, so once you have the taste for this kind of driving, there is a plethora of “new” routes to follow on future driving adventures.
Is driving on an F-road the same as going off-road?
Driving on F-roads is permitted in Iceland, so long as they are officially open. Typically, they’re accessible from June or July until sometime in September. Weather conditions vary from year to year and therefore so does the time when these roads open to 4x4 drivers. But these tracks are legal to drive on, unlike the landscapes on either side of them.
In contrast, driving off-road is illegal in Iceland. This is because much of the countryside is actually quite fragile. Damage to moss and other types of vegetation from tire tracks can take decades or even longer to repair itself and the government takes a very dim view of anyone who thinks they are above the law. Expect a hefty fine and once word gets out, a public outcry in response to such reckless behavior.
People sometimes confuse the two things as even F-roads can be very rugged in appearance. Therefore, if you plan to drive on any of Iceland’s F-roads, always consult a map (try that on the road.is website), plan your route carefully, and ensure you stick to the marked track so you don’t accidentally venture off-road.
For more information on the F-roads in Iceland, be sure to check out this comprehensive guide F-roads in Iceland.
