How to cross rivers safely on Iceland’s F-roads?
Iceland’s Highlands are one of Europe’s great wilderness areas and it’s not hard to see why they hold such appeal for adventure-seeking tourists. It’s a treat to be immersed in a breathtakingly beautiful and unspoiled landscape of mineral-rich mountains, pristine glaciers, fairytale canyons adorned by waterfalls, and rugged lava fields. To find yourself almost alone in such a place is an immense privilege, and so although it’s possible to take a tour, this is why some travelers are keen to go it alone.
However, one of the most daunting things for visitors considering driving on Iceland’s F-roads is the thought of having to do a river crossing or two. These rough mountain roads enable you to access areas that are remote and unspoiled, but the trade-off is a lack of infrastructure. Sometimes, though contrary to popular belief not always, you will need to cross water.
The F-road network within Iceland’s Highlands region is open only in summer, and as the season is short, it wouldn’t be cost-effective to build and maintain bridges. Consequently, if you come across a river, you’ll almost certainly need to ford it. There’s a right and wrong way to do so. If you’ve never driven into water before, let’s take a look at what you need to know if you are trying to find out how to cross rivers safely on Iceland’s F-roads.
Make sure crossing rivers is permitted in the car you’ve chosen to rent
The first thing you need to do before considering crossing a river in Iceland is to realize that if something goes wrong, your insurance is highly unlikely to cover it. Water damage is a common exclusion, but can end up costing you thousands, so if you intend to ford a stream or river, you’ll need to be absolutely sure that your skills are up to the task if you are to avoid being presented with a bill large enough to ruin your holiday.
Seek advice on how to choose the right vehicle
Before setting out, you’ll need to be in the right vehicle. Discuss whether the car you are thinking about renting is up to the task and also whether you’re allowed to drive it on highland F-roads. Once you know you’ve been given the green light, then it’s worth reading up about the techniques involved in crossing rivers so that you know when to attempt it and when to turn back. If in doubt, the best advice we can give you is to not proceed.
Not all river crossings are created equal
As with anything, there are degrees of challenge when it comes to F-road river crossings. Some are shallow streams that are easy to find while others are deep, with fast-flowing currents that have enough force to wash a vehicle away. Accept that you’ll need to avoid notorious river crossings such as those on the F249 over the Krossá, and always seek advice before adding any river crossing to your Iceland itinerary. Sometimes, only a specialist vehicle such as a super jeep will do.
Understand the conditions
Even in summer, conditions aren’t always right for making a river crossing. Both heavy rainfall in the days prior to your visit and warm sunny days that accelerate the rate of glacial melting will make the river deeper. Deeper water flows faster, so at best, it will make a crossing trickier and at worst, dangerous. Choose a day when the river level is lower and remember you may need to make your crossing earlier in the day before meltwater has caused the levels to rise.
Make a thorough assessment on foot
One size very definitely doesn’t fit all when it comes to working out where to cross. It’s a sensible idea to park up so that you can make an assessment of the place where you think you might cross to be sure it’s safe to do so. Look for a site where the depth is less than half the height of your wheels at the deepest point. Sometimes you will see posts, other times you might need to wade into the river to check – never do this if you aren’t 100% certain that it is safe to do so.
Choose an appropriate place to cross
Once you’ve potentially found your spot, work out the route you’ll take. The first thing to look for is whether there is a rope that has been strung across which may indicate the suggested path. Take a close look at the river’s surface; if it is undisturbed and still, this often indicates that the water is deeper. Meanwhile, larger ripples are clues to the presence of large boulders concealed under the surface. Ideally, you want something between the two.
Don’t assume that because someone else can cross, so can you
One sign that indicates a river crossing might be possible is the presence of tire marks leading into and out of the river channel. However, though this can be a good sign, unless you know what vehicle made them you still need to be cautious – it could have been a lot larger than the car you’re in. Sometimes you might wish to hang around and wait to cross the river in a small convoy.
You might not drive straight across
Though it might feel intuitive to drive straight across using the shortest route possible, this isn’t always the safest option. Often, you’ll instead follow a diagonal path across, starting upstream and exiting slightly further downstream. Never face upstream while crossing. This may mean you don’t have to fight the river current which in turn reduces the risk of water getting into your engine.
Commit and don’t hesitate
Once you begin your crossing, it’s important that you commit. Keep the car in a low gear and don’t change gear midway through. Keep a consistent pace and don’t ease on or off the accelerator. You’re aiming to drive at a slow speed so that you create a small bow wave in order to keep the water out of your engine. Never let the water splash over your bonnet or windscreen as this means you are moving too fast.
River crossings aren’t for everyone
As you’ll have seen, choosing to make a river crossing as part of your journey along Iceland’s F-roads is not to be taken lightly. Nevertheless, if you’re confident that you’re driving abilities are up to the task, then it’s likely to be one of the most memorable periods you’ll spend behind the wheel. Prepare thoroughly, but don’t be ashamed to admit it’s not for you.
In summary, if you’re likely to be tackling a river crossing during your Iceland trip then talk to us first. You’ll need the right car; remember that water damage isn’t covered by insurance so getting this wrong will be expensive as well as potentially dangerous. Bear in mind, that there is a plethora of day trips you can book if you don’t want to self-drive this particular leg of your journey. You might choose to park up for the day and let someone else take the wheel while you experience a river crossing stress-free as a passenger. If you’re planning your Iceland adventure, be sure to check out the top 5 scenic routes on Iceland’s F-roads to make the most of your journey.
