The Icelandic Road Administration confirmed this morning that due to thawing conditions, all traffic is currently prohibited on a number of the F-routes in Iceland’s highlands. The notice, issued at 08:41 local time on 22 April 2026, applies across the highland interior and covers the F-road network that provides the only vehicle access to the central highlands. No specific reopening dates have been given — highland F-road openings depend entirely on snowmelt and ground conditions and are assessed route by route.
Why this matters for photographers: Iceland’s highland interior — including destinations such as Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, Askja, and the Sprengisandur and Kjölur routes — is only accessible by 4WD vehicles via F-roads. In spring, the thawing volcanic soil is extremely fragile and deeply rutted road surfaces present serious vehicle recovery risks. Driving a closed F-road is illegal under Icelandic law and can result in significant fines. Most F-roads do not open until mid-June to early July depending on elevation and snowpack. Photographers planning highland trips for May or early June should treat all highland routes as inaccessible until individual roads are confirmed open on road.is.
What photographers should do:
- Check road.is daily for updates on specific F-road openings; openings are announced route by route and can shift by several weeks depending on the season.
- Do not assume any F-road is open without checking — even routes that appear accessible on satellite imagery may be closed at ground level due to saturated soil.
- Plan highland photography trips from late June onward for near-certainty of access; the Kjölur route (F35) tends to open earlier than highland routes further east.
- If you are already in Iceland and keen to shoot highland landscapes, consider accessible lowland locations such as Þingvellir National Park, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and the South Coast, which remain open year-round.
For full guidance on F-road access and highland photography seasons, see our Iceland F-Roads for Photographers: Access, Safety & Seasons.
Source: Icelandic Road Administration (Vegagerðin) — https://umferdin.is/en