The road section Kjalvegur–Hlöðuvallavegur, which provides access to the Kjölur highland route, was marked as out of service (Vegur ekki í þjónustu) by Vegagerðin on 14 October 2026 at 18:01. The status had previously been passable for 4×4 and larger vehicles. No further comment was issued by the road administration.
Why this matters for photographers
The Kjölur route (F35) is one of Iceland’s most photographed highland roads, linking the south and north interior and passing Hveravellir geothermal area and Kerlingarfjöll. Mid-October is already late in the highland season, and a road being taken out of service typically signals that conditions have deteriorated beyond what is considered manageable, even for suitable vehicles. Photographers who had planned late-season highland shooting via this access point should treat the route as unavailable until further notice.
What photographers should do
- Check the current status of Kjalvegur–Hlöðuvallavegur directly on the Vegagerðin road conditions map at road.is before making any travel plans toward the Kjölur area.
- If the closure remains in place, plan alternative routes or postpone your highland visit — attempting a road marked Vegur ekki í þjónustu is not permitted and carries significant safety and legal risk.
- Monitor road.is regularly, as highland road statuses at this time of year can change quickly with snowfall or deteriorating weather conditions.
For full guidance, see our Iceland F-Roads for Photographers: Access, Safety & Seasons.
Source: Vegagerðin — https://www.road.is/travel-info/road-conditions-and-weather/