What are the most spectacular roads in Iceland?

Located in the northern part of Europe, Iceland is a country that provides an unparalleled road trip experience, with mountain roads and coastal drives, mixed with 4x4 trips. Some of the roads, due to their dangerousness, are for 4x4 vehicles only. Others are just for special vehicles, having to cross rivers.

Tucked away in the North Atlantic Ocean, the country covers 103,000 square kilometers. It’s famous for its dramatic landscapes with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, lava fields, and roads. When traveling to the country, be sure to drive Road 622, a hazardous drive below sea level when the tide is high; it’s one of the most challenging drives on Earth, with the road carved into and under cliffs. Driving this road is possible if you have a Jeep, 4x4 experience, time, and strong nerves.

Another must-do is driving the Askja Road, one of Earth’s most scenic trips. It’s a winding dirt track running towards the Askja volcano, a stratovolcano situated in a remote part of the central highlands. The road has some challenging sections with several fords and river crossings. Keep in mind, it’s a very dangerous drive. If you prefer paved roads, the Diamond Circle is an epic adventure for you. Running through the most incredible spots in the northeastern part of Iceland, it is an epic and unforgettable adventure.

Road 622 is one of the most challenging drives on Earth. Located on the coast of the Dýrafjörður fjord in the Westfjords of Iceland, some describe it as the most terrifying road in the country. It is an incredibly beautiful route, with the road carved into and under cliffs, offering stunning mountain views throughout. If you have a Jeep, 4x4 experience, time, and strong nerves, driving this road is possible.

Öxi Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 539m (1,768ft) above sea level, located in the Eastern Region of Iceland. It’s recommended to avoid this pass outside of summer and during bad weather.

F26 (Sprengisandsleið) is a highland gravel road located in the Southern Region of Iceland, featuring the most desolate terrain found in the country.

F35 is a challenging gravel road in Iceland, running at an elevation of about 600–700 meters, from north to south, through Kjölur, a plateau in the country's highlands.

Askja Road is a winding dirt track running towards Askja volcano, a stratovolcano situated in a remote part of the central highlands of northeast Iceland. The road has some challenging sections with several fords and river crossings. Keep in mind it’s a very dangerous drive.

F208 (Fjallabaksleið nyrðri) is one of the most challenging roads in Iceland. Expect very tough driving conditions, with potholes, rocks, uneven terrain, and even rivers to ford.

Road 864 (Hólsfjallavegur) is a bumpy, unsealed, and dusty road located in the Northeastern Region of Iceland. Once you’re on the road, everything inside the car will be covered in dust kicked up from the road.

Diamond Circle Road is a very scenic drive running through the most incredible spots in the northeastern part of Iceland. It is an epic and unforgettable adventure.

Road 550 (Kaldadalsvegur) is a very scenic drive located in the Western region of Iceland, leading through some rough landscapes. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is not legally required, but highly recommended. There are no river crossings.

The infamous Þórsmerkurvegur (F249 Road) is a very exciting and challenging drive located in the Southern Region of Iceland. There are a lot of river crossings on the road. It’s one of the famous F Roads of the country.

F910 (Austurleið) is a challenging mountain road located in the Northeastern Region of Iceland. It’s one of the famous F Roads of the country.

Fjarðarheiði is a mountain pass at an elevation of 623m (2,043ft) above sea level, located in the Eastern Region of Iceland.

Situated on the most western part of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, in western Iceland, 570 Road (Jökulshálsvegur) is one of the most scenic drives of the country. The drive can be very tricky: it is only passable by 4x4 vehicles.

Embark on an exhilarating journey along Route 61, also known as Djúpavegur, a captivating coastal road weaving through the picturesque landscapes of Iceland.

Located in the mystical landscape of southern Iceland, F210, also known as Fjallabaksleið syðri, is an enchanting journey for the adventurous. This 113km (70 miles) route unfolds amidst awe-inspiring panoramas that are undoubtedly some of the country's finest. However, a word of caution: the road is strewn with numerous unbridged rivers that can test the mettle of even the most seasoned drivers.

Located in the Southern Region of Iceland, F225 (Landmannaleið) is one of the most beautiful drives of the country, offering breathtaking landscapes. It is one of Iceland's infamous highland roads.

Located near the Hekla volcano, in the Southern Region of Iceland, Háifoss is a 122 meters high waterfall. Fed by the river Fossá, it’s one of the tallest waterfalls in the country.

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.

Road 59, also known as Laxárdalsvegur, is a very scenic yet defiant breathtaking road through the mountainous landscapes of Iceland's Westfjords.

Road 862 (Dettifossvegur) is a very scenic drive located in the Northeastern Region of Iceland, leading to Dettifoss waterfall.

F578 (Arnarvatnsvegur) is a very dangerous drive located in the Northwestern Region of Iceland. Travelers need to be well prepared with enough food, water and fuel for the drive ahead. F578 is not a road! It is at best a track, muddy slippery and on a rainy day, a slippery as hell mudhole.

F338, also known as Skjaldbreiðarvegur, is a very scenic road situated in the Southern Region of Iceland. It is not recommended for newbies. You’ll need a 4x4 vehicle with high clearance. Along the way, drivers will have to cross two rivers. It’s one of the famous F Roads of the country.

Tucked away on the Westfjords peninsula in Iceland, the Djúpvegur was one of the most dangerous roads in the country due to falling rocks and sudden avalanches. The road is currently closed to vehicles and accessible only on foot.

F821 (Eyjafjarðarleið) is a defiant road located in the Northeastern Region of Iceland. Travelers need to be well prepared with enough food, water and fuel for the drive ahead.

Route 1, commonly known as Ring Road, is 830 miles of adventure and surprises in Iceland. A road trip like no other, running the entire country and connecting the most populous parts. It's one of the most scenic drives in the world. 

Situated in the Southern Region of Iceland, the F232 (Öldufellsleið) is a very challenging drive with breathtaking landscape and rugged rivers. It is only suitable for 4x4 vehicles with significant fording capacity, and there are no services or networks along the way.

Located in south Iceland, the F261 Road (Emstruleið) is a very challenging drive, with a breathtaking landscape and difficult river crossings.

Located in the Eastern Region of Iceland, the F923 (Jökuldalsvegur) is a difficult road with breathtaking landscapes. There are a couple of rivers to ford.

Located in the Eastern Region of Iceland, the F985 (Jökulvegur) is a very winding drive with hundreds of turns, suitable only for 4x4 vehicles. This road is practically vertical in places.

Located in the Southern Region of Iceland, road F206 (Lakagígar) is a demanding drive through a landscape with rivers. It’s one of the famous F Roads of the country.

F66 (Kollafjarðarheiði) is a challenging drive located in the West Fjords peninsula of Iceland. It's only suitable for 4x4 vehicles with very high ground clearance, as there are a few small rivers along the way.

F586 (Haukadalsskarðsvegur) is a very scenic high mountain drive located on the western coast of Iceland. 4x4 vehicles only.

Hellisheiði Eystri is a mountain pass at an elevation of 644m (2,112ft) above sea level, located in Northeast Iceland. The road is very steep, with some parts reaching gradients of up to 15%. Even though driving the road is a bit intimidating, the view from the top is stunning.

F235 (Langisjór) is a very demanding road located in the south of Iceland. It's only suitable for 4x4 vehicles with very high ground clearance. There are a number of small streams that need to be crossed.

Located in the Southern Region of Iceland, the infamous F337 (Hlöðuvallavegur) is one of the steepest roads of the country, with breathtaking views. It’s one of the famous F Roads of the country.

Bolafjall is a mountain peak at an elevation of 615 meters (2,017 feet) above sea level, located in Bolungarvíkurkaupstaður, Iceland. The summit offers spectacular views, and on a clear day, some people claim you can see all the way to Greenland.

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