Have a safe

journey
 www.road.is
www.vedur.is

Preparation

Icelandic nature can be wild and dangerous, especially for

those unfamiliar with it and unused to travelling in
uninhabited areas and rough country. Travellers should
prepare well for each trip and know its trail and route
conditions. This is the best way to prevent accidents and
ensure a pleasant and safe journey.

Choose clothing and footwear with care.

Preface
Read about conditions in the area you will be
Iceland offers the traveller an adventure in a beautiful traversing and talk to people with local knowledge,
and rugged landscape. such as rangers.

However, experience shows that the forces of Let somebody know about your planned trip.
Icelandic nature can be harsh and inhospitable, and
travellers are well-advised to exercise caution and Check weather and road conditions – information
respect for the country’s natural environment. available from the Public Roads Administration, tel.
Unfortunately, there have been far too many accidents 1777 or at www.road.is
in the past few years involving foreign tourists
travelling around the country. These accidents range Check the weather forecast – information available
from minor to fatal. The most common type of from the Icelandic Meteorological Office,
accident is that of hikers losing their footing on tel. 902-0600, the Teletext or at www.vedur.is
uneven terrain. The most serious injuries, however, are
caused by road traffic accidents where travellers drive
too fast in unfamiliar conditions and do not wear seat
belts.

Travellers should prepare well for each trip and know its trail and route conditions.
 112
The Emergency Number in Iceland is 112.

Weather

Icelandic weather is very volatile. Fair weather can

change into a raging storm at a moment’s notice.
Keep this in mind at all times, especially when
travelling in the highlands.

For every 100m in altitude gained, you can

expect the mean temperature to drop by 0.6°C
and precipitation to increase.

The temperature can drop below the freezing

point even during summer, especially at night.

At mountain tops, wind force can multiply.

Signposts

There are very few warning notices posted in the

Icelandic wilderness, even at popular stopovers.

Tourists travel at their own risk.

Winter
Iceland looks very different in the wintertime, and is
enjoyable to explore in that season. However, the
vagaries of the Icelandic weather can play a decisive
role regarding your trip.
The frequency at which roads are cleared of
snow varies, depending on their defined service
level. It is important to check road and weather
conditions before setting off by phoning 1777
and 902-0600, checking the Teletext or visiting
www.road.is and www.vedur.is
When travelling in a vehicle, it is important not to
abandon it if something comes up or the
weather conditions are difficult.
Winter tyres are essential for driving in the
wintertime.
You often have to rely on your own good sense and
judgment when assessing the situation and making
decisions.
Telephone connections
The mobile phone connection is fairly reliable in towns,
but outside them it can be very unstable. Therefore, do
not rely on a mobile phone as a safety measure.
The long-range NMT network covers most parts of
the highlands but not all parts. The signals are often
strongest on top of hillocks and mountains.
Travellers intending to explore out-of-the-way areas
are encouraged to use the Travellers' Reporting
Service of the Icelandic Association for Search and
Rescue (ICE-SAR), tel. 570-5900.

Always bring warm clothing, blankets, a shovel The Emergency Number in Iceland is 112.
and a first aid kit in the vehicle.
 The speed limit in urban areas is normally 50 km per hour
On paved roads outside towns, it is 90 km per hour
Undirbúningur
On gravel roads, it is 80 km per hour

er mikilvægur

Blind summits are common in Iceland. Slow

down and keep to the right-hand edge of the
road.

There are many one-lane bridges in Iceland.

Driving
Road conditions in Iceland vary substantially. Highway
1 is mostly paved, but other country roads are often
very narrow, steep and washboarded gravel tracks
with potholes and sharp corners. Those unfamiliar
with such conditions often find it difficult to drive on
Icelandic roads, especially gravel roads. Drivers are
advised to choose a vehicle which they are used to
driving and can handle easily. Many travellers who are
not used to driving jeeps find them difficult to handle
on Icelandic gravel roads.
Slow down and use caution when driving across
them.
Many Icelandic roads are raised on
embankments against winter snows. Therefore,
roll-over accidents often occur when drivers lose
control of their vehicles and drive off the road.
Such accidents can be very serious, especially
when seat belts are not used.
In the summertime, there is sunlight 24 hours a
day. Drivers need to be aware of this and not
drive for too long, as they might otherwise fall
asleep behind the wheel.

Slow down when you meet other vehicles,
especially when driving on a gravel road.
Where the road changes from a paved road to a
gravel road, you need to slow down
considerably. Many serious accidents occur every
year at such places, especially among drivers
who are unfamiliar with such road conditions,
lose control of their vehicle and drive off the
road.
The speed limit in urban areas is normally 50 km
per hour. Outside towns, it is 90 km, on paved
roads and 80 km on gravel roads. Always adjust
your speed to the driving conditions.
Domestic animals are often close to, or even on,
country roads. Drivers who hit animals may be
required to pay for the damage.
The use of hands-free kits is compulsory for
mobile phone use whilst driving.

Driving while intoxicated from drug or alcohol

use is prohibited.

Headlamps are required to be lit 24 hours a day

while the vehicle is in operation.

The use of front and back seat belts is

compulsory – they save lives.

Highland roads
Highland roads in Iceland are usually narrow gravel
roads, and most rivers are unbridged. On maps, they
are indicated with an F before the road number, with
most of these roads intended for jeeps only.
Highland roads are open only during the
summertime, weather and other circumstances
permitting. Information about opening dates can
be obtained by phoning 1777 or at www.road.is
Driving outside marked trails is prohibited and is
subject to nature conservation law.
Crossing rivers should be attempted only in four-
wheel-drive vehicles, such as jeeps. Ensure that
the four-wheel drive has been engaged before
driving into the water. Drive very slowly but
steadily in first gear and use the low range if
available.
Keep in mind that fords over glacial rivers keep
changing. On warm summer days, the flow
increases as the day progresses. Heavy rain
often causes rivers to swell, sometimes making
them uncrossable even for large and well-
equipped vehicles. Glacial rivers usually have less
water in the mornings.
Deaths have been caused by underestimating
the water volume in rivers. Before crossing a
glacial river, it is necessary to examine its
velocity, depth and bottom by wading into it. If
you find that you would be unwilling to wade
across the river on foot, you should not attempt
to drive across it. Seek advice from experienced
drivers and watch how and where they cross.
There is only one petrol station in the highlands
(at Hveravellir) that sells petrol and diesel. Keep
this in mind when driving in the highlands.
www.road.is
www.vedur.is
It is important to know the vehicle’s insurance
coverage before going on a trip in the highlands.
For example, rented vehicles are not insured for
damage that occurs while crossing rivers or lakes,
and the chassis is not insured. Also, you need
extra insurance for travelling in the highlands.
Accommodation is limited in the highlands, and
you need to make reservations with sufficient
notice if you don’t want to sleep in the vehicle or
in a tent.
Rangers operate at most major tourist centres in
the highlands. Their job is to receive travellers
and provide information. Travellers should obey
rangers’ instructions.
Geothermal areas
Geysers and hot springs are found in many parts of
Iceland. The water or mud discharging to the Earth’s
surface can be above the boiling point.
Always follow instructions around geysers. Do
not use your fingers to check the temperature of
water, steam or mud.
Be careful where you step. The ground around
geysers is often covered with a thin crust which
can break through if stepped on, sometimes
causing burn injuries. Therefore, always keep to
footpaths where they are to be found.
 112
The Emergency Number in Iceland is 112.

Hiking and mountaineering

Choose your route carefully and inform someone about On snowmobile tours, always follow the guide’s
your planned trip. Marked trails are the safest option for instructions and follow his tracks. Helmets are
hikers. obligatory.

It is necessary to know how to use a compass, a

map and a GPS unit for longer hikes.
Cycling and horseback riding tours
Proceed with caution along cliffs, rock faces and
riverbanks. Iceland does not offer much in the way of cycling
facilities, and has few designated cycling paths.
Icelandic rock is often loose. On hillsides, there is Therefore, use reflectors and other markings to make
often risk of rockfalls and avalanches. sure that you are clearly visible when cycling on the
country’s roads, always wear a helmet and beware of
stones thrown up by passing traffic.

Horseback riders should always use bridleways where

they exist and exercise special care and consideration
when passing walkers or moving vehicles. A helmet is
an important safety accessory, and you should always
use one when on horseback. Drivers must also show
consideration to horseback riders by slowing down and
Glacier trips using extra caution where bridleways cross the road.

Nobody should set off on a trip onto a glacier without

mountaineering experience and the necessary
equipment. Organised tours with experienced mountain
guides are the safest option.

Ice on glacier tongues can be extremely slippery.

Walking on glacier tongues is dangerous without
crampons and other glacier-climbing gear. The ice
caves and vertical glacier walls of glacier tongues
are unsteady, and blocks of ice can fall without
warning. Therefore, it is inadvisable to enter ice
caves or to stand near steep walls of ice.

When walking on snow-covered glaciers, it is

necessary to use a rope and other safety
equipment, as crevasses lurk under the cover of
snow in many places. The crevasses can be very
deep and wide.
 Difficult road. Negotiable
only by jeeps, i.e.
Dangerous bend Dangerous bend Dangerous bend vehicles which are higher
to right to left first to right than ordinary private Destinations ahead (b)
cars and have 4-wheel with distances outside
drive. capital area

Dangerous bend from the right from the left Unbridged

End of tarred road river
first to left

Newly-laid Blind rise

road surface

Two-way Loose stones Road narrows

traffic on both sides

Single-width
Accident risk area surface

Roadworks Uneven road Speed reduction

bump Route direction
without road number
Single-width bridge

Risk of falling Slippery road Other danger

rocks or Destinations ahead (b)
avalanche from left Destinations ahead with distances outside
and map (b) capital area
outside capital area
 First-Aid post Clinic Police Pharmacy Library Emergency Emergency Fire Tourist Information
shelter telephone extinguisher information office
or radio

Public Public Thunderbox Waste tank Aquarium Town centre Industrial area Place Starting Lay-by
telephone lavatory toilet discharge of interest point for
walks

Viewpoint Viewpoint with Rubbish Rubbish Domestic Radio Petrol station Car repair Tyre repairs Car hire
information dial bin container animal park garage

Cafeteria Restaurant Refreshments Hotel Dog hotel Sleeping-bag Youth hostel Holiday Refuge hut Camping site
in private accommodation cottage for hire
home

Caravan Cooking Shower Hot-pot Veterinary Washing Meeting Swimming Sports Sports field
park facilities surgeon pool
machine facilities centre

Horse hire Angling Sea angling Whale-watching Car ferry Ski-lift Chair ski-lift Cross-country Snowcat trips Golf course
permits skiing area

Snow- Water- Bicycles Boats Boat trips Water skiing River rafting Church Graveyard Bank
scooters scooters for hire for hire
for hire for hire

Automatic Post office Tourist shop Supermarket Airport Bakery Sales kiosk Handicrafts Greenhouse Art gallery
teller machine

Service signs
 Fljótaví Hornbjarg Hraunhafnartangi
k Grímsey
85
Aða
lvík Raufarhöfn
Hornstrandir Melrakka-
r slétta Fontur

Ís
ðu

a
r
rfjö

fja
85
ja

rð

es
rðir k
Jökulfi ey Þistilfjörður

ar

an
dj
R

ng
Kópasker

úp
Mánáreyjar

La
630
BOLUNGARVÍK 869

Dr
Ön Suðureyri
Iceland interior un Öxarfjörður Þórshöfn

an
61
da Hnífsdalur Öxarfjarðar-
rfjö

ga
85 85 85
Hocland rð u 65 ÍSAFJÖRÐUR heiði Brekkna-

j ök
r Flatey 867 heiði
Æðey635 Skagatá Tjörnes

Ey
Flateyri SIGLUFJÖRÐUR

ull
Régions montagneuses de L´intérieur 64
60 Súðavík ður Bakkaflói

jafjö
625
fjör 76
Dý Ögur ður
de L´Islande ra Nor ÓLAFSFJÖRÐUR Skjálfandi
85

rðu
Bakkafjörður

Ska
fjö 624 Gemlufells- 635 F839 85
rð 61 643 802 HÚSAVÍK

r
ur heiði Skagaheiði 91

gafj
61 Gjögur Málmey 82 82 Hrísey F899 85
Ásbyrgi
622 Sandvíkur-

örð
Þingeyri 633 Reykjanes DALVÍK 862
745 Drangey Árskógssandur Grenivík Reykja- heiði

ur
Ar Hrafnseyrar- 61 643 87 Hljóðaklettar
na Lág- heiði
Main roads heiði
633
HÚNAFLÓI Hauganes 851 ur

Laxá
rfjö 61 Laufás 913
Hofsós heiði Þeistareykja- 864
rð
rð Gláma 745 805 Hjalteyri bunga 85 fjö
931
Landstraße 619
ur Hrafnseyri Eyrar-
fjall F66
Steingríms- Skagaströnd 748
76
82
83
835 Dettifoss p na
Grenjaðarstaður Vo Hellis-
Dynjandis- fjarðarheiði 807 85
643 914
Routes nationales Bíldudalur
617
heiði Kollafjarðar-
Hólmavík 645
74 744
Þverár- Möðruvellir
812
1
845 856
Eilífur
Vopnafjörður heiði H
Hálfdán 60 Þingmanna- heiði SAUÐÁRKRÓKUR 75 767 jökull 816 917
ér
Tálknafjörður 608 Hólar 815 Svalbarðseyri Krafla F862 a ðs
heiði Steingr Drangsnes F746 765 1
Patreksfjörður 63
Þorskafjarðar- 741 742 1
Laugar 915 919 917 fl ói
63 ím AKUREYRI

l
sfjörður 764 87

Da
Fljótsheiði
Breiðavík 612 60 heiði 61 Húna- BLÖNDUÓS 836 85

l
Skálmarfjör
Goðafoss

l
Tungna-

Héraðsv
Main mountain roads Reykjahlíð

fjö
612 Kleifa- 62 75

á
Tröllatungu- fjörður hryggs- 1 Vatns-

jör
lur
76 Grímsstaðir

lsá
Látra heiði 609 60 heiði 731 848 94

Va
614 1 752 skarð

nes

Sm
Verbindungsstraße jökull

da

ku
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sa auð

tn
Kerling Mývatn
F910

Jö
na
605 711 Varmahlíð

sf
94

ötn
62 heiði

s
nd a- nd
60 Hrafnagil 926 Bakkagerði

jö
731
Principales routes de montagne Hóp 724 1

Öx
Vatn
aströ Skútustaðir
711
ur 690 Vatnsskarð

rð
Barð 607

ðu
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1 Öxnadals- 821 843 85 925
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Reykhólar 726 1

r
717

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602
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732

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734 752 1 1 925
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tns
733 F88 1 Eiðar
Mountain roads önd
60 Mælifells- Möðrudalur

va
dalur

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72
str hnjúkur 821
rðs
759

i
Mý

eið
1 35 94
Verbindungsstraße BREIÐAFJÖRÐUR Ska590 702
Laugarbakki 758 902
Fellabær Dalatangi

lsh
llum
Svína

r
F756

alu
1 EGILSSTAÐIR 93 SEYÐISFJÖRÐUR

lda
61
Routes de montagne Laxárdals-
704 752

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uld
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92

un
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heiði 931

st
Mjóif

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STYKKISHÓLMUR Brokey Hva önd

sá

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luh

jó
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rðarleið

Fl
mmsfjö F752 F821 Brú

Ey
Hallormsstaður

Sk
eið
rður Stóra-Vatnshorn ESKIFJÖRÐUR

lsá
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58 54 586 F88 931 954

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F586

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ah
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ale
fjörður 56 Hlíðarvatn Breiðdals-

eið
570

Kreppa
heiði Bratta- heiði Arnarvatnsheiði F26 á Fás

ið
55 F752 heiði Skrúður krú

fi
brekka r á

i
574 Snæfells- ðsfj
alu ls

ræ
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River/Ford jökull Búðir 54 54 Hítarvatn Baula rd F578 Hveravellir ku
1
ur
96

turö
567

Hálslón
939
Arnarstapi 1 rá Tvídægra Miklafell Fjórðungsvatn Trölladyngja Jö F902 Hvannalindir Stöðvarfjörður Stöð
568 ðu F735

Öxi
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Furt r

ar
No

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r
Breiðdalsvík rður

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V

bakk
Lóndrangar 539 Bifröst 525 Kjölur HOFSJÖKULL F910 Bre

an
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Gué 566 54

Be
Haffjörður 553 Hrauna- lsvík

gis
jökull Kistufell Dyngjujökull

Eyja
522 F909

ru
518 Strútur Tungnafells- 1
L veita

ren
Varmaland 523
L Brúarjö Þrándar-

fjö
540
Húsafell jökull kull
KU
50 518

r
Sp
Nýid jökull

ðu
535 519 Arnarfell

ítá
550 1
Djúpivogur
JÖ alu

r
1 hið mikla
Reykholt F347 F26 r Hofs-

Hv
35

r
NG
Kverkfjöll
Emergancy shetler

u
540 551

rð
53 r jökull Papey
LA Hvítárvatn

fjö
Ok Kerlingar- rve

lur
533 54 512 Bárðarbunga Lóns-
sá

fta
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da
BORGARNES Hvanneyri fjöll jór öræfi

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Þ

ldi
50 507 508 Reyðar- Þóris-

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Abri de secours

Ka
vatn jökull F336 1
FAXAFLÓI

ðu
52 Hágöngulón

ku
Skarðsheiði 520 550 Bláfell sá

jör
ór

lsá
1
Þj sl F980

arf
F338 kví VATNAJÖKULL

íL
Botns- Uxa- 35 a Stafafell

rg
F335 ald

ón
Hlöðufell F26

Bo
47
r heiði hryggir K Eystrahorn

ítá

i
ðu Skjald- Grímsvötn
Tourist hut 51
jör Hvalvatn breiður 1
vík

Hv
AKRANES alf 47 Botns- Kjalvötn ns
Hv Almanna- Ló
Schutzhütte 51

1
460 461
35
Geysir 48
Gullfoss
súlur 52 F337 Jökulheimar
Tungnaár-
Nesjahverfi skarð
Þórisvatn Vestrahorn
Refuge non gardé Grundarhverfi Þingvellir
Esja Skálafell 358 jökull
Skálafells- 1 94
HÖFN

l
37 F26 jökull

jöl
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REYKJAVÍK Laugarvatn 30 Stokksnes

juf
36
vatn 365 á F985

r
na

u
35

Es
al
SELTJARNARNES MOSFELLSBÆR Lyngdals- Veiðivötn un g

rd
Reykholt F26 F228

ór
37

sá
Garðskagi Bessastaðir 350 heiði T
KÓPAVOGUR

isj
Ferry Grænalón

ór
36 Sigöldu-
GarðurÁLFTANES Skálholt Flúðir Lan

ng
Síðujökull

Þj
32
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La
Laugarás

r
a

Hvítá
SANDGERÐI 45

ga
Fähre leið nna- F208

ur
Heið- 417 1 32 Búrfell jökull

nd
gí
420 FJÖRÐUR á
31 30
KEFLAVÍK mörk 35 r s

ka

sa
ll Hellis- HVERAGERÐI 324 jó F225
Bateau 41 32 Þ

La
ö 26
NJARÐVÍK Vogar 42 417 407 l á f j Árnes Skeiðarár- Skaftafell Öræfajökull 1 Jökulsárlón
B 39 heiði 1 Hekla

r-
Hafnir
44 jökull

ku
ngá Lóma- Hvannadals-

já
43 Keilir Kleifarvatn 38 SELFOSS 30 268
Landmannalaugar

dg
a

er
á
Heiðin há 286 R gnúpur hnúkur
i-

fus
286
Ytr

am
El
425 428 1
38 33

Skeiðar
Fjallabaksleið F206

Öl
42 Torfa-

ið
Krýsuvík 34 302

Núps
427 26 268
GRINDAVÍK

e
34
Road tunnel Þorlákshöfn syðri F210 jökull

Br
314 271 F208
Reykjanes Strandarkirkja Eyrarbakki 308 275 Mælifells- F233 Skeiðarársandur Fagurhólsmýri

vötn
Tunnel Stokkseyri 33 305 Hella 264

Ska
sandur

á
202

sá
25 1 264 Tindfjalla-

ór
F210

ftá
Tunnel Kirkjubæjarklaustur Ingólfshöfði

Þj
263 jökull
Þykkvibær Hvolsvöllur F210

lsá
252
261
F261 204

Hó
255 250 Þórsmörk 208 1
252
F249
MÝRDALS-

t
F232

arfljó
Fimmvörðu- Eldhraun
249 Eyjafjalla- háls JÖKULL
jökull Katla 204

Mark

Kúð
Skógafoss
F222 Mýrdals-

afljó
sandur

t
214 1
VESTMANNAEYJAR 1

Dyrhólaey
Vík
Hjörleifshöfði
Surtsey
Accidents happen when you least expect them
Be careful at all times

Vegagerdin
Borgartún 5-7
105 Reykjavík,
Phone: 522 1000
www.road.is

Umhverfisstofnun
Sudurlandsbraut 24
108 Reykjavík
Phone 591-2000
www.ust.is

Umferdarstofa
Borgartúni 30
105 Reykjavík
Phone: 580 2000
www.us.is

ICE-SAR Icelandic Association

For Search And Rescue
Skogarhlid 14
105 Reykjavik
Phone: 570 5900
www.landsbjorg.is