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Öldufellsleið

mediumMin vehicle: medium 4x44WD required
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F-roadSouth Coast

Öldufellsleið

South CoastmediumMin vehicle: medium 4x44WD required

About

A short South Coast connector off F210. The defining feature is a ford where the road crosses a river directly beneath a waterfall — you drive through moving water, not around it.

Quiet compared to the main Fjallabak routes nearby. Traffic is light, and there's no facility at the crossing — you're assessing conditions yourself when you arrive.

Farmers used this crossing as a working route for generations, taking horses and carts through the same ford still used today. It's one of the few F-roads where the river crossing itself, not the scenery beyond it, is the reason people come.

Approach the crossing slowly and keep moving — don't stop mid-crossing, the riverbed is rock and can be slippery. The right side of the ford is shallower on record, but water levels shift with rain and glacier melt, so treat that as a starting point, not a guarantee. If the water looks high, wait or turn back.

Why go

Driving through a waterfall is cool. That's it. That's the reason. Also glacier views after.

Photo tips

The crossing is Instagram gold. Shoot from downstream for the classic angle. Drones need permits in protected areas.

Wildlife

Harlequin ducks in the rivers - one of few places in Europe. Arctic terns will dive-bomb you near the water. They're not playing.

Map of Öldufellsleið

Map

63.7333°N, 18.9500°W · South Coast

Plan your visit

Off the main road
27.6 km from Route 1
Distance from Reykjavík
153 km in a straight line
What else is close
106 mapped places within 20 km

Is F232 open right now?

Live from Vegagerðin, the authority that opens and closes this road. Every other highland road is on the live F-road map.

1 highland road reported · 1 not reported · Vegagerðin, updated 2 min ago

F-roadStatus nowVegagerðin's wording
F232 ÖldufellsleiðNot reportedÓþekkt

F232 typically opens Late July and closes Early September — always confirm on road.is before you drive.

Öldufellsleið weather and conditions

Last updated

1°Csnow · feels -7°C10 m/sgusts 159 h 53 mdaylight · 08:05 – 17:58
In season now · Winter in IcelandSolheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hikefrom 31.381 ISK · 4 hAll 1,648 tours

Photos & videos

River Crossing FAILURE on F232 in IcelandBaseDrifterAbroad
F232 Öldufellsleið, F-roads Iceland 4K (full drive)Epic Iceland
ens.ch : Öldufellsleið - F232 (near Mælifell), Icelandens4ch
Drive to Mælifell - Iceland's hidden gem! F232 #iceland #highlands #icelandadventureCellophane Dreams Creations
ens.ch : Bláfjallafoss crossing : Mælifell (F210) to Bláfjallafoss (F232), Icelandens4ch

Nearby

Fuel

  1. 1Vík í Mýrdal35 km · 309.9 kr/L
  2. 2Kirkjubæjarklaustur45 km · 310.9 kr/L
  3. 3Hrauneyjar54 km · 315.8 kr/L
All fuel →

Supermarkets

  1. 1Krónan35 km
  2. 2Gvendarkjör45 km
  3. 3Kjörbúðin72 km
All supermarkets →

Frequently
asked
questions

What car do I need for F232 (Öldufellsleið)?
At least a medium 4x4. It's rated medium difficulty, mainly because of the river crossing at the waterfall — a standard 2WD car cannot legally use this road and isn't built for the ford.
Can I drive F232 in a 2WD rental car?
No. F-roads are closed to 2WD vehicles by law, and rental insurance explicitly excludes F-road damage on 2WD cars.
When is F232 open?
On record, it opens late July and closes early September — one of the shorter seasons among Iceland's F-roads. Confirm this year's exact dates on road.is before you drive, since opening depends on snowmelt and can shift.
Is there a river crossing on F232?
Yes — the road crosses a river at a waterfall, and you drive through the water itself. Approach slowly, don't stop in the ford, and skip it if the water looks high.
What does F232 connect to?
F232 connects to F210 (Fjallabaksleið syðri), the route toward Mælifell. Plan your trip as part of that route rather than as a standalone drive.

Data & sources

Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.

Spotted an error, or have something to add? Help us keep this page accurate.