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F-roadSouth Coast

Þórsmerkurvegur

South Coast, IcelandextremeMin vehicle: super jeep only4WD required

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F-roadSouth Coast

Þórsmerkurvegur

South Coast, IcelandextremeMin vehicle: super jeep only4WD required

About

The road to Þórsmörk valley. Multiple rivers. The last one (Krossá) destroys cars regularly.

The river crossings here have broken people. Financially, mechanically, emotionally. The valley is amazing but the price is real. Bus is smart, not weak.

Named after Thor. Vikings found actual forests here when the rest of Iceland was bare. The valley is protected by mountains, so ash from eruptions misses it.

Take the bus. Seriously. Rental insurance doesn't cover Krossá river. If you MUST drive, follow a super jeep convoy and copy their exact line through the water. Even then...

Why go

Þórsmörk is stunning. Green valley between glaciers. Amazing hiking. But honest opinion? Take the bus.

Photo tips

Glacier tongues need overcast days. The river braids look best from above. Green against ice is Iceland's best color combo.

Wildlife

Densest birch forests in Iceland. Redwings and wrens breed here. Arctic char fighting through the rivers.

AI assistant

Plan your visit to Þórsmerkurvegur

Build an itinerary — full days, multi-stop routes, drive times, alternatives.

Map of Þórsmerkurvegur

Þórsmerkurvegur is on Iceland's South Coast at 63.6833°N, 19.5167°W. The interactive map has the exact pin, parking and everything around it.

Open Þórsmerkurvegur on the interactive map →

Plan your visit

Getting there: Road F249 (Jökult-Langidalur)
Off the main road: 17.2 km from Route 1
Nearest town: Hvolsvöllur — 36.1 km away
Distance from Reykjavík: 129 km in a straight line
What else is close: 455 mapped places within 20 km

Reached on an F-road. Icelandic law requires a 4WD vehicle on F-roads, and they open only for the summer season — check the current status before setting out.

Is F249 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 · Vegagerðin, updated 23 h ago

F-road	Status now	Vegagerðin's wording
F249 Þórsmerkurvegur	Open to 4x4s	Fært fjallabílum

F249 typically opens Mid June and closes September — always confirm on road.is before you drive.

Þórsmerkurvegur weather and conditions

At Þórsmerkurvegur in South Coast, conditions as of 31 August 2026, 21:45 (Iceland time): 8°C (feels like 5°C), mostly clear, wind 3 m/s gusting to 6 m/s. Daylight today: 14 h 38 m (sunrise 05:59, sunset 20:37). Check road status before driving on live road conditions.

Data verified 31 August 2026, 21:45· source: Open-Meteo at this location’s coordinates · refreshes hourly

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Visit now · Open year-round · 30 min stop · Visibility —

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South Coast Reykjavík West North East Westfjords Reykjanes Highlands

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Cars & campers

−12%exclusive discountFree cancellation

KEF airport pickup 24/74.8

SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.

VW Caravelle

Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.

TransmissionAutomatic

12,750 kr15,000 kr/day

Reserve −12%

Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.

Tours near Þórsmerkurvegur

Free cancellation

Small groups

Iceland tour

Adrenaline Combo: Off-Road Buggy & Mega Zipline Experience

The Buggy Iceland and Mega Zipline Combo Tour offers an exhilarating adventure for thrill-seekers exploring Iceland.

Duration3 hours

HighlightsSouth Iceland

Buggy Adventure-Þórsmörk

"Þórsmörk has a spot in every Icelander's heart.

Duration5 hours

HighlightsSouth Iceland

Bus transfer from Landmannalaugar to Hella / Reykjavik

Our transfer service offers a comfortable and safe way to travel from the heart of Iceland's highlands, Landmannalaugar, to the…

Duration4 hours

HighlightsSouth Iceland

Photos & videos

Photo: Space Butler · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0

Iceland Super Jeep Dangerous River Crossing Road F249 Þórsmörk FAIL or WIN ? Toyota Landcruiser 4X4 — Þórsmerkurvegur — video poster — Iceland Super Jeep Dangerous River Crossing Road F249 Þórsmörk FAIL or WIN ? Toyota Landcruiser 4X4Puzzles of the World

F-roads of Iceland: F249 (Þórsmerkurvegur) (24.07 & 25.07.2020) — Þórsmerkurvegur — video poster — F-roads of Iceland: F249 (Þórsmerkurvegur) (24.07 & 25.07.2020)Ervin Drives Around

Þórsmerkurvegur F249 Iceland River crossing — Þórsmerkurvegur — video poster — Þórsmerkurvegur F249 Iceland River crossingVersLeMonde

F249 Thorsmork and river crossings 4K — Þórsmerkurvegur — video poster — F249 Thorsmork and river crossings 4KEpic Iceland

Iceland - F249 road trip — Þórsmerkurvegur — video poster — Iceland - F249 road tripBeardman

Iceland 2013 F249 road — Þórsmerkurvegur — video poster — Iceland 2013 F249 roadambergplaylist

Reviews

Frequently
asked
questions

What car do I need for F249?

F249 is rated "super jeep only" — a modified super jeep with raised suspension, not a regular rental 4x4. Don't attempt it in a standard SUV; join a guided super-jeep tour instead.

Can I drive F249 in a 2WD car?

No. F249 legally requires 4WD, like every F-road in Iceland. Driving it in a 2WD car is illegal and voids your rental insurance if anything goes wrong.

When does F249 open?

F249 typically opens Mid June and closes September. Always confirm on road.is before you drive — dates shift year to year with the weather.

How do I get to F249?

F249 (Þórsmerkurvegur) is located in South Coast. Check live road status on road.is before you drive — F-roads close without warning after rain or early snow.

Is river-crossing damage covered by rental insurance on F249?

No. River-crossing damage is excluded from every rental insurance policy in Iceland, even full-coverage plans. Cross only where locals or rangers confirm it’s safe.

Nearby

km column = your drive

Waterfalls

#1.Stakkholtsgjá

1.8 km·~2 min drive

A waterfall in South Coast.

#2.Stigafoss

11 km·~13 min drive

A waterfall in Iceland.

#3.Slæðufoss

11 km·~13 min drive

A waterfall in South Coast.

#4.Neðstifoss

12 km·~15 min drive

A waterfall in South Coast.

4 waterfalls near South Coast

Hot Springs

#1.Hot Spring Shower

11 km·~13 min drive

Geothermal spot

#2.Seljavallalaug

14 km·~17 min drive

Historic 1923 pool in valley near Seljalandsfoss. Free, 15-min walk, unmaintained. Bring…

#3.Geothermal hot spring near Rangárþing ytra

35 km·~42 min drive

Natural hot spring

#4.Strútslaug

35 km·~42 min drive

Pool hot spring

4 hot springs near South Coast

Campsites

#1.Þórsmörk Langidalur

250 m

Icelandic campsite offering basic facilities for travelers exploring the area. Weather…

#2.Camping Volcano Huts

1.5 km·~2 min drive

Icelandic campsite offering basic facilities for travelers exploring the area. Campfires…

#3.Brúðkaupflöt

1.8 km·~2 min drive

Icelandic campsite offering basic facilities for travelers exploring the area. Campfires…

#4.Bjargaflöt

1.8 km·~2 min drive

Icelandic campsite offering basic facilities for travelers exploring the area. Iceland's…

4 campsites near South Coast

F-Roads

4 f-roads near South Coast

Supermarkets

#1.Krónan

36 km·~43 min drive

Krónan supermarket — supplies

#2.Bónus

46 km·~55 min drive

Bónus supermarket — supplies

#3.Kjörbúðin

47 km·~56 min drive

Supermarket — supplies

#4.Krambúð

63 km·~76 min drive

Krambúð supermarket — supplies

4 supermarkets near South Coast

Gas stations

#1.Hvolsvöllur

36 km·~43 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#2.Vík í Mýrdal

39 km·~47 min drive

N1 · 309.9 kr/L petrol

#3.Vestmannaeyjar

46 km·~55 min drive

ÓB · 308.7 kr/L petrol

#4.Hella

46 km·~55 min drive

Orkan · 308.6 kr/L petrol

4 gas stations near South Coast

Tours

#1.Adrenaline Combo: Off-Road Buggy & Mega Zipline Experience

3 hours

The Buggy Iceland and Mega Zipline Combo Tour offers an exhilarating adventure for thrill-seekers exploring Iceland.

from 29.300 ISKView tour →

#2.Buggy Adventure-Þórsmörk

5 hours

"Þórsmörk has a spot in every Icelander's heart.

from 89.990 ISKView tour →

#3.Bus transfer from Landmannalaugar to Hella / Reykjavik

4 hours

Our transfer service offers a comfortable and safe way to travel from the heart of Iceland's highlands, Landmannalaugar, to the…

from 12.220 ISKView tour →

3 tours near South Coast

Data & sources

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

Wikimedia CommonsHero & gallery photography · Space Butler · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
VegagerðinVisitor access & practical facts
VegagerðinLive road status & cameras · Icelandic Road Administration
Open-MeteoWeather forecast · CC BY 4.0
NOAA SWPCAurora (planetary Kp) forecast · public domain
OpenStreetMapInteractive-map data · ODbL
Esri, Maxar & Earthstar GeographicsSatellite imagery for the 3D terrain render · GIS User Community