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Þórsmerkurvegur

extremeMin vehicle: super jeep only4WD required
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F-roadSouth Coast

Þórsmerkurvegur

South CoastextremeMin 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

Map

63.6833°N, 19.5167°W · South Coast

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
Good to know
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.

Tours near Þórsmerkurvegur

Eyjafjallajökull Hikefrom 65.990 ISK · 8 h 30 minSolheimajokull Glacier Guided Hiking Small Group Tourfrom 12.299 ISK · 3 hSólheimajökull Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Explorationfrom 22.999 ISK · 4 h 30 minGlacier Explorationfrom 20.999 ISK · 5 h 30 minKayaking by the Glacier - Solheimajokullfrom 19.999 ISK · 2 h 30 minSolheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hikefrom 31.381 ISK · 4 hGlacier Hiking Tour - Icelandic Local Guidefrom 38.900 ISK · 10 hThe Zip Line + Glacier Hike Adventurefrom 45.000 ISK · 4 hGlacier Hike & Horse Riding in South Icelandfrom 25.990 ISK · 6 h
All 1,648 tours
ToursIn season nowSolheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hikefrom 31.381 ISK · 4 hEarly Bird Ice Cavefrom 25.000 ISK · 3 h 30 minLaugarás Lagoon Birki - Premium Lagoonfrom 9.900 ISK · 2 hAll 1,648 toursBy activity and region

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 3 min ago

F-roadStatus nowVegagerðin's wording
F249 ÞórsmerkurvegurOpen to 4x4sFært fjallabílum

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

Þórsmerkurvegur weather and conditions

Last updated

4°Clight drizzle · feels -1°C7 m/sgusts 139 h 54 mdaylight · 08:07 – 18:00
In season now · Winter in IcelandSolheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hikefrom 31.381 ISK · 4 h
See the tour
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Cars & campers

−12%exclusive discountFree cancellationKEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Dacia Duster 4x4
SUV

Dacia Duster 4x4

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

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol/diesel
Seats5
Drive4WD
From
5,355 kr6,300 kr/day
Reserve −12%
VW Caravelle
9-seater

VW Caravelle

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

TransmissionAutomatic
FuelDiesel
Seats9
Drive2WD
From
12,750 kr15,000 kr/day
Reserve −12%
Key Camper Wild Duo
Camper

Key Camper Wild Duo

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

TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol
Sleeps2
Drive4WD
From
5,304 kr6,240 kr/day
Reserve −12%

Photos & videos

Þórsmerkurvegur — photo by Space Butler · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0Photo: Space Butler · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
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)Ervin Drives Around
Þórsmerkurvegur F249 Iceland River crossingVersLeMonde
F249 Thorsmork and river crossings 4KEpic Iceland
Iceland - F249 road tripBeardman
Iceland 2013 F249 roadambergplaylist

Nearby

km column = your drive

  1. 1Lakavegur8 km
  2. 2Lakagígavegur10 km
  3. 3Fjallabaksleið syðri16 km
  4. 4Eldgjárvegur21 km
  5. 5Landmannalaugavegur27 km
All f-roads in South Coast →

Waterfalls

  1. 1Stakkholtsgjá2 km
  2. 2Stigafoss11 km
  3. 3Slæðufoss11 km
All waterfalls →

Hot springs

  1. 1Hot Spring Shower11 km
  2. 2Seljavallalaug14 km
  3. 3Geothermal hot spring near Rangárþing ytra35 km
All hot springs →

Fuel

  1. 1Hvolsvöllur36 km · 310.9 kr/L
  2. 2Vík í Mýrdal39 km · 309.9 kr/L
  3. 3Vestmannaeyjar46 km · 308.7 kr/L
All fuel →

Supermarkets

  1. 1Krónan36 km
  2. 2Bónus46 km
  3. 3Kjörbúðin47 km
All supermarkets →

Tours

  1. Adrenaline Combo: Off-Road Buggy & Mega Zipline Experiencefrom 29.300 ISK · 3 hours
  2. Buggy Adventure in Þórsmörkfrom 89.990 ISK · 5 hours
  3. Bus transfer from Landmannalaugar to Hella / Reykjavikfrom 12.220 ISK · 4 hours
All tours →

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.

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.

All f-roads18 F-roads in South Coast, mapped with photos, distances and live conditions
Iceland nowfrom 19 Sep 06:10
8°C · overcastWind 2 m/sRing Road (R1) openAurora Kp 2.67Daylight 07:02 – 19:39Webcams