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Sprengisandsleið

Highlands, Iceland200 kmhard4WD required
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Sprengisandsleið 3D terrain renderImagery courtesy of Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics, and the GIS User Community.

Sprengisandsleið

Highlands, Iceland200 kmhard4WD required

About

The longest highland road. 200km through Iceland's empty middle. No gas, no shops, no nothing.

This road takes something from you. 6 hours of nothing but you and the desert. Most people turn back. Finishing it feels like an achievement.

The name means 'exhausted horses road.' Back in the day, horses died trying to cross this. People thought ghosts lived here. Honestly, it still feels haunted.

Your car drinks twice as much fuel on soft sand. Cross rivers before 10am when water's lowest. Stop at Nýidalur and ask rangers about conditions - they know.

Driving conditions
Road conditions
Check live
Road · From Reykjavík to the foss
Drive: Good
Visit now
30 min stop
Ring Road 1Checking…
F-roadsOpen
ClosuresChecking…
Wind
Visibility
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Prices
Cost to visit
Free
No fees
Entry: Free
Parking: Free
No booking
Entry feeFree
ParkingFree
BookingNot needed
Getting thereCar recommended
Forecast
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Northern lights
Tonight
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Sun & light
Today
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Sunrise
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Photos & videos

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Frequently
asked
questions

Can I drive F26 in a 2WD car?
No. F26 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 F26 open?
F26 typically opens Late June and closes Early September. Always confirm on road.is before you drive — dates shift year to year with the weather.
How do I get to F26?
F26 (Sprengisandsleið) is located in Highlands. 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 F26?
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.