Skip to main content
Log inMap
All 1,648 toursBy activity and region

Emstruleið

mediumMin vehicle: medium 4x44WD required
Road loading…Weather loading…
Navigate
DirectionsNavigate
No photo of Emstruleið yet
Been here? Be the first to add a photo
F-roadSouth Coast

Emstruleið

South CoastmediumMin vehicle: medium 4x44WD required

About

The easier back door to Þórsmörk. One river, way less scary than F249.

All the reward, fraction of the risk. Smart choice.

If you want Þórsmörk but F249 scares you - this is your route. The crossing is nothing like Krossá.

AI assistant

Plan your visit to Emstruleið

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

Map of Emstruleið

Map

64.1000°N, 20.5667°W · South Coast

Plan your visit

Off the main road
2.2 km from Route 31
Nearest town
Laugarás — 3.7 km away
Distance from Reykjavík
67 km in a straight line
What else is close
142 mapped places within 20 km

Tours near Emstruleið

Laugarás Lagoon Birki - Premium Lagoonfrom 9.900 ISK · 2 hLaugarás Lagoon Lerki - Premium Lagoon with a towel and a drinkfrom 12.400 ISK · 2 hLaugarás Lagoon Ösp - Premium Lagoon and 2 course meal at Ylja Restaurantfrom 18.900 ISK · 3 h 30 minFamily Raftingfrom 34.900 ISK · 4 hSecret Lagoon Admissionfrom 4.500 ISK · 1 h 30 minRye Bread Tour (Geothermal bakery)from 3.500 ISK · 30 minFontana - Classic Admissionfrom 7.490 ISK · 2 hKerið Admissionfrom 600 ISK · 1 hStandard Cave Tourfrom 2.000 ISK · 25 min
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 F261 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 3 min ago

F-roadStatus nowVegagerðin's wording
F261 EmstruleiðNot reportedÓþekkt

F261 typically opens late June–early July and closes by September–October — always confirm on road.is before you drive.

Emstruleið weather and conditions

Last updated

5°Covercast · feels 1°C4 m/swind9 h 51 mdaylight · 08:12 – 18:03
In season now · Winter in IcelandSolheimajokull Ice Climbing & Glacier Hikefrom 31.381 ISK · 4 h
See the tour
All 1,648 tours

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

F261 most beautiful part, F-roads Iceland (4K)Epic Iceland
F261 road Iceland + river crossings 4K (full drive)Epic Iceland
F261 Emstruleið frá Hvanngili - Road F261 In Iceland, 4K videoGisli R iceland
Iceland F-Roads: F261 (2022, no sound, dashcam)Roadtrip Onky Monk
ISLANDE – HIGHLANDS du sud en solo (F210, F232, F261, Thórsmörk) Épisode 1HORS-PISTE

Nearby

km column = your drive

  1. 1Hagavatnsvegur36 km
  2. 2Hlöðuvallavegur42 km
  3. 3Haukadalsvegur45 km
  4. 4Skjaldbreiðarvegur45 km
  5. 5Landmannaleið50 km
All f-roads in South Coast →

Waterfalls

  1. 1Árnesflúðir12 km
  2. 2Krókadælarflúð12 km
  3. 3Hestafoss15 km
All waterfalls →

Hot springs

  1. 1Natural hot pot near Hrunamannahreppur5 km
  2. 2Natural hot pot near Grímsnes- og Grafningshreppur5 km
  3. 3Geothermal hot spring near Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppur9 km
All hot springs →

Fuel

  1. 1Minni Borg10 km · 308.7 kr/L
  2. 2Brautarhóll10 km · 310.9 kr/L
  3. 3Flúðir12 km · 310.9 kr/L
All fuel →

Supermarkets

  1. 1Krambúð12 km
  2. 2Krambúðin15 km
  3. 3Hagkaup Sérvara27 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 F261?
The minimum vehicle for F261 is "medium 4x4". A proper 4WD like the Dacia Duster or Suzuki Vitara covers "any 4x4" roads; pick something larger for "medium 4x4" routes. The rental section below has live prices — the code MAP gives 12% off.
Can I drive F261 in a 2WD car?
No. F261 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 F261 open?
Most highland F-roads open mid-June to early July and close by September or October. Check road.is before you drive.
How do I get to F261?
F261 (Emstruleið) 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 F261?
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