The F208 mountain road
The F208 track, also known as Fjallabaksleið Nyrðri, is one of the most iconic routes in Iceland. It crosses spectacular landscapes ranging from lava fields to rhyolite mountains and stretches of black sand desert.
The F208 in Iceland is no ordinary road — it's a legendary track, and driving the F208 is a truly immersive experience in the Icelandic Highlands.
- The F208 Track
- The Northern F208 between Sigalda and Landmannalaugar
- The Southern F208 from Vik to Landmannalaugar
- Accessibility of the F208
- Where to Stay Near the F208
The F208 Track
Primarily known as the track leading to the incredible region of Landmannalaugar, the F208 is one of the most beautiful routes in Iceland.
It is a mountain road classified as an "F" road (for fjallvegur, meaning mountain road), which means it is only accessible by 4x4 vehicles. It stretches for about 100 km, running from Route 1 between Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Vík up to Hrauneyjar in the central highlands.
Open exclusively during the summer season (usually from late June to early September), it offers a unique driving experience through the heart of the Icelandic Highlands. The track is divided into two sections: the northern part, which is more accessible, and the southern part, which is wilder and more technically demanding.
To be more precise, Route 208 begins at the junction with Route 26 in the north, near Hrauneyjar. For about 25 kilometers heading toward Landmannalaugar, it remains a regular gravel road, not classified as an F-road. It only becomes an F-road (F208) shortly before reaching Landmannalaugar, and remains so all the way to the south.
You should plan for at least 3 hours of driving to cover the 100 kilometers of the 208 between the northern and southern ends.
The Northern F208 between Sigalda and Landmannalaugar
Frostastaðavatn along the F208 approaching Landmannalaugar
Starting from the north at the junction with Route 26, the road remains paved for quite a while, up to Lake Krókslón near the Sigöldustöð hydroelectric station. At that point, the road turns into a gravel track but is still accessible to regular vehicles.
The northern section of Route 208 is not difficult and features no river crossings or challenging segments.
After a few kilometers, you pass near the Valley of Tears: the Sigöldugljúfur canyon. Around ten kilometers further, the scenery changes dramatically, and so does the road — becoming sandier and black in color. You are now entering the Fjallabak region.
Often, the track is very bumpy and gives drivers the sensation of riding over tiles. As you approach Landmannalaugar, the landscape becomes truly spectacular, with striking contrasts.
The black color of the track sharply contrasts with the vibrant green moss covering the mountain slopes along Route 208. You’ll pass several scenic viewpoints that are well worth a stop:
- Hnausapollur
- Ljótipollur
- Frostastaðavatn
- Stútur crater
Just after the small crater, you’ll have the option to turn off onto the F224 to reach the Landmannalaugar campsite, or to continue along the F208 heading south.
The Southern F208 from Vik to Landmannalaugar
The southern part of the F208 is more challenging than the northern section. Some stretches are more technical, and there are about ten river crossings in total — most of which are fairly easy to manage.
That said, this is undoubtedly the most spectacular portion of the F208, offering breathtaking landscapes throughout the journey.
The track therefore begins in the north near the Landmannalaugar campsite, at the junction with the F224, and continues for just over 70 kilometers until it reaches Route 1 in the south. It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the drive.
The road is mostly dirt, with few rocky sections along the way. You'll need to cross around eight rivers between the Landmannalaugar campsite and the junction with the F235, which leads to the stunning Langisjór. These crossings are generally easy, shallow, and rarely deeper than 30 cm.
One of the many river crossings on the southern F208
Most rental 4x4s and SUVs will have no trouble driving the F208. Only one crossing is a bit more challenging: it’s one of the two river fords on the final stretch between the F235 junction and Route 1, near Eldgjá. This crossing is more intimidating because it’s longer and slightly deeper than the others.
That said, it can still be managed with a standard rental SUV such as a Dacia Duster — as long as you carefully follow the path marked by the small orange guideposts (see below).
Accessibility of the F208
The F208 is only accessible in the summer, unless you're on an organized excursion. It is typically open from late June to early September, but this depends on weather conditions and the melting of the snow.
Before setting off, it’s essential to check the websites road.is (for road conditions) and safetravel.is (for safety tips).
River crossings are one of the main obstacles. It is crucial to know how to navigate them: assess the depth, observe other vehicles, and cross slowly without stopping.
Organized excursions
Many visitors prefer organized excursions to Landmannalaugar to avoid dealing with transport issues and to be able to visit outside the summer period. Here are a few examples:
- Day trip all year round to Landmannalaugar
- Landmannalaugar and Hekla Superjeep Day Trip
- Landmannalaugar Superjeep Day Trip
Where to Stay Near the F208
Known throughout the country, the Landmannalaugar campsite is the only accommodation available on site.
There are limited accommodations options in this area, in fact only 2! One on the road north on the 208, the other heading to Eldgja on the F208.
The nearest village, in this case Hrauneyar in the north, has a hotel called the Highland Center. It is an hour's drive north on the 208. Due to it's excellent reputation, this hotel is quickly full in summer and it is often necessary to book well in advance. Also, as it is perfectly located and there are very few accommodations in the area, it is rather expensive.
Further south, the other alternative is the Hólaskjól Cabin near Edlgja (7 km). It is ideally located for travelers who want to continue their adventure heading south on the F208 via Langisjor and the Eldgja fault. The cabins are very well maintained and the establishment is renowned in the region.
