Ice and Snow in Iceland – slippery roads!!

Weather and conditions on the main roads:

Ice or spots of ice, even snow on most roads in Iceland. Typical change in temperature but freezing temperatures in the upcoming days: slippery roads! Limited visibility can be expected on mountain roads due to snow and winds. Increase wind expected tomorrow, Thursday in Eastern Iceland until Friday night. Issue areas will be where wind comes rushing down mountains and south of Vatnajökull glacier. No precipitation with this but visibility could still be limited due to blowing snow.

 

Tourists often mistake 4×4 for a vehicle that can take on all terrain, which is of course not the case and this must be explained as damages can cost thousands of dollars.

Drivers who get stuck in rivers or in snow have to get themselves out at own expense – there‘s no insurance in the world that covers damage linked to crossing a river. For this reason it’s important that tourists know where to gather information about conditions!Illegal to drive off-road!!

 

Conditions in the highlands:

Highland roads are now all closed/impassible for unmodified vehicles! It doesn’t take a lot of snow to make it difficult staying on these roads! It’s important to be properly equipped for winter – especially those heading for hikes and camping!

 

Conditions in popular tourist sites:

This time of the year the conditions vary a lot on the weather. Trails are now icy in most parts of Iceland, even on lowlands so we recommend bringing minor crampons along ALWAYS, regardless of location! These essentials shouldn’t cost more than 3.000-4.000 ISK and make all the difference when exploring Icelandic sites during winter.

 

Reykjanes: Ice on roads and trails expected throughout the week.  

Þingvellir: Trails are icy but they are sanded. Signs indicating slippery conditions where they don’t manage to sand. 

Geysir og Gullfoss: Spots of ice on the trail by Geysir even though they try to keep it slip-free. The lower trail towards Gullfoss is closed due to ice! Snow in both areas and ongoing snow expected during the week.

Hraunfossar og Deildartunguhver: Icy and snowy roads and trails – also on Grábrók (by Bifröst).   
Snæfellsjökull National Park: Spots of ice on most trails! Road over Jökulháls is closed (no. 570 and 571).
South Westfjords: Considerable amount of snow in the area including on roads and when winds are blowing or when snowing the visibility can be very limited. The road to Látrarbjarg and to Rauðisandur are very difficult! Dynjandisheiði mountain road is impassible/closed so those wanting to visit Dynjandi need to access it from the north (driving from Þingeyri). Not recommended for smaller vehicles!

Hvítserkur: Ice and snow on the road. 
Goðafoss: Trails are icy and slippery!  
Dettifoss og Selfoss: Snow is well trodden but can be slippery. Very icy from the steps to the viewpoint north of the waterfall and it doesn’t take a lot for it to become partially dangerous! Special caution needs to be shown by the edge!

Hengifoss: Trail is icy!
Reynisfjara: The beach can always be dangerous due to the unpredictability of the waves. It‘s not every wave – it‘s every 7th or 10th or 12th wave that goes a lot further up the beach than the rest making it difficult to assess danger upon arrival. There are no rocks in the ocean that break the waves and only a few meters of shore there‘s an underwater cliff so the pulling factor of these already powerful waves becomes even greater. On top of this the sand is very fine ash which makes it extra difficult to get away from these waves.
Same applies to Djúpalónssandur in Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Kirkjufjara beach but it‘s CLOSED for this reason.
Skógafoss: Icy steps that get more serious with elevation gain! 
Seljalandsfoss: Possibility of risky conditions with the frost this week. Spray from the waterfall can form thick layers of ice on the steps on each side! Cramp ons!!
Þórsmörk/Goðaland: Closed/impassible for those not in a modified vehicle! River levels are normal but experience needed to cross! 40-60 cm of snow over everything! Húsadalur will be staffed throughout the winter but all other huts are vacant. 
Vestmannaeyjar: Nothing unusual about conditions. Information on where the ferry sails to can be found on www.seatours.is (top of website). 
Landmannalaugar: Roads closed/impassible for those NOT in a modified vehicle! Area is now covered with over 1 meter of snow which is very soft and walking in the area you will sink at least knee deep (even when wearing snow shoes). Hiking trails in the area are not visible and markers are under snow. 

 

Conditions on hiking trails:

Hiking during winter time requires proper equipment even on shorter hikes. Please study our equipment list as preparation is key for successful travel in Iceland. Winter has arrived in most areas in Iceland so we recommend having minor crampons with you at all time.

 

Esjan: Must not be underestimated! Considerably colder up top than by the roots. Warm clothing is a must! Crampons highly recommended. Mountain crampons needed to go beyond Steinn as snow and ice are along that climb.

Skaftafell: Trails are now most icy – crampons and hiking poles highly recommended. S4 (Kristínartindar) not recommended without a guide or proper equipment. S3 (Skaftafellsheiði) is now slippery and under some snow so crampons and gaiters recommended! 
Reykjadalur: Ice and snow. When snowing it’s important to follow the trail as it lies among risky geothermal areas and crampons are recommended. 
Ásbyrgi: Rising levels of snow as you go further into Ásbyrgi – depths varying from ankle to mid-calf so gaiters recommended. Hidden ice in some parts.   
Glymur: Ice on the trail and snow levels rise with elevation gain. Log over the river Botnsá has been removed so now hikers must either cross the river on foot, go up on the west side (not a good angle to see the waterfall) or take a longer hike over the old bridge along the hiking route “Leggjabrjótur”.

Avalanche conditions:

Those heading into the backcountry have to keep the following in mind! 
Moderate danger (level 2/5) in northern Westfjords, Tröllaskagi Peninsula and in the Eastfjords. Little snow in the mountains. The thin snow is expected to be stable. Unstable snow should be expected in steep gullies.

 

Weather and road conditions: https://www.campericeland.is/en/information/actual-road-condition/