Iceland Trip

Iceland F-roads

F249 Þórsmörk road (Þórsmerkurvegur)

Partly open

Road notes by · Iceland Lead & Content Curator· Updated

F249 Þórsmerkurvegur is the 30 km road into Þórsmörk from Route 1 near Seljalandsfoss, under the Eyjafjallajökull ice cap past Gígjökull and the Stakkholtsgjá canyon. It is the most-driven and most-misjudged F-road in Iceland: a high-clearance 4x4 can reach Básar in settled weather, but the Krossá, the glacial river before the Þórsmörk huts, is for modified super-jeeps only and no rental insurance covers water. It opens in June and most travelers go by the highland bus or a Superjeep tour.

Key facts

Connects
Route 1 at Seljalandsfoss (via Route 249) to Básar and Þórsmörk
Length
30 km, about 1.5 to 2 hours each way, more at the fords in good conditions
Opens
June (highly weather-dependent)
Closes
September to October
Rivers
Yes. Water tier 4: large and unpredictable water crossings
Car
Modified super jeep, a highland bus or a tour; not a rental 4x4
Region
South (off Route 1 near Seljalandsfoss)
Schematic map of F249 Þórsmörk road (Þórsmerkurvegur): Route 1 at Seljalandsfoss (via Route 249) to Básar and Þórsmörk
Where F249 runs and what it connects. Schematic, not for navigation.

Status today

Partially open — some sections passable, others closed

  • Stóra-Mörk – NauthúsagilClosed
  • að SeljalandsfossiOpen
  • Seljalandsfoss – MerkurvegurClosed
  • Merkurvegur – Stóra-MörkClosed
  • Nauthúsagil – JökultungurClosed
  • Jökultungur – BásarClosed

Source: umferdin.is (Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration), as of 29 Oct 2026, 09:51. Re-check road.is on the morning you drive.

The facts

F249 at a glance
FactValue
ConnectsRoute 1 at Seljalandsfoss (via Route 249) to Básar and Þórsmörk
RegionSouth (off Route 1 near Seljalandsfoss)
Length of the F-road sectionabout 30 km
Driving time1.5 to 2 hours each way, more at the fords
Status nowPartially open — some sections passable, others closed
Typical openingJune (highly weather-dependent)
Typical closingSeptember to October
Difficultyextreme
4x4 requiredYes, by law
River crossingsYes · water tier 4
Car that fitsModified super-jeeps only — 35-inch+ tyres, snorkel, and an experienced driver.
F249 at a glance. Live status from umferdin.is as of 29 Oct 2026, 09:51, refreshed every 30 minutes.

Reaches: Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi at the junction · Gígjökull glacier tongue · Stakkholtsgjá canyon · Básar, Langidalur and the Valahnúkur hike

The road

Route 249 leaves the Ring Road at Seljalandsfoss as gravel and becomes F249 a few kilometres in. It follows the Markarfljót valley with Eyjafjallajökull above, passes the lagoon at Gígjökull where the 2010 eruption flooded through, and the Stakkholtsgjá canyon walk, then reaches the Básar huts. The Krossá, braided across the valley floor between Básar and Langidalur, is the barrier: it shifts, deepens and runs grey with glacial silt, and it drowns cars every summer.

River crossings and the car

As far as Básar: third tier, a high-clearance 4x4 with experience and settled weather, with smaller fords on the way that still exceed a compact 4x4 after rain. The Krossá: fourth tier, modified super-jeeps with 35-inch tyres and snorkels only. Rental contracts commonly exclude F249 entirely, and water damage is never insured.

Water tier 4: Large and unpredictable water crossings. Modified super-jeeps only — 35-inch+ tyres, snorkel, and an experienced driver.

When it opens

June, but it is the most weather-dependent of the popular routes and is closed by rain and melt inside the season; it closes for good between September and October. The recorded dates are below. The highland buses run on a published summer timetable whatever the road status.

F249: first and last day recorded open, by year
YearFirst day openLast day openDays openDays sampled
202619 Oct 202629 Oct 20261011
F249: first and last day recorded open, by year. Daily snapshots from 19 Oct 2026 to 29 Oct 2026. A road still open shows the latest snapshot date as its last day open.

Download the data (CSV) · free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with a link back.

How itineraries use it

As a day in Þórsmörk from Hella, Hvolsvöllur or Vík by Superjeep tour or the highland bus, with the Valahnúkur viewpoint hike and Stakkholtsgjá, and the car left at the Seljalandsfoss car park. Self-drive plans in the catalog stop at Stakkholtsgjá or Gígjökull with a capable car and do not attempt the Krossá.

Itineraries that use F249

Editor-picked Highlands plans from real trips drive this road or reach the places on it. Duplicate one and make it yours.

See itineraries with F249

Questions about F249

Can I drive to Þórsmörk in a rental 4x4?

To Básar, in settled weather, with a high-clearance 4x4 that the contract allows on F249, and even then the fords on the way exceed a compact 4x4 after rain. Beyond Básar the Krossá is super-jeep only. Most travelers take the highland bus or a tour and avoid the risk.

How do I get to Þórsmörk without crossing rivers?

The highland bus from Reykjavík, Hella and Hvolsvöllur in summer, or a Superjeep day tour. Both cross the rivers in vehicles built for them. You can also drive the paved road to Seljalandsfoss and join the bus there.

Can I see anything on F249 with a normal 4x4?

The first part to Gígjökull and the Stakkholtsgjá canyon walk is reachable with a high-clearance 4x4 in dry conditions, and both are worth the drive. Stop there; the fords get worse the deeper you go.

When is F249 open?

From June until September or October, with closures inside the season after rain or a warm spell that swells the Krossá. Check the live status above and road.is on the morning you go; the highland bus runs to Þórsmörk whenever the road is open and is the way in without a modified 4x4. Recorded dates by year are below.

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