Weather and conditions on the main roads:
Precipitaion forecasted in North East Iceland for the weekend. Cold temperatures can cause ice on roads and even snow in some areas. Apart from that, nothing out of the ordinary in the forecast for now.
Reykjavík and nearby:
Grótta lighthouse: No traffice (cars or people) allowed until July 15 because of nesting birds.
Esja: Important not to underestimate the elevation gain and weather. It’s important to stay on the trails and necessary to be dressed/equipped for bad weather because the weather conditions can change very quickly.
Reykjanes:
Valahnjúkur is closed due to fissures and danger of landslides!
Seltún: Part of the hot spring area is closed due to high activity and danger of expolsions. Stay out of the closed area! The whole area is high gerthermal and dangerous boiling hot springs around. Stay on marked paths only!!
Krýsuvíkurbjarg: There’s a big fissure in the cliffs and danger of landslides.
West Iceland:
Glymur: The log “bridge” has been put across the river.
Snæfellsjökull National Park: Important to only go on the glacier with an experienced guide. Show caution at/around sea cliffs. Stay on marked paths/trails.
Djúpalónssandur: The beach can always be dangerous due to the unpredictability of the waves.
West Fjords:
Látrabjarg: In heavy rain Látrabjarg becomes very slippery and trails muddy.
Rauðisandur: The road to Rauðisandur is very steep, threads the mountain without protective rails which can be challenging for inexperienced drivers.
Hornstrandir: Snow in mountain passes and on mountains, the weather forecast is still very cold, so if going there people need to be very well equipped.
North Iceland:
Dettifoss: Wet and slippery. Be extra careful around the canyon and stay on marked paths.
Jökulsárgljúfur: The hiking trail between Ásbyrgi and Dettifoss is still very wet/muddy.
Hljóðaklettar: The hiking trail between Ásbyrgi and Dettifoss is still very wet/muddy.
East Iceland:
Víknaslóðir: Lots of snow still in the area. Huts are closed and no shelter to find.
Hengifoss: Because of nature protection the trail is only open until the last viewing platform. Respect the closure from there on.
Laugafell: Trails are open and in good condition. Stay on marked trails.
South Iceland:
SE of Vatnajökull: This time of year the walls and ceilings of ice caves are weak and entering can be dangerous. Only enter ice caves with an experienced guide!
Skaftafell: Check the information center for information on trails. Important to wear proper hiking boots and stay on marked trails/paths.
Svínafellsjökull: Civil Protection advises against travel on Svínafellsjökull due to landslide danger and guided tours on the glacier are discouraged. Travelers are advised to stop only for a short while at viewpoints by the glacier tongue.
Fjaðrárgljúfur: Open but nature is very sensitive. Stay on paths and do not climb over fences/wires!
Dyrhólaey: The road to Háey is only for 4×4 jeeps. When walking around, do not climb over fences/chains and keep away from the edge of cliffs. Show extra caution when it’s windy. Birds are nesting so it is very important to stay on marked paths/areas and don’t disturb the birds. The whole area is closed for all traffic between 19:00 and 07:00.
Reynisfjara: Use extra caution, stay FAR back from the water, and do not leave children unattended! Do not enter the cave! Rocks fall from the “ceiling” and going there you can get caught in the waves. The beach can always be dangerous due to the unpredictability of the waves.
Kirkjufjara: Closed.
Reykjadalur: The trail is in good condition. Proper hiking shoes required though. Stay on marked trails, nature in the area is very sensitive, plus there are dangerous hot springs around.
Highlands:
Most F-roads (highland roads) are still closed and will not open until mid/late June. No driving permitted and illegal to enter these roads now!
Road 249/F249 to Þórsmörk is only passable for bigger 4×4 jeeps. Do not try to cross the Krossá river! It’s only for modified jeeps and very experienced drivers who know that river very well.
Fimmvörðuháls trail: There is snow on big part of the trail, it’s cold up there and even at this time of year bad weather conditions are a fact. The huts are closed and no shelter to be found. A challenging hike and conditions vary a lot on the weather. Warm clothes, wind- and waterproof jacket and trousers, as well as proper hiking boots are necessary.
Básar: Trails are in quite good condition. Stay on marked trails.
Þórsmörk: Trails are in quite good condition. Stay on marked trails.
Landmannalaugar: Road 208 from 26 is open as far as Landmannalaugar. The same is for F225 but only passable by bigger 4×4 jeeps. Most hiking trails in the area are now open.
Laugavegur trail: Winter conditions on the trail and lots of snow between Landmannalaugar and Álftavatn. The huts on the trail are closed until June 8th, so until then there’s no shelter for bad weather which can be expected even at this time a year.
Kerlingarfjöll: Not much snow in the area compared to previous years. Nature is very wet/muddy. Stay on marked trails and roads.
Road 35 is passable for 4×4 cars.
Hiking in general:
Hiking in Iceland requires proper equipment, even on shorter hikes as trails are often not like the ones travelers are used to. Very bad weather can also be expected, even in summer. Please study our equipment list because preparation is key for successful travel in Iceland. The way down can often be harder than the way up so hiking poles are a good tool to help tired knees.
Trails can be wet, muddy and slippery so it’s important to wear proper footwear. Important to stay on marked paths and trails everywhere.