In a couple of years I hope to cross Iceland east to west through the centre. I understand the roads in central Iceland are only open in the summer. Is that for vehicles only or for walking as well? I looked around but most info is about (4x4) cars and other vehicles.
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4Since Iceland has the "right to roam" similar to other Nordic countries, you're basically allowed to go wherever you are. You probably won't even be able to see the road due to the snowcover, so it would be weird if you could go everywhere except there :) so I wouldn't worry.– gerritCommented Nov 21, 2012 at 13:58
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@gerrit I'd turn that comment into an answer personally - seems like a perfectly sensible one!– berry120Commented Nov 22, 2012 at 11:50
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I actually shouldn't have said winter. I was thinking about spring or autumn. As the roads are closed to cars from september until may I wondered of walking outside those months would raise an eyebrow from authorities. Not being very familiar with the conditions I could imagine them not being to keen on rescuing yet another unprepared or overconfident hiker.– eblonkCommented Nov 22, 2012 at 13:03
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1@EBV2010 Whether it's strictly speaking legal, and whether it's a sensible thing to do are two different questions. If you're in doubt then regardless of the legality, I wouldn't do it!– berry120Commented Nov 26, 2012 at 11:22
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@eblonk, keep in mind that especially in spring after/during snowmelt the rivers will be torrents that will often be virtually uncrossable by any means, let alone on foot. AFAIK this is also a part of why they close certain roads at certain times - they're just not very passable.– fgysinCommented Oct 11, 2017 at 15:48
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2 Answers
Hiking in the Iceland highlands/roads when there's snow on the ground is certainly allowed, although you'd find travel much easier on skis. Be aware in the winter/spring the roads and marker / sign posts are totally buried in snow.
The mountain rescue service in Iceland will be happy to rescue you should you get into trouble - register with ICESAR in Reykjavik before you head out (They will also rent you a PLB if you want
There's no need for rescue insurance in Iceland, they don't charge for rescue.
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Since Iceland has the "right to roam" similar to other Nordic countries, you're virtually allowed to go wherever you want. You probably won't even be able to see the road due to the snowcover, so it would be weird if you could go everywhere except there :) so I wouldn't worry.
Even when there's no snow, there's very little traffic. The busiest highland roads may get >100 cars/day, but some remote mountain tracks don't even reach 10 cars per week in summer, much less outside summer. I've walked on some of those more remote mountain tracks for a couple of days and I've never seen a car there.
As Simon says, rescue is not normally charged.
