Sprengisandur (F26)

Sprengisandur is the long, hard crossing: the F26 from Hrauneyjar north of Hella to Bárðardalur south of Goðafoss, about 200 km of sand, stone and unbridged rivers across the emptiest part of the country. It is for large 4x4s and experienced drivers, and the Vegagerðin highland page read today says so directly: the route "is only traversable with large, four-wheel drive vehicles and superjeeps", and "does not fully open until early July, sometimes later".

Opening, from the agency's table read today: both halves, Hrauneyjar to Nýidalur and Nýidalur to Bárðardalur, opened between 21 June and 13 July over 2021–2025, average 6 July, the latest of all the main highland roads. Until then it is closed to everyone, and entering a closed road carries fines under the Nature Conservation Act. Current status is on umferdin.is.

Safetravel.is, read today: "Know that no insurance covers any damage of a vehicle while crossing a river!"; "The risk is always yours, damages can cost thousands of euros/dollars"; "Plan the route you are going to take before entering the water", "drive very slowly in lowest gear, low drive and steady", "do not switch gears while in the water!", and "If you're unsure of crossing a river then don't do it, turn around". Leave a travel plan.

The practical line: the last fuel in the south is the Olís point at Hrauneyjar (olis.is, confirmed today), the last in the north is at Goðafoss or Akureyri, and there is nothing between. The FÍ hut at Nýidalur, about halfway, has a warden in summer and toilets; carry water and a day's food. There is no phone signal for most of the crossing. Allow seven to ten hours of driving, and do not plan it as a day that ends with a ferry or a flight.