Iceland in Winter With Hella JLU

HI JL Forum,
I’m new here.

My name is Marcus and I shipped my near stock JLU from Denmark and drove all around the inside and outside of Iceland.

Waterfalls, mountains, ocean and lots of northern lights.

Trip of a lifetime for sure.

Let me know if you have any questions interest in more details.

cheers,
Marcus

It is on my list of things to do. We may try and go at the end of summer. Then just rent a 4x4 truck with a camper.

I have thought about shipping our Jeep over or putting a RTT on our Colorado ZR2 and spend the summer in Iceland.

Awesome pics！

4r4m1s said:

HI JL Forum,
I’m new here.

Shipped it from Denmark And drove all around the inside and outside. Waterfalls, mountains, ocean and lots of northern lights.

Trip of a lifetime for sure.

Let me know if you have any questions are interest in more details.

cheers,
Marcus

Click to expand...

My parents visited Iceland this past year, they said it was funny because it's illegal to go off-roading there, but then you got all these big ass lifted vehicles with specialty off-road tires driving around everywhere, and everyone clearly goes off-roading, even though it's illegal.

I guess it's kind of like delete tuning your diesel's in the USA. It's illegal, but no one's stopping you from doing it.

Pretty though.

4r4m1s said:

HI JL Forum,
I’m new here.

Shipped it from Denmark And drove all around the inside and outside. Waterfalls, mountains, ocean and lots of northern lights.

Trip of a lifetime for sure.

Let me know if you have any questions are interest in more details.

cheers,
Marcus

Click to expand...

Great post Marcus, really enjoyed this!

I spent 4 days in Iceland with my son, incredible country, incredible trip. We actually saw quite a few Wranglers in country. How cool you could experience it in your Jeep.

Did you have a chance to check out how the Icelandic trucks are built? We spent 2 days exploring with a husband and wife team and their modded Nissan Patrol. It was late summer so he was running his small tires (42"). This pic was in the Valley of Thor in front of the Glacier.



Your JLU looks stock, how did it handle what you put it through? After a trip like this, any thoughts on mods?



-Steven

ExpeditionBuilds said:

Great post Marcus, really enjoyed this!

I spent 4 days in Iceland with my son, incredible country, incredible trip. We actually saw quite a few Wranglers in country. How cool you could experience it in your Jeep.

Did you have a chance to check out how the Icelandic trucks are built? We spent 2 days exploring with a husband and wife team and their modded Nissan Patrol. It was late summer so he was running his small tires (42"). This pic was in the Valley of Thor in front of the Glacier.

Your JLU looks stock, how did it handle what you put it through? After a trip like this, any thoughts on mods?



-Steven

Click to expand...

In my research, a stock Jeep will do very well. I don't believe that Iceland allows any off road driving. The F-roads are roads that require a 4x4 vehicle and if you rent a vehicle, make sure you are allowed to drive on the F-Roads.

from AI
Iceland’s F-roads are rough, unpaved mountain/highland tracks that you are legally only allowed to drive with a 4x4, and they are generally open only in summer (roughly mid-June to late September, varying by year and road).[bluecarrental +3]
What F-roads are
• F-roads are highland or mountain roads marked with an F before the route number (for example F26, F35, F208, F210, F249).[guidetoiceland +3]
• They are typically gravel or rough tracks with potholes, rocks, steep sections, and often unbridged river crossings in very remote areas of the Icelandic Highlands.[epiciceland +3]
Vehicle and legal requirements
• By law, only 4x4 (4WD) vehicles are allowed on F-roads, and using a regular 2WD car there is illegal and can invalidate insurance.[goiceland +2]
• Even among 4x4s, many routes require high ground clearance and drivers experienced with river crossings; some roads are recommended only for “super jeeps” or guided tours.[lotuscarrental +2]
Season and opening times
• Most F-roads open sometime between mid-June and early July and close between late September and early October, depending on snow melt, rain, and river levels.[hertz +4]
• Opening is not on fixed dates; each year the road authority decides individually, so travelers must check current road conditions and closures shortly before driving.[guidetoiceland +3]
Notable F-roads and difficulty
• F26 (Sprengisandur) is one of the longest and most isolated routes across the interior Highlands, with no fuel or services along the way and multiple river crossings.[lotuscarrental +3]
• F35 (Kjölur) is one of the more accessible highland routes, partly reclassified but still often shown as F35; it usually does not have major river crossings and is manageable in standard 4x4s.[epiciceland +3]
• Roads like F208, F210, F232, and F249 to Þórsmörk are famous for spectacular scenery but are rougher, with deeper and more technical river crossings.[hertz +3]
Practical tips for you
• Check real-time road status and weather just before going, and never rely only on summer “typical” dates because late snow or heavy rain can keep roads closed or make rivers impassable.[goiceland +3]
• Plan fuel, food, and timing carefully; many F-roads have no gas, shops, or accommodation along the route, and mobile coverage can be limited.[guidetoiceland +2]
If you share when you’re thinking of going, what kind of 4x4 you’ll have, and whether you’re comfortable with water crossings, a more tailored list of specific F-roads that fit your style can be suggested.

4r4m1s said:

Click to expand...

What movie are these screenshots from?
Very cool photos man, what an experience!

wibornz said:

In my research, a stock Jeep will do very well. I don't believe that Iceland allows any off road driving. The F-roads are roads that require a 4x4 vehicle and if you rent a vehicle, make sure you are allowed to drive on the F-Roads.

from AI
Iceland’s F-roads are rough, unpaved mountain/highland tracks that you are legally only allowed to drive with a 4x4, and they are generally open only in summer (roughly mid-June to late September, varying by year and road).[bluecarrental +3]
What F-roads are
• F-roads are highland or mountain roads marked with an F before the route number (for example F26, F35, F208, F210, F249).[guidetoiceland +3]
• They are typically gravel or rough tracks with potholes, rocks, steep sections, and often unbridged river crossings in very remote areas of the Icelandic Highlands.[epiciceland +3]
Vehicle and legal requirements
• By law, only 4x4 (4WD) vehicles are allowed on F-roads, and using a regular 2WD car there is illegal and can invalidate insurance.[goiceland +2]
• Even among 4x4s, many routes require high ground clearance and drivers experienced with river crossings; some roads are recommended only for “super jeeps” or guided tours.[lotuscarrental +2]
Season and opening times
• Most F-roads open sometime between mid-June and early July and close between late September and early October, depending on snow melt, rain, and river levels.[hertz +4]
• Opening is not on fixed dates; each year the road authority decides individually, so travelers must check current road conditions and closures shortly before driving.[guidetoiceland +3]
Notable F-roads and difficulty
• F26 (Sprengisandur) is one of the longest and most isolated routes across the interior Highlands, with no fuel or services along the way and multiple river crossings.[lotuscarrental +3]
• F35 (Kjölur) is one of the more accessible highland routes, partly reclassified but still often shown as F35; it usually does not have major river crossings and is manageable in standard 4x4s.[epiciceland +3]
• Roads like F208, F210, F232, and F249 to Þórsmörk are famous for spectacular scenery but are rougher, with deeper and more technical river crossings.[hertz +3]
Practical tips for you
• Check real-time road status and weather just before going, and never rely only on summer “typical” dates because late snow or heavy rain can keep roads closed or make rivers impassable.[goiceland +3]
• Plan fuel, food, and timing carefully; many F-roads have no gas, shops, or accommodation along the route, and mobile coverage can be limited.[guidetoiceland +2]
If you share when you’re thinking of going, what kind of 4x4 you’ll have, and whether you’re comfortable with water crossings, a more tailored list of specific F-roads that fit your style can be suggested.

Click to expand...

I know a stock Jeep, especially a Rubicon is very capable, and you're correct that driving "off road" is prohibited in Iceland.

I was asking Marcus what his thoughts were after having direct experience with his Jeep in that environment..i.e. would he want more lift, bigger tires, winch, aux. lights, etc.. While most roads are pretty easy to drive, the clearance and 4 wheel drive is essential.

The toughest, most dangerous aspects of driving back country in Iceland are water crossings. We saw pics of many vehicles requiring rescue. While driving with our guide, the only time I saw him get nervous was the river crossings in the Valley of Thor. He had us exit the vehicle and he'd test the crossing depth alone first.


-Steven

Looks like we’re hopping off from Iceland to Italy this year. We’re only there about 20 hours and doubt I’ll get a chance for even a short tour in the countryside. Any top spots in Reykjavik we should see in that time?

Odyssey USA said:

Looks like we’re hopping off from Iceland to Italy this year. We’re only there about 20 hours and doubt I’ll get a chance for even a short tour in the countryside. Any top spots in Reykjavik we should see in that time?

Click to expand...

Yes !! A place called “Braud&Co”.
It has by far the best cinnamon rolls on this planet.

It’s a nice town and if you rent a car you can actually see a lot in 20 hours cause some of the most impressive waterfalls are quite close to the city / airport. I recommend driving to Skogafoss, which should take you 2,5 hours on paved road without stopping. There’s so much more to see even on this short strip of land but you can circle back from there to the city and explore.

ExpeditionBuilds said:

I know a stock Jeep, especially a Rubicon is very capable, and you're correct that driving "off road" is prohibited in Iceland.

I was asking Marcus what his thoughts were after having direct experience with his Jeep in that environment..i.e. would he want more lift, bigger tires, winch, aux. lights, etc.. While most roads are pretty easy to drive, the clearance and 4 wheel drive is essential.

The toughest, most dangerous aspects of driving back country in Iceland are water crossings. We saw pics of many vehicles requiring rescue. While driving with our guide, the only time I saw him get nervous was the river crossings in the Valley of Thor. He had us exit the vehicle and he'd test the crossing depth alone first.


-Steven

Click to expand...

Hey guys, so yeah my Jeep is pretty stock. JLU Overland. So just a little more fancy Sahara haha.

Upgrades:
I installed the rhino rack backbone + platform to increase capacity inside. As we all know the jeep isn’t the spaciest inside and additionally we took surfboards, guitar, camping gear with us.

But basically I put 33” tires on it and installed a Rugged Ridge Snorkel. That’s about it when it comes to increasing the capability. Both were needed !

As you guys mentioned: off-roading is strictly strictly prohibited and if you get caught it’ll cost a kidney. But the good news are that the “normal” F-roads are just insane when it comes to “road standards” long water crossings, steep climbs over lava, mild rock crawling down to some canyons, driving along the shore which is impossible during high tide. It’s heaven over there. Please just stay on these roads as it takes centuries for flora to recover.


In hindsight I would’ve loved/needed to have a steel bumper to survive without damage because one river crossing was so icy that we were pushing huge chunks of ice which my plastic euro bumper didn’t handle so well (still looking for an AEV rx over here). Oh and plastic shield/wrap on the fenders would’ve saved me a repaint which I haven’t don’t yet. Otherwise: man that car is quiet something.

this time of the year was perfect to roam around without worrying too much about deep water because it was around freezing temperatures -> less water in the fords. I still checked some (by foot) where I wasn’t sure about depth. So much fun when it’s minus 5°C outside…

I’ll attach some footage

4r4m1s said:

Yes !! A place called “Braud&Co”.
It has by far the best cinnamon rolls on this planet.

It’s a nice town and if you rent a car you can actually see a lot in 20 hours cause some of the most impressive waterfalls are quite close to the city / airport. I recommend driving to Skogafoss, which should take you 2,5 hours on paved road without stopping. There’s so much more to see even on this short strip of land but you can circle back from there to the city and explore.

Click to expand...

Hey thanks! I appreciate that.

one longer crossing …

The thing with the snorkel is: you don’t need unless you really needed. Crossing like that are possible without but you can never be sure about the way back. That’s why it’s important to have it in this remote wilderness. A winch won’t help -> no cars, no trees

ExpeditionBuilds said:

Did you have a chance to check out how the Icelandic trucks are built?

-Steven

Click to expand...

Yep. There’s always a bigger fish…

I hope it doesn’t bother the thread starter that I’m writing this here. Remarkable that you did it in winter.

Hello forum, I found this here and think it’s very nice. Since I also have such a yellow Jeep, I thought I’d write a bit more for you. In 2025 we were on the road for 4 months and 30,000 km in Canada, Alaska, and the northwestern USA. We gathered a lot of information from this forum. I’d like to give a little back.

Over the last 10 years I’ve traveled to Iceland 5 times. There’s little I haven’t driven yet. Starting with a BMW GS Adventure, then with a completely standard Jeep Rubicon, and later trips with a modified Jeep Rubicon. Higher and wider is always possible. The super jeeps in Iceland have those wide, large tires, but mainly for winter. With them they can do glacier tours on the snow. In summer that’s not so important. My Tracks of Iceland.

As everywhere in the world, a lot has changed since the first trip, as tourist numbers in Iceland keep rising. A few bits of information for you regarding off-road driving. Everything is a bit smaller than what you’re used to back home, but just as remarkable. What generally doesn’t work is driving cross-country everywhere. Iceland has vegetation that regenerates very slowly, which is why the fines for driving on non-designated tracks are very high. They are usually in the four-digit range. A very good site for driving information is the Iceland Road Guide. Camping just anywhere is also no longer really welcomed. There are F-roads, which are usually relatively easy gravel roads. And mountain tracks that, depending on the region, are more difficult and also have deeper river crossings. Basically, everything can be managed with a slightly lifted suspension. A snorkel is an advantage; otherwise it simply means turning around if it gets too deep. The flow speed of some rivers should not be underestimated. The best travel time is from early July to the end of September. Earlier than that it’s hard to get deep into the highlands because ice, snow, and water block the routes. In midsummer it’s an advantage to set off very early in the morning if you want to tackle difficult routes with many river crossings. Once the sun is out, the glaciers start to melt and water levels can rise quickly in some places. That should be taken into account. Where you can still get through early in the morning, you may not be able to return in the afternoon. A good first stop for information is always the rangers, who can be found everywhere. As long as you stay on the designated routes, everything is allowed. Otherwise, there are many hiking trails. Hot springs for bathing are very popular, and there are some that are very hidden and especially quiet in the evenings. The highlands are very diverse. Depending on where you are, there is lava sand, mountainous tracks, rocky winding tracks, wide chains of hills with diverse nature. The weather can change very quickly. The Ring Road is always good for getting somewhere quickly if weather conditions change. Usually, there’s always good weather on one side of the island. You don’t need to be afraid of wild animals; just watch out for the sheep. Puffins are easy to observe, and Arctic foxes too, if you’re lucky. Geysir, Dettifoss, the glacial lagoon, Askja—these are things you should see at least once. Crossing the highlands directly at least once is something you should do. Don’t forget spare fuel for that. My recommendation is at least 40 L. Otherwise, the network of gas stations is very well developed. A tip from me: the Alfa Café—this is where you’ll find the best fish soup on the island.

There’s only one way to bring a car to the island, and that’s Smyril Line. They offer a passenger ferry from Hirtshals in Denmark, and a cargo ferry without passengers from Amsterdam. Booking early is important; spots are quickly taken during the main travel season. So if someone wants to bring their Jeep from the other side of the world, they first have to ship it to the European continent and then to the island. My recommendation would be to fly and rent a slightly larger 4x4. When renting, you should make sure that the rental company allows driving in the highlands—not all of them do. A very affordable car is a Dacia Duster AWD. Cheap, small, robust, goes very far even if it doesn’t look like it. I’ll attach a few websites that are good. And a thousand pictures. Northern lights can be seen very well if the season is right, and with a lot of luck you might even see a volcano spewing lava.

Travel connects the people of the world more than anything else—let’s not let that be taken away from us.

In 2026, I will be traveling on the island again from early July to the end of September.

ChatGPT translated it for me.

Iceland Road Guide
Map Guide Iceland
Car X make a good Job
Epic Iceland
Hiking Trails
Camping