The hill up from Jökuldalur on Jökuldalsheiði and Möðrudalsöræf on The Ring Road. This section is probably the most challenging section of the Ring Road during winter.

Impassable roads in winter conditions

From 1 November, it is permitted to drive on studded winter tires. It is necessary since the weather has been relatively bad in North and East Iceland and Westfjords. The winters are usually difficult in those areas, with ice and snow on high and low ground. Planning ahead and giving yourself plenty of time is crucial when travelling around Iceland during the winter months. Check the weather forecast at the Icelandic Meteorological Office website on vedur.is, and then view webcams and information from The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration on road.is. Both of these pages are very regularly updated, both in Icelandic and English. Have a good trip… because it is just as fun to visit the country during the winter months, even though the day is shorter.

Looking north on the road 745 south of Keta on Skagi. There is little winter service on the Ring Road around the peninsula from Tindastóll to Skagaströnd.
This jeep ran off the Ring Road, the wind was strong and roads icy, just east of Möðrudalur á Fjöllum. The car was undamaged, and the driver was uninjured

Möðrudalsöræfi 31/10/2021 16:11 – A7R III: FE 1.4 / 24mm GM

Jökuldalur 31/10/2021 15:04 – A7R IV: FE 1.8 / 135mm GM

Skagi 01/11/2021 13:19 – A7R IV: FE 1.8 / 135mm GM

Photographs and text: Páll Stefánsson