Öskjuleið (F88) to Drekagil

The F88 Öskjuleið to Drekagil cuts a lonely track across 78 miles of Iceland’s most unforgiving highland desert, where the only sound for hours is volcanic sand grinding under your tires. This is the route to Drekagil—Dragon Gorge—a narrow canyon carved into black basalt that most visitors never see because they turn around at the tourist crowds of Askja caldera. You won’t. The real Iceland starts where the pavement ends and the tour buses can’t follow.

You’ll need a proper 4WD with high clearance and multiple river crossings under your belt before you point your hood toward this moonscape. The route demands 2-3 days minimum, crossing highland desert at elevations up to 2,100 feet where weather changes faster than you can pull over. River crossings come without warning—some knee-deep, some deeper, all cold enough to numb your feet if you wade them to check depth. The volcanic sand will test every seal in your rig, and the nearest help is whatever you brought with you. Cell service doesn’t exist out here, and the highland season runs June through September only. Miss that window and you’re looking at impassable snow or closed roads.

From the Mývatn area, the F88 leads you past Herðubreið mountain—the Queen of Iceland’s mountains—before the landscape turns truly alien. Black lava fields stretch to horizons that seem borrowed from Mars, broken only by the occasional highland hut or crossing track. The volcanic desert here formed from eruptions that reshaped entire watersheds, leaving behind a terrain so harsh that NASA has used similar Icelandic locations for Mars rover testing. Dispersed camping is permitted, but bring everything—water, fuel, food, and backup plans. The highland weather can pin you down for days.

Drekagil itself rewards the committed with a slot canyon that cuts deep into volcanic rock, its walls stained red and black from mineral deposits. Standing at the rim after two days of highland driving, you’ll understand why this route separates the tourists from the travelers. This isn’t about conquering terrain—it’s about experiencing Iceland as it existed before roads, before crowds, when the island belonged to the wind and the volcanic forces that built it. You’ll leave with sand in places you didn’t know existed and stories that sound impossible to anyone who’s never driven beyond the Ring Road.

Q: What vehicle do I need for the F88 to Drekagil route?

You need a 4WD vehicle with high clearance capable of handling multiple river crossings and deep volcanic sand.

Q: How long does the F88 to Drekagil route take?

The 78-mile route requires 2-3 days minimum to complete safely with proper camping stops.

Q: When can I drive the F88 highland route?

The highland roads are only open June through September due to snow and weather conditions.

Q: Is there cell service on the F88 route?

No cell service exists along this remote highland route, so bring satellite communication or emergency beacons.

Q: Can I camp along the F88 to Drekagil?

Yes, dispersed camping is permitted in the highlands, but you must bring all water, food, and fuel as no services exist along the route.