Þórsmörk Road F249 and the Krossá Crossing
Iceland's glacial river road into Thor's Valley
F249 leaves Route 1 near Seljalandsfoss and runs about 19 miles up the Markarfljót valley, into Þórsmörk, the Valley of Thor, a birch-and-lava basin pinned between the Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull ice caps. You cross the Steinholtsá, the Hvanná, and then the Krossá, the main event: braided glacial meltwater that shifts channel after every flood and has swallowed more than a few vehicles. Cars float, rental agreements void, and even locals walk the river before they drive it. The road ends at Húsadalur and Básar, where huts and trailheads link to Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls.
This is a moderate drive on paper and a serious drive in practice. You need a properly lifted 4×4, ideally on 33-inch or bigger tires, plus a snorkel if the water’s high. Cross in the morning, before afternoon melt swells the river. Walk or study the crossing, check the Icelandic road authority and SafeTravel before you leave, and carry a satellite messenger. The road opens in June and closes with the first autumn snow. Camping is only allowed at designated campgrounds. Fuel up in Hvolsvöllur because there’s none beyond it. Wait out high water instead of rolling the dice. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 19 mi / 30.6 km |
| Duration | 3-5 hours one way |
| Max elevation (ft) | 700 ft |
| Best season | Mid-June to September |
| Minimum vehicle | Lifted 4x4 with large tires and snorkel recommended |
| Nearest town | Hvolsvöllur, Iceland |
| Land manager | Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (Vegagerðin) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration SafeTravel Iceland |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock SUV like a 4Runner or Land Cruiser do the Krossá crossing?
Not reliably. The Krossá runs over large, shifting rocks and can be well above stock fording depth, so a lifted 4x4 on large tires (33" or bigger) with a snorkel is the safe setup. Watching other vehicles cross first is standard practice, and turning around is a legitimate call.
When does F249 open, and is it passable in winter?
F249 is closed in winter and typically opens mid-June, once Vegagerðin clears snow and checks the river conditions. The usable season runs through about September. Check road.is for current status before you drive out.
Do I need a permit to drive F249, and is wild camping allowed?
There's no permit or toll to drive the road, but F-roads legally require a 4x4, and driving off the marked track carries heavy fines. Wild camping with a vehicle is banned in Iceland, so you'll need a designated campground in the Þórsmörk area. Book ahead in July and August.
What's the hardest part of the drive, and how deep is the Krossá?
The Krossá is the hard part. It's a braided glacial river with a bed that changes after floods, and the water is milky, so you can't see the rocks. Depth varies daily with melt and rain, and it's usually lowest in the morning and higher in the late afternoon on warm days. Rental insurance almost never covers water damage.
Where do I get fuel, and will I have cell service?
Fill up in Hvolsvöllur before you turn onto F249, because there's no fuel in the valley. The round trip is about 38 miles (61 km) on rough ground, plus extra if you're staying at the huts. Cell service is spotty, so check road.is and safetravel.is before you go and file a travel plan with SafeTravel.
Trail track
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