Iceland Ring Road Late Sept
Jul 7th, 2017, 10:20 AM
#1
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Iceland Ring Road Late Sept
We are planning a self drive on the ring road in Late Sept Early October. I have been doing lots of reading about winter driving in Iceland!
So my question is are we crazy planning a trip at this time? I totally understand we cannot predict the weather
We live where we get winter snow so do understand snow driving but perhaps not totally as this relates to Iceland.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
So my question is are we crazy planning a trip at this time? I totally understand we cannot predict the weather
We live where we get winter snow so do understand snow driving but perhaps not totally as this relates to Iceland.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Jul 10th, 2017, 09:34 AM
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I drove the southern portion of the Ring Road during the last week of September 2016 and it was absolutely fine. No snow, just sun, wind and rain - all within the same day. The Road is well paved, many turn offs and places to pull over. Easy to drive since there was so little traffic and plenty to see. I drove from Rekyjavik to Hofn and back, so can't speak to the northern half.
Jul 10th, 2017, 04:03 PM
#3
We drove the Ring Road in late May. While I have no idea when winter begins in Iceland (Sept-Oct seem more like autumn to me, but hey, it's Iceland so the usual rules don't apply!), there were sections that I'd definitely not want to drive if the weather was bad (as in blowing snow).
In particular, the section between Husavik and Seyðisfjörður comes to mind. This was the description I wrote in my trip report, which might give you some idea:
"During our six days in Iceland, we’d learned that roads outside of the cities don’t have shoulders; they’re narrow and built-up (presumably to prevent flooding), with steep ditches on both sides, and more often than not, surrounded by lava fields. It feels as if you’re driving along a narrow ledge. In other words, these are not roads you want to stray from. All of those warnings about winter driving in Iceland began to make perfect sense. I would definitely not want to be stranded out here in the middle of Nowheresville, with the ferocious Icelandic wind whipping snow across the road and obscuring visibility. Thanks, but no."
And I'm from Colorado, and used to winter driving
But then again, the weather might be fabulous. Who knows?
In particular, the section between Husavik and Seyðisfjörður comes to mind. This was the description I wrote in my trip report, which might give you some idea:
"During our six days in Iceland, we’d learned that roads outside of the cities don’t have shoulders; they’re narrow and built-up (presumably to prevent flooding), with steep ditches on both sides, and more often than not, surrounded by lava fields. It feels as if you’re driving along a narrow ledge. In other words, these are not roads you want to stray from. All of those warnings about winter driving in Iceland began to make perfect sense. I would definitely not want to be stranded out here in the middle of Nowheresville, with the ferocious Icelandic wind whipping snow across the road and obscuring visibility. Thanks, but no."
And I'm from Colorado, and used to winter driving
But then again, the weather might be fabulous. Who knows?
Sep 17th, 2017, 05:12 AM
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I'm not sure if you've left yet but if not here are my 2 cents.
We have just returned and it was much colder than we expected! Yes, the temperatures do not look very imposing. We had a lot of days with a high around 50 which is quite comfortable in the states. However, we got rained on nearly every day and the winds are no joke. We were warned when picking up our rental car to be careful opening the doors on the vehicle as it is common for the wind to blow them off. That is not something I have been warned about ever before hahaha. So, don't just look at expected temperatures and think it will be sort of comfortable - bring a good winter jacket, waterproof boots, waterproof pants, a base layer and good, wool socks. I was so glad we had really good rain jackets - not cheap or flimsy ones but ones that are certified wind and rain proof with good, cinching hoods. Our boots got drenched one day and we were glad we had packed extra shoes.
So, the scenery is amazing and the country is incredible but do be prepared for cold, wet weather and pack accordingly. Have a great trip!!
We have just returned and it was much colder than we expected! Yes, the temperatures do not look very imposing. We had a lot of days with a high around 50 which is quite comfortable in the states. However, we got rained on nearly every day and the winds are no joke. We were warned when picking up our rental car to be careful opening the doors on the vehicle as it is common for the wind to blow them off. That is not something I have been warned about ever before hahaha. So, don't just look at expected temperatures and think it will be sort of comfortable - bring a good winter jacket, waterproof boots, waterproof pants, a base layer and good, wool socks. I was so glad we had really good rain jackets - not cheap or flimsy ones but ones that are certified wind and rain proof with good, cinching hoods. Our boots got drenched one day and we were glad we had packed extra shoes.
So, the scenery is amazing and the country is incredible but do be prepared for cold, wet weather and pack accordingly. Have a great trip!!
