Akstur á suðurströnd Íslands um vetur

The South Coast in Winter: Spectacular and Dangerous in Equal Measure

The stretch of Route 1 between Selfoss and Jökulsárlón — approximately 380 km — is Iceland's most popular driving route and its most deceptive in winter. In summer, this road is a smooth, straightforward drive through some of the world's most dramatic scenery. In winter, the same road becomes a test of driving skill, weather awareness, and decision-making that catches hundreds of visitors off guard every year.

Why the South Coast Is Dangerous in Winter

Three factors combine to make this stretch uniquely hazardous:

1. Wind Exposure: The South Coast faces the open North Atlantic. Between Vík and Skaftafell, the road crosses flat, exposed sandur plains where there is nothing — no trees, no buildings, no hills — to break the wind. During winter storms, wind speeds routinely exceed 25 m/s (90 km/h), creating conditions where vehicles can be pushed sideways across the road. Campervans and high-profile SUVs are particularly vulnerable.

2. Sand and Ash Storms: The volcanic sand plains along the coast (Mýrdalssandur, Skeiðarársandur) produce sandstorms during strong winds. Fine volcanic particles blast at 100+ km/h, stripping paint, frosting windows, and reducing visibility to near zero. This is not rain or snow — it is a wall of abrasive particles that damages vehicles in minutes.

3. Single-Lane Bridges: The South Coast has the Ring Road's highest concentration of single-lane bridges. In winter, these bridges ice over before the road surface because cold air circulates underneath. Combined with darkness and wind, crossing these bridges requires care.

Section-by-Section Guide

Selfoss to Vík (140 km)

This section includes the popular stops at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. The road is generally well-maintained but climbs over Hellisheiði pass near the start, which ices over frequently. The stretch between Skógar and Vík crosses the base of Mýrdalsjökull and is exposed to both wind and occasional glacial outburst risk.

Winter tip: stop at Skógar or Vík for the night rather than continuing. The road east of Vík is significantly more exposed.

Vík to Kirkjubæjarklaustur (70 km)

The most exposed section. Crosses the Mýrdalssandur and Eldhraun lava field. During sandstorms, this section is closed — and it should be. Visibility can drop to less than 10 metres, and the abrasive sand causes thousands of euros of damage to vehicles caught in it. Check road.is before departing Vík, and if a storm is forecast, wait it out.

Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Skaftafell/Jökulsárlón (130 km)

Crosses the vast Skeiðarársandur plain — another exposed section. This area is also subject to glacial outburst floods (jökulhlaup) from Vatnajökull, though these are extremely rare and well-monitored. In winter, the road is usually passable but icy, and the single-lane bridges require caution.

When to Go and When to Stay Put

Check three things every morning before driving the South Coast in winter:

1. road.is — Current road status (green/yellow/red for every section)
2. vedur.is — Weather forecast, including wind speed and direction
3. safetravel.is — Alerts and warnings for travellers

If wind speeds above 20 m/s are forecast for the section you plan to drive, postpone. If sandstorm warnings are active, postpone. If road.is shows red (impassable), do not attempt the road regardless of what the weather looks like at your location — conditions change within minutes on the South Coast.