Mountain Roads

Sensitive environment

Land which is more than 300 meters above sea level is classified as highland; the climate in the highlands is changeable, and these regions are generally blanketed with snow well into the summer months. During the spring and early summer, when the snow melts and frozen earth thaws both roads and vegetation are in a vulnerable state and easily damaged. The greatest risk is due to the impact of premature traffic, especially when vehicles drive off-road to circumnavigate snowdrifts. Attempts to use snowmobiles in spring, when snow cover is decreasing, can also inflict damage. The highland summer lasts only a month and a half, and this is the period of growth for highland vegetation, chis is thus low growing and sensitive to any disturbance. Even walkers can inflict permanent damage on vegetation. So all travelers in the highlands should treat the natural environment with care and respect.

Opening of mountain roads

The state of snow cover is the most important factor on deciding when mountain roads can be opened to traffic. In cases where mountain roads
pass through conservation areas, the roads may not be opened until the area as a whole is in a state to withstand the pressures of visitors, even if the road itself is clear of snow and could withstand traffic.

Mountain road conditions

Since 1989, The Road and Coastal Administration and the Environmental and Food Agency have published maps showing the conditions of mountain roads during the spring and early summer. The maps are issued for as long as any mountain road remains closed.

On road.is you can find up to-date information on the state of the roads, including mountain roads, and you can also call the number 1777 which is our watch station and is open 24 hours a day.

Opening of mountain roads

Information on the approximate opening date of the principal mountain roads is given in the table; the map below shows the location of mountain roads. The first two columns of the table show the earliest and latest opening dates of the roads over the past 5 years. The third column shows the average date of opening during this period. The road may not, in practice, be opened on the projected date, as the question whether a road has become passable is subject to weather conditions and the amount of snow on the highlands. More detailed information on the opening of highland roads can be found in maps issued by the Public Roads Administration and the Environmental and Food Agency
during the spring and early summer, and published in the press. Further information on the state of the roads is also available on road.is and telephone 1777.