Iceland Forum: Sólheimasandur plane wreck

Just wanted to say that these directions were very good and got me to the plane. I would add a couple thoughts though for future travelers. The gate that is mentioned in the directions above is not like a gate you would see here in the US commonly. The gate is basically vertical wooden poles attached to the fencing and then pulled tight and held in place with some small ropes to the main fence. I had to look a couple times to find it. Additionally, the hills he mentions are very gradual, not dramatic hills at all. Also, there is a drop off from the road to the fields mentioned that is very steep. At the point where the gate is, there is a sort of gravel ramp built up to the road. Once you see that, it is obvious you're in the right place. I have seen videos of people driving to the plane before online and towards the end of the drive they have to cross a river. Using these directions you don't have to cross any water. We actually drove out there instead of walking. I had two locals (one a farmer and the other a hotel owner) tell me that it was fine to drive, so we did... the weather was not looking very friendly that day, and it is about 2 miles out off the main road. I had an AWD Subaru, but I'm pretty comfortable saying that any rental car would have been fine assuming it was a relatively dry day. It wasn't sketchy at all (not NEARLY as bad as the road to Sólheimarjökul which was extremely iffy when we were there). When we were there last week, there were sheep grazing in the field instead of potatoes, but you'll know the field when you see it... it is pretty much the only solid green field out there in the midst of a bunch of black sand.

Happy hunting to anyone else who goes looking for it!

Dan

Is it possible to visit the plane wreck with a standard 2WD in early January?

I would just use common sense about it when you get there. The sand isn't terribly deep on the way out there, but if it was wet at all I'd be a little concerned. You can always just park near that gate though and walk it. Once you find the spot, it is really easy to navigate. Just keep in mind that you won't see the plane until you're a couple hundred yards away from it because of where it sits.

Or have a private guide take you there: www.facebook.com/media/set/…

B-)

...Or that. LOL When I go back to Iceland, I'm going to take one of those 4X4 trips. They looked like a TON of fun!