French Tourists Fined for Off-Road Damage in Iceland Highlands

French tourists driving two Land Rover Defenders have been fined after leaving marked routes and damaging fragile terrain across Iceland’s Highlands. The case has caused widespread anger after videos and GPS records connected to the journey appeared online, while officials warned that some tyre scars could remain for years.

The off-road driving occurred in June 2026 near Kötlujökull glacier, Einhyrningur mountain and Hvanngil in South Iceland. Vehicle tracks were found across environmentally sensitive land, including an area closed to traffic.

Two Land Rovers spotted off-road

On June 18, professional Highland driver Klemenz Geir Klemenzson encountered two tourists driving away from established routes south of Bláfjallakvísl, near the popular Laugavegur hiking trail.

The group was travelling in two Land Rover Defenders. Reports and online footage indicated that the vehicles crossed vegetation and unmarked ground at several locations instead of remaining on recognised Highland roads.

The incident quickly attracted attention on Icelandic social media. Residents, guides and environmental campaigners shared images of the tyre marks, while local guide Þór Tulinius said he had never witnessed off-road behaviour of this scale in the area.

Tourists fined by South Iceland Police

Police called the travellers in for questioning and imposed fines amounting to several hundred thousand Icelandic krónur. The penalties were subsequently paid.

Iceland’s national broadcaster RÚV confirmed the fines and visible environmental damage near Kötlujökull, Einhyrningur and Hvanngil.

Some international reports gave a figure of 300,000 ISK. However, Icelandic police reporting described the total more broadly as several hundred thousand krónur, without publishing a confirmed penalty for each person.

Videos and deleted GPS routes fuel backlash

The controversy intensified after material associated with the journey appeared online. Videos reportedly showed the Land Rovers crossing Icelandic landscapes, while routes uploaded to the Wikiloc platform appeared to document repeated departures from marked roads.

The GPS records included journeys through the Eastfjords and along the south coast between Höfn and Reykjavík. They were later removed from the route-sharing service.

Icelandic reports further alleged that the group continued travelling and caused additional off-road damage after the initial fine. The claim increased concerns that existing penalties may not be sufficient to deter serious environmental violations.

Why tyre tracks can remain for years

Iceland’s Highlands may appear rugged, but their surface is highly vulnerable. Moss, wetland vegetation and thin volcanic soil develop slowly because of the cold climate, strong winds and short growing season.

Heavy vehicles can destroy vegetation, compress soil and create channels that collect water. Erosion may then widen the original tracks, making restoration difficult or, in the worst cases, impossible.

The sensitivity of Iceland’s environment is receiving wider attention as researchers monitor ecosystem changes, including the significance of the first mosquitoes recorded in Iceland and their possible connection to a changing Arctic climate.

Using a four-wheel-drive vehicle does not permit unrestricted travel. Iceland’s F-roads are official mountain routes, many of which require a suitable 4×4, but driving across open land outside marked roads remains illegal.

Iceland considers tougher enforcement

Environment, Energy and Climate Minister Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson condemned the damage and said authorities were working to strengthen controls and penalties against off-road driving.

Þorgerður María Þorbjarnardóttir, president of the environmental organisation Landvernd, said minor vehicle damage occurs frequently during summer but offenders are rarely caught. Serious cases renew debate over whether fines reflect the lasting cost to nature.

Local guides and conservation groups are campaigning for national park protection across the wider Highlands. They argue that additional park rangers could educate visitors, maintain a visible presence and identify illegal driving sooner.

What visitors should know

Iceland’s landscapes attract large numbers of international visitors and support an important tourism industry. That popularity also increases pressure on remote roads, waste services and natural sites that cannot easily withstand repeated disturbance.

Respect for the landscape is closely connected to the country’s identity and traditions, reflected in the history behind Icelandic National Day on June 17.

Drivers entering the Highlands should use official road information, follow closure notices and remain on marked routes. A trail uploaded by another GPS user does not prove that it is legal. The case demonstrates how a short off-road journey can leave environmental damage lasting far beyond the visit.