Exploring Iceland by bike

From the Golden Circle to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Gullfoss Waterfall or the Diamond Beach, gravel riding in Iceland will transport you to another dimension for sure. With vast stretches of wilderness and hundreds of kms of unpaved roads, this gravel destination ticks all the boxes for a bike based adventure just as we like - wild, exhilarating and intoxicating!

So if you’ve been dreaming of an out of this world experience, one where physical challenge and mindful contemplation meet, then join us on the ultimate adventure! From accommodation to carefully planned routes, gravel bike hire to bike handling technique, here at GravelUp we do everything we can to make your trip as nigh on perfect as possible. Prepare to be inspired by Iceland! 

Iceland - a wild and unspoilt gravel destination

Right up on the edge of the Arctic Circle, Iceland is a land sculpted by powerful forces over the course of millennia. A land of contrasts with a capital C, where exceptional landscapes are being constantly changed by the elements. All of which makes for an exceptional playground for a gravel bike!

But Iceland is no ordinary place to ride gravel. Far from the tourist hotspots, gravel roads take you to the heart of a raw and wild nature, where you’ll find volcanic landscapes, stunning geysers, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks… plenty of treasures await.

With ever-changing skies that bathe the landscape in a soft golden light, time seems to stand still in Iceland offering a rare break from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Exploring Iceland takes on a whole new dimension when done on a gravel bike, giving privileged access to some of the most extraordinary areas. And a valuable chance to pause, breathe and reconnect.

If you dream of getting off the beaten track, and are ready for a bike adventure, then think no further than Iceland!  

Why choose GravelUp and Iceland for your next bike trip?

Joining a GravelUp bike trip means you’ll benefit from personalised support at every stage of your adventure. Our passionate local guides will enable you to explore off the beaten track and discover some of the local traditions thanks to their extensive local knowledge.

To give you a flavour of what a GravelUp trip is like, we’ve collated together what are, in our opinion, the magic ingredients of a top notch bike trip to whet your appetite:

Custom created routes

All our routes are carefully planned and curated by our team, enabling you to fully explore your chosen destination. They’re extensively tried and tested beforehand (it’s a tough job!) and can be adapted to suit different technical and fitness levels, as well as the different wants and needs of each group.

Authentic accommodation

We take the task of choosing your accommodation incredibly seriously, and make it a point of honour to search out unique, comfy and authentic places for you to stay. Ones that go above and beyond the usual. We take food equally as seriously, with every meal an opportunity to try local flavours and specialities as well as refuelling post-ride, and fueling for the journey ahead.

We organise and include everything during your trip, so that you can relax and focus on the important business of enjoying your trip to the max.

Quality kit

You can of course bring your own gravel bike with you on any of our bike trips. But if you don't have a gravel bike yet, or fancy testing a carbon gravel bike, we have high end gravel bikes available to rent when you book. In partnership with French brand Origine, we have the Graxx carbon bike (8.1 kg) and the Help electric bike (12 kg) available for your riding pleasure. Voted Gravel Bike of the Year on several occasions, both bikes combine performance and versatility for a responsive ride!

Passionate local guides

All our gravel trips are led by passionate local guides who are professionally qualified and hold first-aid certificates. Our guides are there to make sure you have an unforgettable adventure, and will take you to the heart of your chosen destination with shared knowledge, experience and of course anecdotes! So open your eyes, look around and soak it all in, GravelUp will take care of the rest!

Who is riding gravel in Iceland for?

How we ride

Whether you are just starting on your gravel journey, have dabbled a little or are a seasoned gravel-ler, here at GravelUp we have a trip that’s right for you! We have 3 different levels and durations of trip so that there’s something for everyone. Riding gravel with us isn’t about racing around and being King or Queen of the Mountains, we start and finish together and make the most of all that’s in-between. So you can relax with zero pressure and focus on pure pleasure. 

Where we ride

We have both point to point and fixed base trips available, with daily distances ranging from 40-80kms. All our routes have been developed alongside the local tourist offices, Park authorities and sometimes the landowners themselves. Lastly our guides tweak the routes day by day as needed, depending on the weather, energy levels and the needs of the group.

What we ride

Almost everything is the short answer! Thanks to the versatility of gravel bikes, we take trails that are smooth, rough, flat, undulating, sometimes steep, wide, narrow - whatever best takes us into nature and whatever a gravel bike and the group can handle.

Are you ready to explore Iceland with us?

If you’re planning a bike trip to Iceland get in touch with us here as we love both hearing about your plans and helping take your trip to another level.

And if you can't wait, we’ve got plenty of other bike trips available throughout Europe. Check them out in our Trip Directory, or get in touch with us for more info!