Cycling in Iceland - find out what's not to be missed!

Under the changing light of a sky that never sleeps, Iceland is a land sculpted by mountains, volcanoes and glaciers over millennia. Exploring the untamed beauty of the island by bike means relaxing into a rhythm dictated by the whims of nature, feeling the wind whistle in your ears and being present in the immense landscapes around you.

Each and every pedal stroke will take you along gravel roads that wind their way through a raw nature, following valleys and past stunning volcanoes. 

Though demanding at times, Iceland is undoubtedly a place to ride with infinite rewards for those ready for the challenge! You’ll be amazed by the power of the elements here and the richness of contrasts that you’ll find. So if you're ready for an extraordinary experience, one of contemplation and personal challenge combined, then read on for our top tips to make your gravel adventure in Iceland even more epic!

Why choose Iceland for your next gravel adventure?

Diverse landscapes

Between lava fields, majestic glaciers and isolated fjords, Iceland is home to an incredible variety of landscapes. As you explore this island just outside the Arctic Circle you’ll find black sandy beaches sheltered by cliffs battered by the ocean, mountains and plains carved by glaciers, and waterfalls and geysers dotted throughout the island, all part of an ever-changing landscape. 

Iceland is well known for the unique light that shows the stunning scenery of the country at its best. Not forgetting exceptional natural phenomena of midnight sun in summer and the Northern Lights that punctuate the winter nights - the island is a real open-air theatre that will unveil intense moments of emotion, contemplation and exploration.   

Exceptional gravel trails

Iceland is home to a vast network of gravel roads and trails that are perfect for gravel riding, particularly in the Highlands and rural areas.These roads and tracks swiftly take you away from the main tourist sites and offer you the odd technical challenge along the way! Among them, the F roads of the Highlands and all the minor backroads, none of which are paved, are ideal for immersing yourself in an exceptional natural environment.

A wild and unspoilt nature

With a small population and unspoilt natural landscapes, Iceland is one of Europe's wildest destinations. A true sanctuary of tranquillity, travelling in Iceland by gravel bike allows you to reconnect with nature and immerse yourself in all the wonders the island has to offer, far from the hustle and bustle of tourism. Whether you're camping under the Northern Lights, bathing in hot springs, taking a refreshing dip in a waterfall or exploring a cave, you'll be spoilt for choice!

Exploring Iceland by gravel bike - our must-sees

Travelling around Iceland by gravel bike promises to be an unforgettable experience for all nature and adventure lovers… But to make your trip an even more memorable adventure, here’s a few of our must sees and dos!  

Route 1 (Ring Road) and its detours

This 1,300 km loop is one of Iceland's best-known roads, taking you all the way around the island via a host of iconic sites such as the Svinafellsjökull glacier, the Dyrholaey arch, Vestrahorn, Stokksnes and Reynisfjara beaches and Lake Myvatn.

Whilst almost all of Route 1 is paved and busy with cars at times, some sections offer numerous detours that are well worth exploring on a gravel bike. These include the roads leading to the Eastern Fjords and the Central Plateau.

The Golden Circle

Despite being very popular with tourists, the Golden Circle remains a must visit with access to three of Iceland's most emblematic sites:

• Thingvellir National Park. A major historical and geological site, Thingvellir is famous for having been home to Iceland's first parliament in the 10th century. It’s also where you can see the separation of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. 

• The geothermal zone with the most notable geysers of Geysir and Strokkur. 

• Gullfoss, one of Iceland's most powerful and impressive waterfalls. Here, the icy waters of the River Hvítá plunge into a narrow gorge with an impressive and resounding crash. And if you manage to time your visit with the sunshine, you might be lucky enough to see the rainbow that has earned this waterfall the name ‘Golden Falls’.

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula

About 150 km north of the capital Reykjavik in western Iceland you’ll find this peninsula that has been nicknamed ‘Iceland in miniature.’ With mountains, lava fields, black sandy beaches and picturesque villages, there’s a sample of everything Iceland has to offer, with less distance in between! You'll be able to admire:

• Kirkjufell and its many waterfalls, one of Iceland's most photographed mountains

• Londrangar Beach and its strangely shaped cliffs

• Budakirkja Church

• the Arch at Gatklettur

• and finally Vatnshellir Caves.

The Highlands

For a more challenging adventure the F roads of the Highlands are really ideal for gravel riding. These “roads” and trails are only accessible in summer and only suitable for sturdy, off road oriented gravel bikes, as you’ll encounter all sorts of rough terrain and plenty of river crossings! Your efforts will be richly rewarded as the region offers spectacular scenery, including the multicoloured mountains, hot springs and vast stretches of black sand of Landmannalaugar.

Vatnajökull National Park

This national park is home to Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap, as well as the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and incredible Diamond Beach.

The Mývatn region

Up in the north of Iceland, this area is famous for volcanic landscapes, hot springs, caves and lava formations. Gravel roads will take you to volcanic areas including the volcanic crater of Hverfjall and the strange and mysterious “fortress of darkness” formations of the Dimmuborgir lava field. Lake Mývatn is surrounded by a striking volcanic landscape (even by Iceland’s standards!) of craters, lava flows, hot springs and smoke holes, all bathed in a beautiful and ever-changing light.

The south coast

Although the south coast is generally busier than the rest of the island, it's still well worth a visit as you’ll find it full of natural wonders. It’s home to two of the most iconic Icelandic waterfalls - Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, as well as the black sandy beaches of Reynisfjara and the cliffs of Dyrhólaey.

Our top tips for a successful trip to Iceland

Travelling by bike in Iceland needs more preparation than other bike trips due to the unpredictable weather, difficult roads and remote infrastructure - don’t let that put you off though! Here’s some practical tips to help your cycling trip to Iceland be an unforgettable adventure for all the right reasons.

The weather

It's well known that weather conditions in Iceland are unpredictable! So you can expect rain, wind, sun and maybe even snow… all in one day! While this may seem like an inconvenience, it’s actually what makes each day so unique and unpredictable so embrace what the weather has in store for you.

The wind can be extremely strong at times, especially in coastal areas and the highlands, so when planning your route, try to anticipate the prevailing headwinds and ride with the wind behind you as far as possible. Be prepared to change your route.

Here's what to expect depending on the season:

• Spring - cool temperatures between 0 and 10°C, and the days start to get longer, with beautiful spring colours and less tourists.

• Summer - temperatures vary between 10 and 15°C, sometimes even higher. Though weather is fickle in summer, it’s still one of the best times to explore the island as you'll benefit from almost continuous daylight thanks to the famous midnight sun.

• Autumn - Temperatures start to drop back towards 0°C, and the days get shorter. The autumn colours are magnificent, and there are a lot less tourists again.

• Winter - Daylight hours are very short, with temperatures close to or below 0°C, and Iceland becomes a Northern Lights paradise! Expect snow and storms, especially in the more isolated regions.

Our advice: the oft-mentioned phrase “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad preparation and kit” applies here! You’ll need the right clothing for any type of weather and eventuality that the island can throw at you. Prioritise layering with a thermal base layer, a warm mid layer (such as a fleece) and a waterproof and windproof outer layer. Don’t forget a hat, gloves and a good waterproof jacket, even in summer!

Daylight

During the summer Iceland enjoys the midnight sun and it stays light almost 24 hours a day. Handy if you want to cycle late into the evening and make the most of good weather windows! In winter, on the other hand, the days are very short - with only a few hours of light a day your pedalling time is limited. So make sure you have good headlights and reflectors to stay visible and pedal safely in the dark.

Drinking water and food

Iceland's water is of excellent quality and perfectly drinkable - the island is famous for its pure water from glaciers and natural springs. You can drink delicious tap water anywhere without worry. Take as much water as you can carry with you if you’ll be riding through isolated areas - a filtering flask can be very useful so you can draw water from rivers or lakes.

When it comes to food, restaurants can be relatively expensive, especially in tourist areas. Buying food in local supermarkets such as Bónus or Kronan which have more affordable prices is a good way to keep your budget under control. If you're camping you’ll need to plan ahead and carry plenty of basic provisions with you, as supermarkets in remote areas may have a limited choice and higher prices. Make sure you try some of the delicious local specialities, such as Skyr (a yogurt like dairy product), Harðfiskur (dried fish) and the famous Kjötsúpa (Icelandic lamb soup).

The road network

In Iceland the main roads are tarmac-ed and the secondary and more minor roads and gravel.

Here's what you can expect:

Route 1 (The Ring Road) - this is the main road around the island. It’s almost entirely paved and gives access to the most popular sites. Note that in summer, traffic on Route 1 can be quite heavy around the major tourist attractions. Some sections don’t have bike lanes and vehicles can travel fast, so take care!

F-roads and gravel roads - if you're planning to ride in the Highlands or other gravel roads then a sturdy gravel bike with wide, hard-wearing tyres is a must. These roads are often rugged with steep sections, fords to cross and difficult road conditions at times. Make sure you have an extensive repair kit with you, as you'll often be a long way from any bike shops. Some of the gravel roads may be closed for safety reasons at times, so check the Vegagerdin website regularly for real-time information on road conditions and any closures.

Camping and accommodation

Wild camping is not permitted in Iceland, so it’s forbidden to camp in national parks or near tourist sites. As for private land you can only camp there with the owner's permission. Luckily there is a good network of campsites, mountain refuges and small guest houses spread throughout the island - these are generally open between June and September.

Our advice: if you're planning to camp, invest in a sturdy tent capable of withstanding strong winds, as well as a sleeping bag adapted to cool temperatures, even in summer!

Explore Iceland by gravel bike with GravelUp!

Joining an adventure with GravelUp means joining a tailor-made trip carefully crafted by a passionate team. From beginners to seasoned cyclists, here at GravelUp we’re committed to offering trips for everyone. By choosing your level and duration of trip, we set off together on our custom built routes, for the ultimate gravel bike adventure in some of the most beautiful areas of France and Europe.

We take care of everything throughout your trip so that you can concentrate on the important tasks of making the most of your adventure, as well as the charming accommodation, delicious meals and side excursions that we have carefully found. That’s not all - our trips are fully guided and supported, and we also have top-of-the-range gravel bikes to rent.

So all you have to do is choose your adventure, and GravelUp will take care of the rest.

→ Find out more about Destination Iceland
→ Contact us to for a custom trip