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Cycling through Iceland offers a different way to experience the country: slow enough to notice the details, but adventurous enough to feel the elements. From lava fields and mountain passes to quiet villages and wide-open coastlines, travelling by bike lets you connect with the landscape in a simple, honest way.

Here we share the routes that became our favourites along the way. Whether you’re planning your first ride or looking for new inspiration, we hope our highlights help you enjoy Iceland on two wheels as much as we do.

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At a glance

Compare the routes

#RouteDistanceTimeDifficultyWhen to go
01The Ring Road~1,330 km15–20 daysMarch–November02The Golden Circle~230–250 km3–5 daysMarch–November03The Fjallabak highland track~300 km~5 days ridingJuly–September04The Great Divide~550 km7–10 daysJune–August05The Snæfellsnes Peninsula loop~270–350 km5–7 daysMay–October06The remote Westfjords region~500–600 km7–12 daysJune–August07North Iceland & Diamond Circle~250–300 km4–6 daysJune–September
01

The Ring Roador selected sections

Moderate to tough due to long stretches and unpredictable weather

The Ring Road is Iceland’s big lap: 1,330 km of “wow, look at that!” moments stitched together by long empty stretches and sheep cheering you on from the sidelines. It’s the kind of ride where you curse the headwinds, love every waterfall, and finish feeling like you’ve cycled through another planet.

Distance~1,330 km~826 mi
Time15–20 days
Starting pointReykjavík, heading clockwise or counter-clockwise
Bike typeTouring bike (hybrid or mountain bike) or gravel bike
When to goMarch–November
AccommodationCampsites, hostels, guesthouses and farm stays (summer booking recommended)
Highlights
Seljalandsfoss & SkógafossJökulsárlón glacier lagoonDiamond BeachVatnajökull National ParkSeyðisfjörðurLake MývatnGoðafossAkureyriSnæfellsnes detours
ReykjavíkVíkJökulsárlónHöfnEgilsstaðirMývatnAkureyriBorgarnes 01
The Ring Road
02

The Golden Circle

Easy to moderate, with manageable distances with some hills and wind

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s “greatest hits” tour, with geysers bursting, waterfalls roaring and scenery changing faster than your legs can complain. It’s a small loop with a big personality, perfect for a short adventure that still feels epic.

Distance~230–250 km140–155 mi
Time3–5 days
Starting pointReykjavík, looping through Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss
Bike typeTouring bike (hybrid or mountain bike) or gravel bike
When to goMarch–November
AccommodationCampsites, guesthouses, hotels and farm stays (summer booking recommended)
Highlights
Thingvellir National ParkGeysir geothermal areaGullfoss waterfallKerið craterSecret LagoonRolling countryside views
ReykjavíkÞingvellirGeysirGullfossSecret LagoonKerið 02
The Golden Circle
03

The Fjallabak highland track

Rated ~7/10: high physical demand, moderate technical difficulty; expect some hike-a-bike and water crossings

The Fjallabak Track is Iceland’s wild side on two wheels, a rollercoaster through lava fields, glacial plains, neon-colored mountains and valleys that feel like they forgot people exist. One minute you’re crunching over black sand deserts, the next you’re coasting through lush green valleys or soaking in secret hot-pots.

Distance~300 km~185 mi
Time~5 days riding
Starting pointHvolsvöllur
Bike typeGravel bike or mountain bike
When to goJuly–September
AccommodationCampsites, mountain huts
SurfaceRoughly 95% unpaved, mostly gravel / dirt roads and tracks, very little singletrack (~4%)
Highlights
Landmannalaugar rainbow mountainsBlack volcanic plainsStrútslaug hot springÁlftavatn valleyLava fieldsGlacier views
HvolsvöllurLandmannalaugarStrútslaugÁlftavatn 03
The Fjallabak highland track
04

The Great Dividecrossing Iceland’s interior

Hard: remote terrain, river crossings, rough surfaces and big weather exposure

The Great Divide slices straight through Iceland’s interior on a ride across ash plains, glacier shadows, empty deserts and highland tracks where the only company might be the wind. It’s remote, raw, and beautifully simple: just you, your bike and a horizon that barely moves.

Distance~550 km~340 mi
Time7–10 days
Starting pointEither Vík or Akureyri
Bike typeGravel bike or mountain bike
When to goJune–August
AccommodationMountain huts, limited campsites and wild camping
Highlights
Crossing the highlandsBlack desert plainsGeothermal areasGlacier viewsLong empty tracksHot springs & silence
VíkLandmannalaugarNýidalurLaugafellAkureyri 04
The Great Divide
05

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula loop

Easy to moderate, mostly paved roads with some rolling climbs and coastal winds

The Snæfellsnes Loop is Iceland in miniature: glaciers, cliffs, fishing villages, lava fields and ocean views all squeezed onto one dreamy peninsula. It’s the kind of ride where every corner feels like a new postcard, crowned by the mysterious Snæfellsjökull glacier looming over the western tip.

Distance~270–350 km168–217 mi
Time5–7 days
Starting pointBorgarnes
Bike typeTouring bike, gravel bike
When to goMay–October
AccommodationCampsites in most villages, guesthouses, farm stays
Highlights
Snæfellsjökull National ParkArnarstapi & Hellnar sea stacksBlack sand beachesStykkishólmurGrundarfjörðurVolcanic cratersWildlife & ocean views
BorgarnesArnarstapiSnæfellsjökullGrundarfjörðurStykkishólmur 05
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula loop
06

The remote Westfjords region

Moderate to hard, with big elevation days, remote sections and gravel roads

The Westfjords Loop is Iceland’s wild frontier of long fjords, steep climbs, gravel stretches and tiny villages tucked between mountains and sea. It’s remote, raw and ridiculously beautiful, where every descent drops you to the ocean and every climb gifts another jaw-drop view.

Distance~500–600 km310–370 mi
Time7–12 days
Starting pointHólmavík
Bike typeGravel bike or mountain bike
When to goJune–August
AccommodationCampsites, guesthouses, farm stays and occasional hotels
Highlights
Dynjandi waterfallEndless fjord coastlinesQuiet fishing villagesArctic fox countryHellulaug hot springSeaside gravel climbs
HólmavíkÍsafjörðurDynjandiPatreksfjörðurHellulaug 06
The remote Westfjords region
07

North Iceland & Diamond Circle

Moderate, with some climbs, wind exposure and longer stretches between services

The Diamond Circle takes you through Iceland’s dramatic north, with waterfalls roaring into canyons, steaming geothermal fields, black craters and coastline that feels almost Arctic. It’s a ride full of big landscapes and big energy, with quiet roads and long horizons that make every pedal stroke feel wide open.

Distance~250–300 km155–186 mi
Time4–6 days
Starting pointHúsavík or Lake Mývatn, often riding it as a loop
Bike typeTouring bike, gravel bike
When to goJune–September
AccommodationCampsites, guesthouses and hotels clustered around towns
Highlights
Goðafoss waterfallÁsbyrgi canyonDettifossMývatn geothermal fieldsWhale watching in HúsavíkLunar-like lava landscapes
HúsavíkÁsbyrgiDettifossMývatnGoðafoss 07
North Iceland & Diamond Circle

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