Conquer the rugged Westfjords Way on a self-guided gravel adventure that blends the grit of bikepacking with a professional logistical safety net. Navigate 558 km of Iceland’s most remote coastline and high plateaus, from the cliff-clinging Svalvoga ‘Dream Road’ to the thundering Dynjandi waterfall. With a professional bike assembly base at our Fjord Hub, pre-booked guesthouses and farm stays, and a crucial mid-tour luggage drop on Day 5, you have the freedom to ride light and fast through a landscape that feels like another planet. We call this one “Bikepacking Light.”
DATES BY REQUEST
This tour runs on dates of your choosing. Select your preferred start date when you book and our team will confirm availability with you. Please allow at least 2 weeks’ notice.
Rated 4 out of 4 our Epic tours are designed for people who train 3 or 4 times a week and are looking to push themselves on back to back challenging days on the bike. Riders should be confident riding in a small group, comfortable on extended climbs (at your own pace) and have good bike handling skills on corners and descents. E-bikes are available on all of our tours.
Your adventure begins in the heart of the Westfjords. Our team will transfer you from Ísafjörður airport to the Fjord Hub. This is your professional base for bike assembly and route consultation. In the afternoon, enjoy a shake-out ride up to Bolafjall. On clear days, the views stretch as far as Greenland. Return to Ísafjörður for your first night in the fjords.
Leave civilization behind and pedal east along the winding coastline of Ísafjarðardjúp. The scale of the landscape is immediate; steep mountains drop straight into the sea, and the silence is only broken by the arctic wind. Navigate the deep indentations of the fjords on your own schedule. Your destination is a remote oasis—soak tired legs in natural hot springs under the midnight sun.
The route turns inland today, crossing high plateaus that feel like another planet. Expect rugged gravel tracks and wide-open vistas where the horizon stretches toward the Drangajökull glacier. This is raw, beautiful, and authentic bikepacking. Spend the night at a traditional family-run farm in the valley of Djúpidalur—a rare opportunity to experience local life in Iceland’s most secluded corner.
Descend from the highlands toward the southern shores. The terrain shifts to offer dramatic canyon views and challenging climbs that reward you with panoramas over Breiðafjörður bay. The riding is technical and exhilarating on shifting gravel surfaces. Finish the day at Flókalundur and relax in the geothermal waters of Hellulaug, located right on the shoreline. You’ll get a bag drop at your hotel tonight, should you need it!
Prepare for the headline act. The route takes you past Dynjandi, the “Jewel of the Westfjords.” This thunderous waterfall dominates the landscape. The climb away from the falls is an iconic gravel sector featuring steep gradients and breathtaking exposure. Descend into the “Viking village” of Þingeyri and enjoy the cycling-friendly atmosphere of your boutique guesthouse.
The final riding day offers no easy finish. Tackle the legendary Svalvoga route, often called the “Dream Road.” The track is carved into cliffs between the mountains and the sea. This is spectacular coastal riding at its most remote. Navigate the rugged shoreline before the final push back to Ísafjörður. Return to the Fjord Hub to celebrate a successful circumnavigation.
Enjoy a final Icelandic breakfast before your transfer back to Ísafjörður airport. You leave with the satisfaction of having tamed the Westfjords Way—one of the last great wildernesses in Europe is now part of your cycling story.
This is a true bikepacking-style, self-guided expedition designed for self-sufficient riders. The route is physically demanding and technically challenging. You must be fully capable of handling your own basic roadside bike maintenance, punctures, and mechanical adjustments in remote areas. While we provide an essential emergency support network and live GPS tracking, on-route remote assistance is strictly for emergencies. You should approach each day prepared, resilient, and ready to navigate the wild elements of the Westfjords independently. This is a proper adventure!
Hotels shown are examples and are subject to change
Hotel Torg is centrally located in Ísafjörður, on Silfurtorg, and offers a restaurant and bar with a panoramic view of the fjord and surrounding mountains.
Modern, bright and beautifully furnished rooms with a view over Pollinn or over Ísafjarðardjúp and Snæfjallaströnd.
Discover the Westfjords of Iceland and the valley of Heydalur, a place of great beauty and peacefulness.
Appreciate comfort in the middle of wild untouched nature.
Djúpidalur is a picturesque sheep farm and guesthouse located by the stunning Highway 60, offering travelers a unique camping experience.
Kex Þingeyri offers a gateway to Iceland’s natural wonders. Whether you seek thrilling activities like horseback riding, buggy tours, kayaking, or scenic hikes through the dramatic landscape, there’s something for every explorer.
Available upon request
Ask us about available bikes to rent for this tour. We recommend an adventure style gravel bike, with a relaxed geometry, 47c tyres and plently of gears for the climbs.
During the past 10 years, Mario has lived in different countries, but now he’s back home in Conegliano to ride every steep hill in the area! Despite his focus on road cycling, he’s had some amazing moments with his beloved steel gravel bike! Mario has been a member of the ESC Team since 2019 and couldn’t be happier! He looks forward to seeing you on the road soon!
Originally from Cardiff, Gethyn is a well-balanced guide who loves the social side of cycling. Whether he’s talking endlessly about the world or enjoying a “marriage made in heaven” (cold beer and pork scratchings), he finds his peace on the road between Tossa and Sant Feliu or swimming in a forest river.
Welcome the land of fire and ice. Iceland is a country of outstanding natural beauty with steep rocks, crevasses, boiling hot springs, glaciers, and ocean beaches. With a tiny population of just under 390,000 people, Iceland is a haven for relaxation, rejuventation & adventure. The best time to ride is late May to early September when a cool summer breaks the harsh winter.
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