This article is brought to you in partnership with Bikepacking Iceland.
Anyone spending time in Iceland soon discovers that getting around can be challenging. Compared with many other European countries, the island’s public transport network is relatively limited, largely because of high operating costs, a scattered population, and Iceland’s unique geography.
For this reason, many people look for flexible ways to explore the country beyond the main towns and cities. While cycling may not be the first option that comes to mind, it is increasingly becoming one of the most rewarding ways to experience Iceland.
A bicycle offers a level of freedom and independence that few other forms of transport can match. Cyclists can travel at their own pace, stop whenever a landscape catches their eye, and enjoy a much closer connection with Iceland’s dramatic natural surroundings.
From lava fields and black-sand beaches to mountain passes and remote valleys, travelling by bike allows visitors to experience the country in a more immersive and memorable way.
Cycling is also a practical choice. Bikes are inexpensive to maintain comparing to cars, require no fuel, and can often navigate routes and trails that are inaccessible to larger vehicles.
For many travellers, they provide a simple and sustainable way to explore Iceland while keeping costs down.
Although Iceland’s weather is famously unpredictable, experienced cyclists often find that a bike can be surprisingly adaptable. With the right equipment and preparation, changing conditions become part of the adventure rather than an obstacle.
It is therefore no surprise that Iceland has seen a steady growth in cycling culture in recent years. Both locals and newcomers have embraced bikepacking and long-distance touring, drawn by the opportunity to explore the country’s extraordinary landscapes in a more personal, environmentally friendly and adventurous way.
From California to the Westfjords
With a passion for adventure and long-distance bike travel, Texas-born and Westfjords-based Tyler Wacker has brought fresh energy to the local cycling community through Bikepacking Iceland — a tour company offering alternative experiences in West Iceland.
Before launching Bikepacking Iceland, Tyler tested the waters with a cycling journey that stretched across two tectonic plates, if not continents. Starting in California, he rode 11,600 kilometres before reaching his new home in Ísafjörður. Understandably, this massive journey gained the attention of the local media.
“Bikepacking Iceland began as soon as I moved to Ísafjörður in August 2020,” says Tyler.
“I was looking for a job alongside my studies and connected with a local who had a small workshop and a few bike repair tools. He repaired bikes alongside his main job, but no longer had much time for it. The transition happened naturally, and eventually I bought the tools from him and moved the workshop to a new location.”
Aligned With the Weather
The Bikepacking Iceland experience can be summed up in three words: remote, unpredictable and rewarding. It is ultimately an adventure that balances challenge with excitement. Strong winds, sudden weather changes and long stretches without shelter can make the ride demanding.
Yet the dramatic landscapes, welcoming communities in small towns, and hot pools at the end of long riding days make every challenge worthwhile.
Understanding the weather is one of the most important parts of preparing for a trip. Riders should pack warm clothing, waterproof layers, and extra gloves and socks.
If bringing your own bicycle, gravel or mountain bikes are the most suitable options. Alternatively, Bikepacking Iceland offers bike rentals and setup assistance.
The Westfjords Way
The Westfjords Way is one of Iceland’s premier cycling routes. It offers riders a true taste of the region’s dramatic zigzagging fjords, winding gravel roads, steep climbs and spectacular hot springs. It is both physically demanding and visually unforgettable.
With Bikepacking Iceland, the route can be explored through multi-day tours covering distances between 500 and 950 kilometres.
Depending on experience and preference, Bikepacking Iceland offers three styles of tour: self-supported, semi-supported and fully supported or guided. On fully supported tours, the team manages everything from route planning and logistics to accommodation and meals.
Your Basecamp in Iceland
Founded by someone with a genuine passion for cycling, Bikepacking Iceland is more than simply a tour operator. It is a community for like-minded adventurers, offering support and space for both beginners and experienced cyclists alike.
The company operates two hubs conveniently located in different parts of the country — in Keflavík and Ísafjörður. These hubs provide travellers with a place to prepare for their journey, store equipment and access local support. “Our hubs are designed for bikepackers so travellers can focus on the ride rather than the logistics,” says Tyler.
Located in central Ísafjörður, The Fjord Hub offers storage facilities, bike rentals and day tours. It is a place where riders can regroup during their journey, connect with local expertise and even do laundry if needed.
For those, who are planning to start their journey from Iceland’s major international airport, there is Keflavík Hub, just five minutes away from the terminal.
With such facilities as laundry, shower, luggage room and space to keep your bike, it’s designed to make arrival simple and stress-free.
Both hubs offer bike box services such as pickup and dropoff to respective airports airport pickup and dropoff, access to cycling gear storage and transfer to bike and repair shops in both locations if necessary.
What Travellers Say
The versatility of Backpacking Iceland is highlighted in reviews from travellers across the globe.
Joe Brew, reflecting on his cycling adventure through the Westfjords, praised the support he received from The Fjord Hub, saying they “took super good care of” him and his friends.
“From arrival, to dining, to cultural experiences, to bike fitting (not to mention his fleet of beautiful carbon gravel bikes for hire), to accommodation, to logistics, to sag-wagon support — he [Tyler] handled everything.”
Other visitors have also praised the team’s responsiveness and exceptional assistance in challenging situations.
As Oscar writes: “Unfortunately, Icelandair lost our bikes for three days; however, Fjord Hub stepped in and gave us a lift to our drop-off point so we could stay on schedule! Huge win!”
Many reviewers also highlight the practical support available to cyclists. “They carry camping stove fuel, CO₂ cartridges, rain gear and spare parts for bikepacking. I picked up wet lube, corrected an incompatible rotor, bought some windproof gloves and a great T-shirt from the shop for the trip. They run a tight ship and I can’t recommend them highly enough.”
Final Thoughts
While travelling around Iceland by car remains one of the most convenient ways to explore the country, cycling offers a far more personal, immersive and rewarding experience.
Rather than simply passing through the landscape, you become part of it. Every mile is earned through your own effort, creating a much deeper connection with the places you visit and the journey itself.
Cycling across Iceland is also a challenge that pushes both body and mind. Long distances, unpredictable weather and rugged terrain demand resilience, determination and adaptability. Yet these very challenges make the rewards all the greater.
“It can be challenging but there’s always this reward for struggling so much,” Tyler says. “Things like great scenery, nice and comfortable hotels, pure water, great food, hot tubs and many more”. It’s hard to disagree.
The scenery, in particular, is an appealing factor when choosing between a car and a bike.
Iceland’s dramatic landscapes are best appreciated at a slower pace. Travelling by bicycle allows you to notice the details that are often missed from behind a windscreen: the changing colours of volcanic terrain, the scent of wildflowers carried on the wind, the distant roar of waterfalls and the ever-shifting light that transforms the landscape throughout the day.
The journey becomes about far more than reaching a destination; it is about experiencing every moment in between.
Along the way, your bicycle becomes more than just a means of transport; it becomes a trusted companion, carrying you through moments of hardship, discovery and triumph.
Equally memorable are the people you meet. Fellow cyclists, local residents and travellers from around the world often share stories, advice and encouragement, creating connections that can last long after the journey has ended. Conversations that begin beside a campsite, in a small village café or while sheltering from the weather can develop into lasting friendships.
For those willing to embrace the challenge, cycling in Iceland offers an adventure unlike any other—one that combines physical achievement, breathtaking scenery and meaningful human connections. Few journeys are as demanding, and even fewer are as rewarding.
Find more information about Bikepacking Iceland on the official website.
