Description
Enjoy riding in some of the lesser travelled parts of Iceland. This is a tour around the West Fjords of Iceland with a stop by at the western-most point of Europe. The West Fjords is the name of the large peninsula on the northwestern part of the country. The fjords are known for their mountainous and spectacular landscape, their sparse population and isolation due to hard communications by land. In spite of this the West Fjords can still be considered one of Iceland’s secrets and on this tour untouched nature, uninhabited fjords, waterfalls, birdlife, steep cliffs and tranquility can be enjoyed among many other things. On the latter part of the tour you will also take a sneak peek into the highlands and finish off by visiting Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions that form a part of the Golden Circle (Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir and Thingvellir National Park).
- Surface: 30% gravel / 70% paved road
- Difficulty: Experienced riders. Suitable for pillions.
- Riding Distance: Around 1350 km (around 500 km are on gravel roads and highland roads)
- Dates: Ride from May to September, depending on weather conditions.
Highlights
- Discover one of Iceland’s lesser travelled roads and regions
- Whalefjord – a motorcyclist’s paradise
- Steingrímsfjardarheidi – a long and climbing mountain route famous in Icelandic folklore
- Latrabjarg – the highest cliff in Iceland and the habitat of millions of birds of different species
- Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir and Thingvellir National Park – Part of Iceland’s ‘Golden Triangle’
What you get
- GPS route (.GPX file)
- Detailed route notes
- Hotel and guesthouse accommodation suggestions
- Suggestions for the best food and sights along the route
What else we can help with
In addition to the route notes, our sister business Yellow Yeti Travel is a fully insured tour operator and can help with:
- Westfjord Adventure (Iceland) self-guided tour
- Motorcycle rentals in Iceland
- Customised routes & notes
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival
Arrive and check in to your hotel. Evening at your leisure.
Day 2 – Whalefjord
Heading west you ride the fjord which is often referred to as the motorcyclist’s paradise; Whalefjord. You can have lunch in the small town of Borgarfjordur, where those who are interested in the Viking heritage saga, can have a look around the Settlement Center. You will then ride out to Snaefellsnes peninsula, possibly best known for it’s supposedly healing, mystical, but sadly, melting rapidly glacier Snaefellsjokull, which sits quietly at the end of the peninsula. This ride is both on paved roads as well as dirt roads along the peninsula and around the glacier and capture the energy and magnificent scenery. You will spend the night on the peninsula in a place whose restaurant specialises in seafood dishes.
Day 3 – Enter the West Fjords
After breakfast you ride straight to the beautiful village of Stykkisholmur where you will take a ferry and sail in between hundreds of little islands, all the way over to the West Fjords. Here you will ride to the highest cliff in Iceland and the western-most point of Europe, Latrabjarg. The cliffs of Latrabjarg are the habitat of millions of birds of different species. You’ll ride along a few fjords until you reach Bildudalur where you will spend the night.
Day 4 – Fjords-Day!
This day can be called “Fjord-day” for it will be dedicated to riding from one fjord to the other, taking in the nature, the atmosphere, the people and as much of what the West Fjords have to offer. You will end this day in Reykjanes, located in one of the fjords.
Day 5 -Steingrímsfjardarheidi & more
From Reykjanes you take quite a long and climbing mountain route called Steingrímsfjardarheidi. Icelandic folk tales imply that the troll Kleppa originally made a walking path where the road lies now, with the help from her horse Floki. This route is often blocked during winter due to hard weather conditions and snow. After coming down from the mountains you take a small detour and stop by in the very small village of Drangsnes. You will say our goodbyes to the Westfjords and head inland riding through the countryside until you reach our destination for the night, the farm-hotel Hraunsnef.
Day 6 – Highlights of the Golden Triangle and Depart
On your last day of riding you will head further inland crossing a part of the highlands to enjoy the unique and sometimes alien landscape. The roads out here are mostly gravel. You have a chance to stop at Gullfoss-waterfall and at the geyser Strokkur (active geyser just a few meters from the famous Geysir, spouting every 10 minutes). Your last stop, before arriving back in the capital, will be at Thingvellir National Park, which is a site of cultural, historical and geographical importance known for it’s beautiful and unique landscape. You’ll arrive in Reykjavik in the afternoon.
