Iceland has some excellent and challenging cycling touring opportunities. The scenery is stunningly varied with many marked contrasts. From quiet rolling pastures, coastal plains of black sands, dramatic waterfalls, to the tougher desert and mountainous areas of the interior with enormous glaciers that cut right down to the sea. The interior with its wild beauty and remoteness wide vistas, big skies, amazing colours and with the complexity of Iceland’s wonderful northern light. Iceland has it all.
The Icelandic population is relatively small and although the icelandic people are generally reticent, we found them very friendly and welcoming. The climate is generally much cooler than that of mainland Europe due in part to it’s latitude and being surrounded by the cold atlantic. Weather can be varied as it can pick up the fall force of the incoming fronts rolling in from the Atlantic and cold northerly winds coming down from the arctic, so therefore be prepared for a mix of weather from sunny but cool weather to cold, strong winds and rain.
Cycle Paths in Iceland
You may find the odd piece of cycle path in Reykjavík and some of the larger towns in Iceland but they are few and far between. In some regions you are more likely to see a horse path running alongside the roads rather than a cycle path!
Cycle Routes
As far as I’m aware there are no official marked long distance cycle routes in Iceland. There are several cyclists who seem to cycle around the ring road route 1, although by doing this you will see a lot of Iceland but you will miss out the interior and the off the beaten track parts of Iceland therefore missing out a lot of what Iceland is all about. I know Iceland is expensive to get to and can be expensive while you are there, but if you are going to do it justice you have to give yourself plenty of time and be prepared to go back!
