Photo: Gerd Eichmann ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Lava, river fords and white nights.
A full circuit of the 1,322 km Route 1 plus two forays into the interior highlands: Landmannalaugar on the F208 and the Kjölur crossing on the F35. Volcanoes, glaciers, black beaches and glacial river fords, all on twin-cylinder adventure bikes with knobbly tyres. An expensive and demanding country, and for that very reason one of the most honest motorcycle journeys anywhere.
- The F208 into Landmannalaugar and its rhyolite hills
- The Kjölur route between the Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers
- Jökulsárlón lagoon and the black beach at Reynisfjara
- Hverfjall crater and Lake Mývatn
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · 60 km, gravel warm-up
Reykjavík and bike setup
We meet in Reykjavík, collect the bikes and check guards and luggage. In the evening a 60 km ride to Þingvellir on a gravel road to test riding position and tyre pressures.
Overnight: Hotel in Reykjavík - DAY 2 · 250 km, 60 km of F-roads
The Golden Circle and Landmannalaugar
Geysir and Gullfoss, then south to Hella and up the F208 from the north: 60 km of gravel, lava fields and the first fords into Landmannalaugar at 600 m. A hot spring by the hut in the evening. About 250 km.
Overnight: Hut at Landmannalaugar - DAY 3 · 200 km, the Eldgjá fords
The southern F208 and the coast to Vík
The southern F208 through Eldgjá: several fords, sand and rock sections, the most technical stretch of the tour. Out onto Route 1 at Kirkjubæjarklaustur and west to Vík past Reynisfjara. About 200 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Vík - DAY 4 · 270 km, glaciers
Skaftafell and the glacier lagoon
East on Route 1 across the Skeiðarársandur sand plain, a stop at Skaftafell below the Vatnajökull ice cap and the iceberg-filled Jökulsárlón lagoon. Night in Höfn. About 270 km of tarmac.
Overnight: Hotel in Höfn - DAY 5 · 260 km, fjords
The Eastfjords
The twistiest part of the ring: Berufjörður and Stöðvarfjörður, a short gravel stretch over the Öxi pass at 530 m and down to Egilsstaðir. About 260 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Egilsstaðir - DAY 6 · 230 km, waterfall and volcanoes
Dettifoss and Mývatn
Across the Möðrudalsöræfi wasteland to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, on road 862. Then the Námaskarð geothermal area and Lake Mývatn with the Hverfjall crater. About 230 km.
Overnight: Guesthouse at Mývatn - DAY 7 · 280 km, the north coast
Akureyri and the Tröllaskagi peninsula
Goðafoss, Akureyri and a loop of Tröllaskagi through the tunnels and the fishing towns of Siglufjörður and Hofsós with its pool above the fjord. Night in Sauðárkrókur. About 280 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Sauðárkrókur - DAY 8 · 300 km, 170 km of F-road
Kjölur between the glaciers
The big highland day: the F35 north to south, 170 km of gravel between Langjökull and Hofsjökull, the Hveravellir geothermal site at 640 m. Almost no fords, but washboard and wind take their toll. Night near Gullfoss. About 300 km.
Overnight: Hotel near Gullfoss - DAY 9 · 130 km, bikes returned
Þingvellir and Reykjavík
An easy run to Reykjavík via Þingvellir and Lake Þingvallavatn, bikes returned and washed after the highlands. Farewell dinner in the evening. About 130 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Reykjavík - DAY 10 · Departure
Departure from Reykjavík
Breakfast, transfer to Keflavík airport or a free day in the city.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
KTM 890 Adventure R or BMW F 850 GS hire on off-road tyres
9 nights in guesthouses and hotels with breakfast
A 4x4 support vehicle carrying luggage and spares
Lead rider experienced in river crossings
Motorcycle insurance covering gravel and F-roads
Dinners at the highland guesthouses
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Fuel (around 200 euros for the tour)
Lunches and dinners in towns
Single supplement
Water damage to the bike beyond the insurance cover
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
A category A licence and confident gravel and river-crossing experience; ideally 15,000 km and at least one off-road course. Ivan gathers the group beforehand for an off-road session and checks water-crossing technique and standing riding.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.