Riding in Iceland

Planning Your Icelandic Bike Adventure: The Local’s Guide

We’ve been riding these trails and showing international riders our favourite spots for nearly two decades. Before you pack your gear, here’s what to expect.

What to Know Before You Come

Iceland is a rough diamond. It’s not about sunshine and lollipops. It’s about adventure, stunning nature, excellent food, and nice people.

To see the Iceland we locals love, you need to stay flexible. Forget strict schedules, Iceland is about seizing the moment. It’s about hiking at midnight for the perfect view, soaking in a warm river at dawn, and pedalling up a mountain for the descent of a lifetime.

Respect Nature

Icelanders care deeply about the land. It is extremely important to ride on the trail at all times. Our ecosystem is fragile, so please help us preserve it.

Navigating the Weather

The weather here is famous for changing from sunshine to a snowstorm in minutes. It makes the island magical, but also dangerous.

• Solo Travellers: Check safetravel.is and vedur.is daily for weather and road conditions.

• Guided Trips: If you’re on an Icebike trip, just follow your guide’s lead. They’ll adjust the plan every morning based on trail conditions and wind.

Gear, Food, and Fuel

How you prepare for your days off the bike is just as important as the ride itself.

Choosing Your Bike

The best bike depends on what you love to ride, but here is what we recommend:

• Mountains: We love full-suspension MTB’s and E-Bike MTBs.

• Gravel Roads: We choose our carbon Santa Cruz Stigmatas.

• Rentals: We offer everything from hardtails to full-suspension "unplugged" bikes in both aluminium and carbon.

Hydration and Dining

• Water: Locals say it’s the best in the world. Tap water everywhere is perfectly safe. Many springs and rivers are fine too, but use common sense or ask a local first.

• Food in remote areas: Most of the highlands have no service at all, no restaurants or shops, so if travelling self-guided, bring your own lunch, snacks, etc.

• Local Eats: Expect high-quality fish, lamb, beef, and greenhouse-grown veggies and strawberries. Because so much else is imported, groceries and restaurants can be pricey.

• Pro Tip: Look for lunch menus at restaurants for lower rates, and we recommend the bakeries for great sourdough bread and dangerously tasty pastries.

• Grocery Shopping: Head to bonus.is for the best grocery rates.

Finding Your Way

While you’ll find plenty of routes on Strava, AllTrails, or Komoot, don’t trust them blindly. Always do additional research to make sure the trail fits your skill level and the current conditions. If you want the inside scoop, Icebike Trailcenters offer local advice on routes for all rentals, or you can just book a guided trip and let us handle the navigation.

Above all, ride safe, on trail and have FUN!