Hey all!
Looking for some route advice for western Iceland…
I’m heading to Iceland in mid-September (14-21) and will have 6 days to ride, starting and finishing in Reykjavik. I have come up with this route, staying off main roads as much as possible and trying to get into the interior as much as I can. I can’t make much of a dent in the 6 full days I’ll have, and don’t have much time to travel to a different starting point by bus.
The route I’ve come up with includes F550 and F338, and heads in a clockwise direction from Reykjavik. Given the time of year, I’m expecting it to be a bit wild, especially in the eastern portion near Gullfoss and Haifoss.
Can anyone who’s ridden in this area (and even better, at this time of year) provide any advice please!? I’m wanting to get the best experience of Icelandic landscapes as I can in the limited time I have.
Thanks!
by bikes_bikes_
3 Comments
I’m in Selfoss right now. Did a counterclockwise loop where I went from Reykjavik to Kirkjubaejarklaustur over F-roads (through landmannalaugar). Then followed the ring road up to Akureyri, and from about there I went straight through the middle (to Selfoss) over the F35.
All I can say is the ring road around Selfoss is by far the least enjoyable and least beautiful part of Iceland I’ve seen. I see you’re avoiding it after you pass Selfoss which is a good call (I will likely do the same back to Reykjavik). Other than that: i’ve had a way, way, way better time on the F-roads than he ring roads. The gravel in general is very good quality, the views are much better, there is close to no traffic, and it’s much easier to wildcamp if that’s what you’re doing
A local here, I would highly recommend expecting heavy rain during those 6 days.
There is a dry warm emergency shelter just north of the junction of the f338 and f550. I had a brilliant night there in mid September (northern lights overnight). It was below freezing outside.
https://preview.redd.it/fr1eb0kak7jf1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7b1682fcf0ee13348943c7031f562c6a0b9fad7
[emergency shelter google map link](https://maps.app.goo.gl/kgXTyWH19nxNSg9e8)