Iceland Motorcycle Tour: The Great Circumnavigation

Your Iceland motorcycle tour begins with the individual journey to Hirtshals in Denmark. In the early afternoon boarding takes place and the ferry departs for Iceland at around 11:30. Overnight on board, looking ahead to the Iceland circumnavigation by motorcycle.

A relaxed day at sea is part of every Iceland motorcycle ferry tour. Use the time on board to gather strength for the upcoming stages before Iceland comes into view the following morning.

The ferry arrives in the morning and the Iceland Ring Road motorcycle tour proper begins. Along the ring road you reach Lake Mývatn with its pseudocraters, the Dimmuborgir lava formations and the Námaskarð mud springs. A dip in the Mývatn Nature Baths rounds off the approximately 200 km stage. Overnight in/near Reykjahlíð.

Past the Goðafoss waterfall the route reaches Akureyri, capital of the north, with museums and the Botanical Garden. The day's highlight is an included whale watching tour from Akureyri. Those who want can add a detour via Húsavík. Stage approx. 80–130 km, overnight in/near Akureyri.

Today heads west through the remote Öxnadalur valley and over the Öxnadalsheiði pass. In Varmahlíð you can try Icelandic horse riding or go rafting; the historic Glaumbær turf farm lies just beyond. Around 215 km, overnight in/near Hvammstangi.

Over remote plateaus and rugged coastal stretches you reach the harbour town of Stykkishólmur with one of Iceland's finest marinas. The Snæfellsnes peninsula exploration begins here. Stage 170–200 km, overnight in/near Stykkishólmur.

The full day belongs to the Snæfellsnes motorcycle tour: the black lava beach Djúparlónssandur, the fishing villages Arnarstapi and Hellnar, and the lava cave Vatnshellir are on the agenda. An optional boat trip to the bird cliffs is also possible. Around 200 km, overnight again in/near Stykkishólmur.

From the remote west the route leads to the lively capital Reykjavík – a welcome contrast on this Iceland motorcycle loop. Along the way lies Borgarnes with its Viking grave and Settlement Museum. In Reykjavík the Harpa Opera House and the old harbour await. Stage 170–270 km.

Via the volcanic Hengill area with exciting serpentine bends, the Golden Circle motorcycle stage circles Lake Þingvallavatn and passes through Þingvellir National Park. An optional offroad Iceland detour leads via the Kaldidalur gravel road. Stage 130–200 km.

Today offers plenty of time for the main attractions of south Iceland: the Gullfoss waterfall and the bubbling Haukadalur geyser field with the Strokkur geyser. An optional detour to the highland resort of Kerlingarfjöll is possible. Stage 20–170 km, overnight again in the Golden Circle region.

Through green farmland and beneath enormous glaciers the south coast route leads to the small town of Vík on its wide black sand beach. The Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls are natural stops along the way. Around 170 km, overnight in/near Vík.

Through vast outwash plains beneath the glaciers you reach Skaftafell National Park with its arctic birch forest. A hiking trail leads to the Svartifoss waterfall with its striking basalt columns. Optional offroad detours head towards Eldgjá and Laki. Stage 170–230 km.

Below the Vatnajökull glacier the route reaches the harbour town of Höfn with its glacier panorama. Two glacier lagoons, each with its own character, are the day's highlights, alongside Diamond Beach with its stranded icebergs. Included: a Zodiac trip to the icebergs. Stage approx. 150 km.

The route leads through the remote East Fjords: the Atlantic to the right, snow-capped mountains and countless waterfalls to the left. In Fáskrúðsfjörður, explore the history linking this small town with France. Stage approx. 210 km, overnight in/near Fáskrúðsfjörður.

Across the country you reach the remote Wilderness Center, where horse riding, hiking and the Wilderness Spa are on offer. Those wanting more riding can take a detour to the small fishing village of Neskaupsstaður. Stage 110–180 km, overnight in the Egilsstaðir region.

Two route options are available: via the Stuðlagil basalt column gorge on gravel roads, or a more relaxed ride to the secluded coastal town of Borgarfjörður Eystri. A visit to the Vök geothermal baths should not be missed. Stage 200–240 km.

A short stage of around 30 km brings you from Egilsstaðir back to Seyðisfjörður, where the ferry departs at around 10:30. Overnight on board; the Iceland circumnavigation by motorcycle is drawing to a close.

One more relaxing day at sea on the return of this Iceland motorcycle tour. Let the impressions of the past stages pass by before the port of Hirtshals comes into view the following day.

At around 12:30 you reach the port of Hirtshals, where your Iceland motorcycle tour ends. With many impressions of fjords, glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls you set off for home and look back on a successful Iceland circumnavigation by motorcycle.