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No Sleep ‘Til Ísafjörður: The 2023 Arna Westfjords Way Challenge
Get ready for the #Westfjords.
The remote northwestern corner of Iceland is its least inhabited and most dramatic. Shaped by wind, water, snow, and ice, the Westfjords are home to wily weather and even wilier residents (7,000 of them). Vibrant villages and family farms are tucked into the terrain, and people share the landscape with puffins, arctic foxes, seals, and whales.
Betsy WelchCheck out the full gallery and inside look at the Arna Westfjords Way Challenge from VeloNews:
Gallery: The Westfjords are the way
“Is it possible? Absolutely. Is it hard? Yes, for everyone. What’s the point? Everything you get to see, feel and experience. Instead of looking out the window or watching a movie, we get to live it. This requires discomfort, effort and perseverance.”
Lael WilcoxLael Wilcox recaps her experience at the inaugural Arna Westfjords Way Challenge.
Do It Because You Want To: The Arna Westfjords Way Challenge
“People come for the accomplishment, and there could be 1,000 other reasons why people come. But there’s something that happens at these events that is really special – there is a bond created between the people that go through hard stuff together, and a strong sense of community that builds around these events.”
David Gagnon
Pro cyclist Maghalie Rochette recorded her experience and interviews with riders each day of the race.
Listen to the full podcast collection.
Special thanks to our title sponsor Arna, a lactose-free dairy company based right here in the Westfjords. You can look forward to tasting their delicious Icelandic skyr and yogurt throughout the race week!
951 kilometers/ 591 miles around Iceland's most
beautiful and remote landscape.
The Race
The Format
The Location
BIPOC Scholarship
Register
Race Results
The Race
June 30 to July 5, 2025
This ultra-endurance stage race is the first of its kind. It’s more than a race to the finish — it’s about a meaningful interaction with people and place. You’ll be pushing your limits, but not without taking in some of the endless opportunities to learn about and interact with Icelandic culture. Between your long days in the saddle, you will visit museums, meet locals who run traditional sheep farms and take part in Icelandic traditions like hot pot soaking and sea swimming.
The full route follows the Westfjords Way – a bikepacking route established with the help of the Westfjords Tourism office and scouting team Chris Burkard, Lael Wilcox, Rue Kaladyte, Payson McElveen, and Nichole Baker. It totals 954 km [593 mi] and each stage ranges from 211 to 255 km [131 to 158 mi].
- Click here to check out the 2023 race recap.
- Learn more in the official 2025 Race Handbook.
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Click here to read about the WFWC’s vision for a new kind of race that focuses on inclusivity and cultural connection.
The Format
New for 2025: Choose from solo, pairs, or foursome!
Solo
Our solo category has been the only category before 2025. You know the format – carry your own food and spare parts but the race will transport one 30 liter bag per solo rider, plus sleep systems to reduce the carrying responsibilities of those who choose to camp. The bags may not be accessed during each stage – only at the beginning and end.
Pairs & Foursome
New for 2025 is our Pairs and Foursome categories. This format allows the race to be spread out between riders and supported through your provided car. There are no restrictions on what can be carried within the car. You can only change riders at Cultural Connections, unless you have a ride-ending event. Drivers are not allowed to interact, assist, or feed anyone who is riding. If you have a ride-ending event (such as bike failure, injury, etc.), you may accept assistant from your team where itis safe to do so and continue on if it safe to do so. You may switch bikes or any parts from one bike to another. If you receive assistant outside your own team, you will be disqualified from results. Teams are not required to switch at every Cultural Connection. Riders can choose to ride multiple legs between Cultural Connections or change at each one if they desire.
Read all of the rules in our Race Handbook.
The Location
In the remote northwest corner of Iceland you’ll find the Westfjords — a place where the landscape is shaped dramatically by nature — ice, water and wind. It isn’t the easiest place to reach, but the journey pays off when you make it to this endless untouched wilderness.
To put it into perspective, the Westfjords make up one third of Iceland’s 4,800 km (3,000 mi) coastline. The vast, treeless landscape marked by dramatic ocean views and towering mountains conjures feelings of solitude — but in the Summer, the Westfjords truly come to life. At this time of year, the fjords are inhabited by puffins, arctic foxes, seals, whales and the 7,000 people that call this place home. The coastal villages awaken as the midnight sun keeps the day’s activities going long into the night — making it a perfect time for long days of cycling.
The Westfjords may be Iceland’s most remote region, but scattered around the long stretches of unpredictable terrain you will find vibrant villages, family farms, hot pots and all the people and tradition that make the Westfjords such a unique corner of the world. The WFWC is inspired by this place, where nature shapes people and their way of life. The journey will challenge you to adapt and persevere through harsh winds, long climbs and loose gravel that will test your limits. But true to life in the Westfjords, there are always welcoming respites between the long stretches of travel where you can recover in a hot pot and chat with locals over coffee and a warm meal.
Learn more about the Westfjords here.
BIPOC Scholarship
Our vision is to host a welcoming event for everyone pushing their limits on bikes around the world, which means working to remove barriers for those who are often excluded by the cycling and outdoor recreation communities. With this in mind, the Arna WFWC will sponsor two riders that identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color) with a travel support and race entry scholarship.
Register
Registration is open now until it is sold out. Register here for the 2025 event!
Race Results
Check out the full stage breakdowns.
Schedule
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Adventure Day
Day 4
Schedule
Race Expo – June 30
Location TBD
Stage One – July 1
Ísafjörður to Hotel Laugarhóll
Stage Two – July 2
Hotel Laugarhóll to Vogur Country Lodge
Stage Three – July 3
Vogur Country Lodge to Patreksfjörður
Adventure Day – July 4
Rest and explore in Patreksfjörður
Midnight Special [Stage 4] + Finish Party – July 5
Patreksfjörður to Ísafjörður
Day 1
Stage One
- 259 km [161 mi]
- 1,670 m [5,475 ft] elevation gain
- 14% gravel
The first stage starts in Ísafjörður and ends at Hótel Laugarhóll in Bjarnafjörður. Day 1 takes you through the long meandering fjords, where you will switch from headwind to tail wind countless times throughout the day. You’ll have the option to fuel up on the world’s best waffles and soak in road-side hot pots.
The day ends at Hótel Laugarhóll. There will be served dinner and breakfast. There are two other accommodation options in the area, Svanshóll and Hvammur cottages. The campground is also just about 250 meters away. Bu the hotel is also a warm swimmingpool and a wonderful natural hot pot.
Day 2
Stage Two
- 243 km [151 mi]
- 2,340 m [7,675 ft] elevation gain
- 47% gravel
Stage 2 starts at Hótel Laugarhóll at 7.30am and ends at Vogur Country Lodge in Fellströnd. The gravel and the elevation gain both pick up with this long tour of the eastern coast of the Westfjords before heading into the West Iceland region. The route seamlessly switches between gravel and tarmac as you travel in and out of the fjords.
The day ends at Vogur Country Lodge. The hotel is the only accommodation option in the area. Like the previous day, dinner and the next day’s breakfast will be served at the hotel restaurant. You can also enjoy a hot tub there. The campground is by the hotel.
Day 3
Stage Three
- 238 km [148 mi]
- 2,570 m [8,425 ft] elevation gain
- 28% gravel
Stage 3 starts at Vogar Country Lodge at 7.30am and ends in Patreksfjörður. Today you’ll wind through some of the Westfjords most beautiful landscapes while enjoying hot pots. This day features some short punchy climbs before climbing a large mountain pass and dropping into Patreksfjörður.
Stage 3 ends in Patreksfjörður – the biggest village in the southern Westfjords with a population of around 660. Here, you can unwind from the day in an outdoor swimming pool with a view of the fjord, or the nearby natural hot pots. Accommodation for this night can be at your choice of the local hotels or campground.
Adventure Day
Adventure Day
Breakfast will be served at the race bacecamp and refreshments will be available there all day. At 5pm we will serve plokkfiskur and rúgbrauð (Icelandic fish stew and rye bread) Use the day to rest, explore Patreksfjörður, visit the swimming pool, book an excursion to the famous Westfjord landmarks Látrabjarg or Rauðisandur, or take a long nap!
At 7pm the Expo for the Midnight Special starts. Those riders will join the start at midnight.
Day 4
Midnight Special [Stage 4]
- 211 km [132 mi]
- 4,040 m [13,250 ft] elevation gain
- 60% gravel
The final stage starts in Patreksfjörður and ends in Ísafjörður. This will be the most challenging day yet, traversing four mountain passes, several river crossings and Svalvogar (a rocky gravel road cut into the side of a cliff). You will ride through some of the most dramatic scenery in the Westfjords including Dynjandi, the thunderous waterfall that is the pearl of the Westfjords.
Stage 4 ends back in Ísafjörður at the Finisher’s party in Edinborg, where the winners will be announced and the race week will come to an end.
Up to 100 new riders will also join for the midnight start to ride the final stage – the Midnight Special race, and join in the celebration at the finisher’s party. This race is a great option for people who want to join in the adventure of race week without committing to the full route.
Note that accommodations are pre-booked by the race and booking is available at the time of registration.
Questions?
Send us an email at cyclingwestfjords@gmail.com