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4 stages.
5 days.
More than just a race.
June 27 - July 2, 2023
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!
Get ready for a 1,000 km adventure under the midnight sun.
960 kilometers/ 595 miles around Iceland's most
beautiful and remote landscape.
The Location
The Race
BIPOC Scholarship
Register
2022 Results
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.
The Race
Save the Dates for the 2023 Arna Westfjords Way Challenge!
June 27 – July 2
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 960 km [595 mi] and each stage ranges from 220 to 255 km [130 to 160 mi].
- Click here to check out the 2022 race recap.
- Learn more in the official 2023 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.
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.
2023 Scholarship lottery applications are now closed. Thank you for applying! Learn more about the scholarship here.
Register
General registration is now open! Reminder that BIPOC and gender category restrictions end on January 11, and any remaining tickets will be open again to the public. Learn more in our Race Vision.
Save the Dates for the 2023 Arna Westfjords Way Challenge!
June 27 – July 2
Aligning with our mission to make sure everyone has an opportunity to experience the Westfjords on a bike, registration will open early for Icelandic and BIPOC riders, followed by general registration. To learn more about the “why” behind our registration process, read our race vision here.
Registration Categories:
- 40 Icelandic (20 men, 20 women/ non-binary)
- 10 BIPOC (5 men, 5 women/ non-binary)
- 50 General (25 men, 25 women/ non-binary)
*We use the term women in the broadest definition to include cis, trans, or any female-identifying persons.
* These categories are for registration purposes only. A rider survey will be conducted to determine the preferred competition format of the registered riders.
Registration Dates:
- Early registration for Icelandic + BIPOC riders: Opens October 12 at 18:00 GMT
- General registration: Opens October 19 at 18:00 GMT
- Category restrictions: Ends on January 11 at 18:00 GMT
*Category limitations will remain in place until 18:00 GMT on January 11. At that time, any unfilled registrations will be open again to the general public without restrictions.
Ready to register?
All riders must read through the 2023 race Handbook prior to registering to ensure they are up for the challenge and understand their responsibilities on and off the race course.
2022 Results
Check out the full stage breakdowns.
Schedule
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Adventure Day
Day 4
Schedule
June 27 Race Expo
Dokkan Brugghús in Ísafjörður
June 28 Stage One
Ísafjörður to Hotel Laugarhóll
June 29 Stage Two
Hotel Laugarhóll to Vogur Country Lodge
June 30 Stage Three
Vogur Country Lodge to Patreksfjörður
July 1 Adventure Day
Rest and explore in Patreksfjörður
July 2 Stage Four Midnight Special + Finish Party
Patreksfjörður to Ísafjörður
Day 1
June 28 Stage One
- 255 km [158 mi]
- 2,286 m [7,500 ft] elevation gain
- 11% unpaved
The first stage starts in Ísafjörður and ends at Hótel Laugarhóll near Dragsnes. 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. This is in a remote part of the Westfjords, and the hotel/campsite is the main accommodation option in the area. Riders can relax at the end of the day in the pool, hot pot, lounge and cozy cafe where dinner will be served.
Day 2
June 29 Stage Two 245 km [152 mi]
- 2,355 m [7,725 ft] elevation gain
- 30% unpaved
Stage 2 starts at Hótel Laugarhóll 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 main accommodation option in the area. Like the previous day, dinner and the next day’s breakfast will be available at the hotel restaurant.
Day 3
June 30 Stage Three
- 248 km [154 mi]
- 2,758 m [9,050 ft] elevation gain
Stage 3 starts at Vogar Country Lodge and ends in Patreksfjörður. Today you’ll wind through some of the Westfjords most beautiful landscapes while enjoying local farms and 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
July 1 Adventure Day
Take a rest and explore at your own pace. Explore Patreksfjörður, book an excursion (or ride!) to the famous Westfjord landmarks Látrabjarg or Rauðisandur, or take a long nap!
The recommended start for Stage 4 is at midnight the next day, so plan accordingly! Due to the midnight start, no additional accommodations are planned for this night, but you may leave your tent at the campsite if you need to return to it at any point before starting the next stage.
*Note: In the case of inclement weather, this day may be moved at the race directors’ discretion.
Day 4
July 2 Stage Four Midnight Special
- 211 km [131 mi]
- 3,833 m [12,575 ft] elevation gain
- 65% unpaved
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 at Dokkan Brugghús, where the winners will be announced and the race week will come to an end. Then, join in for a celebratory pier jump in the harbor to solidify your Westfjords Way ride – a tradition started by Chris, Lael, Payson, Nichole and Rue when they first rode the Westfjords Way.
100 new riders will also join for the midnight start to ride the final stage in this year’s first Stage Four 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.
Questions?
Send us an email at cyclingwestfjords@gmail.com