Thank you to our sponsors.
And a 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!
The Westfjords
are waiting.
960 kilometers/ 595 miles around Iceland's most
beautiful and remote landscape.
In this ultimate test of endurance, riders will battle the elements under 24 hours of daylight in the Arctic.
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.
More than Just a Race.
Click here to read about the WFWC’s vision for a new kind of race that focuses on inclusivity and cultural connection.
Save the dates: June 28 – July 3, 2022.
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 media coverage from the route.
Learn more in the official Race Handbook.
Answers to common questions can also be found in our FAQ.
Riders should arrive in Ísafjörður no later than the afternoon of June 28. The race expo will be held in the afternoon into the evening, but you’ll want to give yourself enough time to settle in, double check all your gear and get a good night’s rest before the race starts on June 29.
Most riders will likely also choose to stay through the night of July 3 so they can enjoy the jump into the harbor, the after party and another good night’s rest. And of course, you are encouraged to extend your trip to explore the rest of this beautiful region and country!
Getting Here
Note that Keflavik International Airport is 40 minutes away from Reykjavik and the Reykjavik domestic airport.
Once you arrive at the international airport, you have a few options to arrive in Ísafjörður.
- By plane
- IcelandAir offers two direct, 45 minute flights a day. Book them here. The race also requires carbon offsets to be purchased through IcelandAir or other carbon offsetting programs for their international and domestic flights. Assembled bikes may be rolled onto IcelandAir but riders are responsible for ensuring there is adequate space. Please note that the domestic airport is 40 minutes from Keflavik International Airport and you must self-transfer.
- By car
- The drive from the international airport to Ísafjörður is about 6.5 hours. You might take this opportunity to ease into Iceland and get a preview of the roads you will be riding! Ridesharing is encouraged and can be coordinated amongst participants through the Facebook group. Car rentals can be coordinated from Keflavik International Airport.
- By bus
- There is summer bus service between Reykjavík and Ísafjörður. The bus ride requires two transfers and arrives to Ísafjörður in the late evening. Bicycle accommodation should be confirmed with the bus service. Note that you must self-transfer from Keflavik to Reykjavik to catch the bus.
- By bike
- Keflavik International Airport has a Bike Pit with basic tools to assemble your bike [allen keys, screwdrivers, air pump; bring your own pedal wrench]. You may choose to take the scenic route and shake-out ride from the international airport to Reykjavik or beyond. Cardboard bike boxes are commonly left at the Bike Pit while riding the country. It is likely, though not guaranteed, that there will still be a cardboard bike box there when you return.
- Keflavik International Airport has a Bike Pit with basic tools to assemble your bike [allen keys, screwdrivers, air pump; bring your own pedal wrench]. You may choose to take the scenic route and shake-out ride from the international airport to Reykjavik or beyond. Cardboard bike boxes are commonly left at the Bike Pit while riding the country. It is likely, though not guaranteed, that there will still be a cardboard bike box there when you return.
Upon arrival to Ísafjörður, the race will provide space and tools to assemble bikes if they are not already assembled. The race will provide storage for bike boxes and bags at no additional fee.
More info on travel to/ around the Westfjords can be found here.
Accommodations
Accommodations vary from day to day and all bookings, including camping, must be completed through the individual accommodation providers. Prices vary by location but riders should anticipate around 2.000isk [€14] per night for camping and at least 15.000isk [€100] for hotel accommodation. The race has reserved a block of beds for 20-50 people at hotels in Ísafjörður and at the end of each stage. In the spirit of equal opportunity, accommodation details and booking instructions will be emailed to all registered riders on January 28. A Facebook group will be opened with registered participants to coordinate accommodation and other plans.
The race does not assume liability for rider’s accommodation.
Applications have closed for the 2022 WFWC BIPOC Scholarship. Thank you for applying. Learn more about our BIPOC rider scholarship here.
All riders are required to read and agree to the rules and regulations listed in the official race handbook before registering.
Registration is now open. Click here to register!
4 stages.
5 days.
More than just a race.
Check out the full stage breakdowns.
June 28
Race Expo.
June 29
Stage 1. Ísafjörður to Hótel Laugarhóll
June 30
Stage 2. Hótel Laugarhóll to Vogar Country Lodge
July 1
Stage 3. Vogar Country Lodge to Patreksfjörður
July 2
Adventure Day. Explore at your own pace before Stage 4’s midnight start
July 3
Stage 4 + Finish party. Patreksfjörður to Ísafjörður
June 29
Stage Highlights
- 255 km [158 mi]
- 2,286 m [7,500 ft] elevation gain
- 11% unpaved
The first stage starts on June 29 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 until 10pm. After 10, food will be set aside for any riders that arrive later. Breakfast will be provided in the morning before starting Stage 2.
June 30
Stage Highlights
- 245 km [152 mi]
- 2,355 m [7,725 ft] elevation gain
- 30% unpaved
Stage 2 starts on June 30 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 will be available at the hotel restaurant until 10 pm. There will also be food set aside for any riders that arrive later. Breakfast will be provided in the morning before starting Stage 3.
July 1
Stage Highlights
- 248 km [154 mi]
- 2,758 m [9,050 ft] elevation gain
Stage 3 starts July 1 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. Like the previous days, dinner will be served until 10 pm, and food will be set aside for any riders arriving later. Accommodation for this night can be at your choice of the local hotels or campground.
July 2
On July 2, 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 July 3, 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.
July 3
Stage Highlights
- 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). Be sure to double check the tide tables, as it can be unsafe to pass during high tide when water covers the road. 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 with your official time ending once you jump off the harbor into the ocean! The jump is a tradition started by Chris, Lael, Payson, Nichole and Rue when they rode the Westfjords Way, and we’re excited to make it an ongoing tradition for the race. Next, get dried off and meet us for the finish party at our local brewery and celebration where the winners will be announced and the race week will come to an end.
Who's coming?
We are proud to present a team of accomplished Icelandic and international athletes.
Maria Ögn Guðmundsdóttir (She/her)
Location: Iceland
Katrin (Kata) Pálsdóttir (She/her)
Location: Iceland
Bergur Benediktsson (He/him)
Location: Iceland
Ingvar Ómarsson (He/him)
Location: Iceland
Alyssa Gonzalez (She/her/they)
Location: United States
Brooke Goudy (She/her)
Location: United States
Lael Wilcox (She/her)
Location: United States
Jalen Bazile (He/him)
Location: United States
Chris Burkard (He/him)
Location: United States
Payson McElveen (He/him)
Location: United States
Questions?
Send us an email at cyclingwestfjords@gmail.com