Registration closes June 1 at 7 AM GMT!

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.
    

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!