Iceland Ring Road

Iceland’s Ring Road is one of the few motorcycle routes where the landscape constantly becomes the main event. The 1,300-kilometre circuit around Iceland connects volcanic terrain, glaciers, waterfalls, black-sand coastlines, fjords and vast open landscapes into one continuous ride. Rather than being defined by a single mountain pass or famous corner sequence, its appeal comes from the extraordinary variety packed into one complete loop.

Riding the Ring Road anti-clockwise from Reykjavík takes you first towards Iceland’s western and northern landscapes before continuing around the eastern and southern sides of the island. The road alternates between long, flowing sections and more technical stretches through fjords and mountainous terrain. Weather and wind can change the character of the ride within minutes, making adaptability just as important as finding the perfect line through a corner.

The route becomes particularly rewarding once you leave the more populated areas behind. Vast volcanic landscapes, remote coastlines and dramatic mountains create a strong sense of isolation, while places such as Lake Mývatn, the Eastfjords and the southern glacier region provide completely different riding environments. The Ring Road also offers countless opportunities to stop and explore, but the journey itself remains the central experience.

Iceland is not a route you simply ride from one destination to the next. It is a constantly changing road through a landscape that feels almost untouched, where weather, terrain and light become part of the ride.

Icelandic weather can change rapidly, and strong winds can make exposed sections surprisingly demanding on a motorcycle. Summer generally provides the most practical riding conditions and almost continuous daylight, while winter brings snow, ice, limited daylight and frequent closures. Always check current road and weather conditions before setting out, particularly around exposed coastal and mountain sections. Fuel stations become less frequent in remote areas, so refuelling whenever the opportunity arises is sensible. Gravel and loose material can also appear on road shoulders and around roadworks.

The Ride Beyond route starts and finishes in Reykjavík, travelling anti-clockwise along Route 1. The opening section heads north through the western part of Iceland, moving away from the capital towards quieter countryside and increasingly open landscapes. As the route continues north, the scenery becomes more remote, with broad valleys, volcanic terrain and mountain backdrops shaping the ride.

The northern section around Lake Mývatn provides one of the route’s major highlights, with volcanic landscapes and geothermal features creating a dramatic change from the western countryside. From here, the Ring Road continues east towards the Eastfjords, where the riding becomes more winding as the road follows the contours of the coastline and repeatedly climbs and descends around the fjords.

After the Eastfjords, the route turns south towards the Vatnajökull region and some of Iceland’s most dramatic glacial landscapes. The road then follows the southern coast past vast black-sand plains, waterfalls and rugged volcanic terrain before eventually turning west towards Reykjavík. The final section completes the circuit and brings the ride back to the capital.

The Ring Road rewards riders who leave space for the unexpected. Let the weather dictate the pace, stop when the landscape demands it and treat the kilometres between destinations as the adventure itself.