Everything You Need to Know Before Heading into the Highlands of Iceland
- 13 hours ago
- 10 min read
Iceland’s Highlands are unlike anywhere else on earth.
For riders, this remote interior is the ultimate playground: endless volcanic landscapes, black deserts stretching toward massive glaciers, mountain tracks carved through untouched wilderness, and some of the most unique riding conditions you will ever experience.
But the Icelandic Highlands are not a normal off-road destination.
The terrain changes constantly. The weather can transform within minutes. Glacial rivers shift, winds can test even the most seasoned riders, and the famous Icelandic F-roads demand respect, preparation, and sound decision-making.
That is exactly what makes riding here so deeply rewarding.
At Arctic Trailblazers, we spend our seasons riding these landscapes, exploring new routes, monitoring trail conditions, and adapting every adventure to the reality of the Highlands on that specific day.
This guide covers what every rider should know before bringing a motorcycle into Iceland’s interior.
Understanding Iceland’s Highlands
The Icelandic Highlands cover much of the country’s interior and represent one of the last truly wild areas in Europe.
Unlike many destinations where off-road riding means pine forests, groomed single-tracks, or mountain passes, Iceland offers something completely different:
Endless volcanic sand deserts
Rough lava fields
Deep black sand valleys
Unbridged glacial rivers
Technical mountain tracks
Active geothermal areas
Vast, open landscapes with zero signs of civilisation (or mobile reception)
The sheer scale can be difficult to wrap your head around until you experience it yourself.
You can ride for hours without seeing another human soul. A trail that looks simple on a map can quickly become a serious adventure when you add Icelandic weather and changing water levels.
This is why preparation matters.
What Are Iceland’s F-Roads? (And the Unmarked Tracks Beyond Them)
Many of Iceland’s Highland routes carry an F-road designation. The “F” stands for Fjallvegur, which translates to "mountain road." These are not traditional roads as most visitors imagine them. Most are unpaved gravel tracks, rough mountain routes, or remote crossings through the interior.
The opening of Highland roads is never fixed to a calendar date. It depends on winter snowpack, ground thawing, weather, and official inspections by the Icelandic road authorities (Vegagerðin).
The Highlands must be treated with respect. Riding on closed roads or outside designated routes damages fragile ecosystems and is strictly illegal.
Beyond the F-Roads: Unmarked Mountain Tracks
What surprises many visiting riders is that the official F-road network is only part of the story.
Interspersed throughout the Highlands are numerous unmarked mountain tracks, old trails, and utility access routes that do not carry an official "F" designation on standard tourist maps. While these tracks are legal to ride if they are established, designated routes, navigating them requires a completely different level of awareness:
Variable Classifications: Some unmarked trails are significantly more technical than standard F-roads, featuring deep river beds, lava fields, and steep shale climbs.
No Official Road Monitoring: Unlike primary F-roads, these secondary tracks are rarely monitored or updated by road authorities. A track that was passable a month ago may be washed out or blocked by shifting river channels without any online warning.
The Fine Line on Conservation: In Iceland, driving off marked tracks onto untouched moss, sand, or lava is strictly illegal and carries heavy fines to protect fragile ecosystems. Distinguishing between a legitimate, historical mountain track and illegal off-track terrain requires trained local eyes.
The Golden Rule: If the Track Disappears, Turn Around
If you reach a point on the trail where you can no longer clearly see the established physical track on the ground ahead and your GPS or map overlay does not explicitly confirm a designated route beneath your tires, turn around immediately.
Continuing forward blindly in hopes of rejoining a trail further ahead almost always leads to riding over delicate, protected terrain. In the Highlands, missing a track isn't just a navigation error; it can result in heavy environmental fines and serious safety risks.
When visibility drops, the trail vanishes, or your GPS goes blank, the smartest decision a rider can make is retracing your steps to a known, visible route.
How Local Networks Actually Work
When conditions in the Highlands are unpredictable, Icelanders rely on a time-tested approach: picking up the phone. Whether calling a neighbour, a local farmer, or a ranger, the best intelligence comes from direct local networks. In Iceland, everyone knows somebody who knows somebody with eyes on the ground!
The Icelandic Weather Challenge
Ask experienced riders what surprises them most about Iceland, and many will mention the weather.
Not the terrain, but the weather.
Icelandic conditions can change quickly, especially in the Highlands where there is little or no shelter. A morning of bright sunshine can transform within 30 minutes into:
Severe crosswinds
Heavy rain and sleet
Thick fog and low visibility
Sudden, dramatic temperature drops
The famous Icelandic wind deserves special respect. Strong crosswinds can dramatically affect your line, especially on open gravel tracks and exposed mountain passes.
Riding in High Winds:
Reduce speed immediately when gusts pick up.
Stay relaxed on the bike and avoid fighting every movement of the handlebars.
Crouch low over the tank when crossing open areas to reduce your wind profile.
Park mindfully: Always park your bike facing into the wind so a sudden gust doesn't catch the fairings and blow it over on its side.
The goal is not to “beat” Iceland’s weather as that certainly cannot be done. The goal is to ride intelligently with it.
You can check official local weather updates on Veðurstofa Íslands. However, keep in mind that checking the weather here isn't a one-and-done job, in the Highlands, weather shifts fast. Never rely on a forecast more than 24 hours in advance, and always re-check conditions right before you put your helmet on
River Crossings: The Skill Every Highland Rider Needs
River crossings are one of the defining experiences of riding in Iceland. They are also one of the most misunderstood.
Many visitors imagine a river crossing as simply riding through shallow, static water. In reality, Icelandic rivers are constantly changing live systems.
Glacial rivers are heavily affected by temperature, rainfall, snowmelt, and even the time of day. A crossing that was knee-deep and easy yesterday morning may have doubled in volume by late afternoon as warm sun melts upper glacier ice. Conversely, a river that felt impassable in the evening can lower significantly by morning after cooler night temperatures slow the melt.
Before Entering a River
Stop and assess: Never rush into an unfamiliar crossing. Look for the widest sections (which are often shallower) and study the current direction.
Look for deeper channels: Darker water and smooth surface patches often indicate deep ruts or underwater drop-offs.
Walk the crossing if uncertain: If you can't see the bottom clearly, walk it first.
One bike at a time: Wait until the rider ahead has completely cleared the river before entering.
Proper Crossing Technique
Gear & Clutch: Enter in 1st gear at a smooth, steady pace. Control your speed primarily with the clutch rather than pinning the throttle.
Maintain Momentum: Keep a steady bow wave in front of your wheel without creating massive splashes.
Avoid Excessive Speed: Entering too fast pushes water directly up into the air intake, reduces control, and makes line corrections nearly impossible.
When in doubt: Walk the bike across with the engine running, or find an alternative route.
The most important river crossing skill is not bravery, it is judgment.
Watch a customer (first timer) demonstrate proper line selection and river technique
Master Iceland’s Different Riding Surfaces
One of the reasons Iceland is such an extraordinary riding destination is the sheer variety of terrain. In a single day, you can experience completely different surfaces:
Surface | Characteristics | Recommended Riding Technique |
Gravel Roads | Hard-packed to loose marble gravel | Look far ahead, keep steady momentum. |
Volcanic Black Sand | Deep, loose black sand | Stand tall, hug the tank with knees, weight back, steady throttle, more speed. |
Lava Fields | Sharp, uneven, technical rock | Slow, precise line selection; let the suspension work beneath you. |
Snow Patches | Slippery, variable resistance | Stand tall, hug the tank with knees, weight back, steady throttle, more speed, exit onto marked tracks only. |
Riding Black Volcanic Sand
Black volcanic sand is where many riders struggle initially because it behaves unlike anything they have ridden before.
When you hit deep sand:
Stand up: Hold the bike firmly between your knees while keeping your elbows loose and relaxed. Avoid fighting the front wheel.
Shift your weight back: Move your hips backward to keep the front tire light so it glides over the sand rather than digging in.
Ride your own line: While staying on the marked track, try to avoid riding directly in other riders tracks and try to line up a smoother line beside them.
Momentum is your friend: Maintain a steady, confident throttle. Speed creates stability in sand.
Stay Right: Highland Roads Are Shared Roads
One of the most vital safety rules when riding in the Highlands is simple: Always stay on the right-hand side of the track.
The Highlands may feel completely empty. You can ride for miles without seeing another soul, making it tempting to relax your lane positioning or sweep across the full width of the track.
Do not do this.
Highland tracks are shared by motorcycles, 4x4s, massive Super Jeeps, ATVs, local farmers, tour operators, and emergency services. A track that feels empty can instantly present an oncoming Super Jeep around the next blind corner.
Always expect oncoming traffic around blind hills, sharp bends, dust clouds, and rock outcrops. Respecting simple road etiquette keeps everyone safe in the backcountry.
Livestock Etiquette: Horses & Sheep
Riding with Icelandic Horses
Sharing the landscape with Icelandic horses is a highlight of riding here, but these animals require special care:
Engine noise can startle horses and make them jumpy.
When approaching horses, stop and kill your engine immediately.
Take off your helmet if you can, horses respond significantly better when they can see a human face rather than a dark visor.
Give them plenty of space, pass calmly, and wait patiently for handlers if a herd is moving.
Watch Out for Icelandic Sheep
Free-roaming sheep wander the Highlands all summer before being gathered during the autumn réttir (herding).
Sheep are notoriously unpredictable. The biggest mistake riders make is assuming a sheep near the track will run away from the bike. Often, they do the exact opposite, turning abruptly or dashing straight across the track to join a lamb on the other side.
When you see sheep near the trail: slow all the way down, expect the unexpected, and give them time.
Gear & Layering: What Óskar & Eva Wear
The best riding setup for dirt biking in Iceland isn't about wearing the heaviest, warmest gear you can find. It’s about having a versatile layering system that adapts to changing weather without being bulky or restricting your movement on the bike.
Funnily enough, we end up wearing almost the exact same setup no matter what the weather forecast says:
Thermal base layer: Merino wool or synthetic (we double up on extra cold days).
Socks: High-quality merino wool riding socks.
Protection: LEATT body armor and full knee protection.
Outerwear: KLIM weatherproof jacket and pants.
Gloves: KLIM technical riding gloves. (we carry 1-2 extra pairs in different thicknesses).
Headwear: Balaclava, a lightweight carbon helmet, and two sets of goggles (one clear for fog/rain, one tinted for bright days).
Boots: Stiff off-road enduro boots (always expect your feet to get wet during river crossings!).
Backpack: USWE Moto Hydro
Our Rule of Thumb: It is easy to open jacket vents or shed a layer if you warm up, but it is very difficult to warm back up once you get wet and cold. On rare warm days, we take our jackets off when stopped, but we carry them on the bikes at all times.
Fuel, Preparation & Planning
The remoteness that makes the interior so breathtaking also means logistics matter:
Fuel Range: Gas stations do not exist in the Highland interior. Calculate your bike’s range conservatively, as deep sand and head-winds burn fuel significantly faster than pavement. Here you can find a map of all petrol stations in Iceland and prices.
Emergency Communication: Mobile reception is non-existent across vast stretches of the interior. Carrying a satellite communication device (like a Garmin inReach) is highly recommended. Iceland's emergency number is 112
Route Monitoring: Always log your travel plans with SafeTravel.is before riding into remote areas if you are travelling solo.
The Midnight Sun Advantage
One of the magical perks of summer riding in Iceland is the midnight sun. During peak summer, daylight lasts almost 24 hours.
This opens up incredible opportunities:
Riding under golden, low-slung evening light
Enjoying completely quiet trails long after day-trippers have left
Extended adventure windows without the stress of darkness setting in
late evening rides through the volcanic silence of the Highlands remain some of our favorite memories on two wheels.
Leave No Trace: Protecting Iceland’s Wilderness
Iceland’s volcanic ecosystem is exceptionally fragile. The arctic moss that blankets lava fields can take decades, sometimes centuries, to recover if crushed by a tire.
Riding off marked tracks is strictly forbidden by Icelandic law and carries severe fines. Responsible riding means staying on designated paths, respecting closures, and leaving the wilderness exactly as you found it so future generations can enjoy it.
Should You Ride Independently or With a Local Guide?
Independent riding through Iceland is a fantastic challenge for experienced adventure riders who are comfortable managing mountain navigation, changing river depths, and mechanical repairs in remote areas.
However, joining a local guide allows you to focus 100% on the ride itself.
A local guide provides:
Real-time route adaptation: Pivoting around sudden river rises or localized wind storms.
Mechanical & Safety Support: Carrying spare parts, satellite communication, and specialized tools.
Access to Hidden Trails: Knowing which legal secondary tracks offer the best riding conditions on that specific day.
Zero Logistics Stress: Tailored bike setup, premium gear, and pre-arranged support.
Final Thoughts: Respect the Landscape, Enjoy the Ride
The Icelandic Highlands are not simply a place to ride, they are a place to experience.
The combination of volcanic landscapes, shifting weather, technical terrain, and utter silence creates an adventure unlike anything else in the world of off-road riding.
The best riders in Iceland aren't the ones who try to go the fastest. They are the ones who respect the environment, read the weather, and adapt smoothly to whatever the Highlands present.
That is what makes riding here unforgettable.
Ready to Explore the Highlands With Us?
Riding Iceland’s interior isn't about ticking off miles, it’s about experiencing the raw beauty of the highlands safely, on top-spec bikes, with routes adapted to the day's weather, conditions and your exact skill level.
Whether you are looking for a private single-day enduro adventure or a custom multi-day highland expedition, we handle the logistics, bikes, and route planning so you can focus entirely on the trail.
Explore Our Private Enduro Tours or get in touch with us to start planning your Icelandic ride.
— Eva
Co-Founder & Local Guide, Arctic Trailblazers
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