The 250-kilometer / 155-mile course starts in the highlands between Iceland's largest glacier Vatnajokull and Langjokull, which means long glacier in Icelandic. Competitors will encounter much of the iconic Icelandic scenery with a wide range of colourful landscapes along the way.

This includes waterfalls, glaciers, lava fields, lava cliffs, black sand beaches, hot springs and geothermal areas with bubbling mud. The terrain will include rocky lava fields, jeep tracks, single track trails, dust roads, grass fields, soft sand, wet sand, rolling hills, hard lava cliffs as well as some river crossings.

During each stage checkpoints are located approximately every 10 kilometers / 6 miles along the course. 

At each checkpoint competitors must:
- Be logged on arrival by the race staff.
- Take a minimum allocation of drinking water with them for the next section.
- Abide by any instructions given by the race staff due to sudden adverse conditions (e.g. thunderstorms, sandstorms, fog, etc.). 

At each checkpoint competitors can:
- Rest for a short time and take advantage of the shade the checkpoint tent affords.
- Seek advice and treatment if appropriate from the medical doctor at the checkpoint.

Please note that adverse weather and other factors can result in changes being made to the course. 

Stage 5 is known as The Long March. This stage is planned to be approximately 70 kilometers / 45 miles, which is nearly double the length of the previous four stages.

The stage follows much the same format as the previous ones: checkpoints are located about 10 kilometers / 6 miles apart; however there is a designated overnight checkpoint. 

At the Overnight Checkpoint, there will usually be tents in which competitors can sleep as well as a campfire or stove where hot water is available for drinks and meals.