Six-day biking the less traveled trails of Iceland’s hinterlands

A moon-like mountain biking experience through some of the most unique locations in the world. The combination of the Laki volcanic region and the highlights of the southern highlands, the “Fjallabak”, take this tour through fast changing and variable landscapes. During the six days biking we visit natural treasures like the Laki craters, the Eldgjá fissure, traverse the Eldhraun lava field as well as the heart of the Fjallabak mountain area. After crossing the black deserts of Mælifelssandur we continue onwards through the hot spring areas of the colourful Landmannalaugar area where the tour finishes with a relaxing dip in the natural warm pool. Indeed a challenge for all adventurous bikers! A well equipped support vehicle stays with the group the whole time so difficulty levels can be lowered by hopping into the support car for parts of the day.



Departures:
16.07-21.07.2012 - One needed to confirm!
06.08-11.08.2012
20.08-25.08.2012


Equipment List

Physical difficulty: Demanding
Biking: 6 days
Technical difficulty: 2* (with short passage of 3)
Total distance: 260 km (160 miles)


Included: Guide for 6 days, transportation to and from Reykjavík, 4x4 support car and driver, food for 6 days (from lunch day 1 to lunch day 6), 5 nights in sleeping bag accommodation in mountain huts.
Not included: Bike, helmet and gloves. Sleeping bag.
Group size: 5 - 12 participants
Biking: Mountain biking, cross country or XC biking. For experienced bikers and people in good physical condition. The tour can easily be done on a hard tail bike as many of our participants prefer, but we recommend a light XC full suspension bike with 110 - 140 mm travel.
Trails and terrain: Mostly on the back roads of the highlands, rough jeep tracks, many unclear and unmarked but with next to no traffic of vehicles. Most of these tracks get no maintenance and are not designed for biking, neither are the sheep trails used occasionally.
Available upon request: Four-star accommodation in Reykjavík - please contact us for more information

Practical information:

Bring your own bike:  You can easily bring your own bike and we recommend that for the more technical tours.  Bikes have to be packed in bike bags or cartons before flight.  The cost for air transfer is around 25€/22£/35$.

Before you pack your bike it should be tuned and in good working condition. We strongly recommend you have your bike checked out by a respectable bike shop prior to departure. Have your bike tuned up and any worn-out parts replaced. A mountain bike of good quality and in good operating condition is essential. Our guides carry tools and a supply of spare parts suitable for use on most bikes. If your bike has special features or specifications, then you must supply your own parts and tools.

Rent a bike:  The bikes you can rent are hard tail with 120 mm/4 inch fork and 2.1 inch tires.  They do for the XC tours but for the more technical tours like “Iceland best single track” it is necessary to bring your own bike. If renting a bike and using clip less pedals, please bring your pedals and shoes!

What to bring:  On all ours tours we have a large pump and the necessary gear for general maintenance.  We have tubes, tires, normal brake pads, cables, clippies and flat pedals and even shifters for sale on the same price as in bike stores in Reykjavík. You need to bring tools and gear that is specific for your bike.   


* Technical difficulty, what to expect:
1. Good surface, short easy hills, wide path and wide turns. Good for beginners
2. Narrow paths with loose surface and gentle down steepness. Fun for all mountain bikers
3. Short steep sections, rocky paths, narrow turns, short rock steps. For experienced mountain bikers and fit bikers with little experience.
4. Longer steep sections, short very steep parts, side sloping paths, large steps and small drops. For experienced bikers only.
5. A Downhill course. Very steep sections, obligatory drops, narrow ridges. Experts only.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Package price for accommodation in Reykjavík before and after the tour:

In a guesthouse with shared facilities:

Based on double occupancy: 17.500 ISK per person (for persons traveling together, both persons have to purchase this item for it to be valid).

Single room: 24.500 ISK.

In a three-star hotel with breakfast and a private bathroom:

Based on double occupancy: 25.000 ISK per person (for persons traveling together, both persons have to purchase this item for it to be valid).

Single room: 42.500 ISK

Day 1: The lush green lava fields of Laki
The participants are picked up at their accommodation by the support vehicle that takes them to the Central Bus Station.  The participants and guide take the public bus to the starting point of the biking section.  (Only with smaller groups can we transport the whole group in the support car. Whether your bike should be left on its travel packing or reassembled also depends on the size of the group. We will let you know the details by e-mail before departure). After getting the bikes from their support vehicle we set off on the quiet mountain road.  The surroundings are green, small streams trickling down the hillsides in many different waterfalls can be enjoyed on the left hand side and the moss covered lava field on the right. The terrain is easy and gently rising.  Middle of the way we take a short detour to visit the waterfalls of the massive Hverfisfljót river.  The short  track to the waterfall is rocky and technically difficult and might require some walking during the most difficult parts. However the impressive waterfalls are well worth the extra effort.  Accommodations at the Miklafell hut, an old but cozy shepherds hut. Cold water only.  
Biking: ~ 25 km       Accent: ~ 400 m

Day 2: Winding through the craters of Laki
We leave the Miklafell hut behind and bike up through the open highlands north of the Miklafell mountain. The trail is gently climbing with great scenery over to the giant Vatnajökull glacier.  After lunch break in the open the landscape changes as the track winds through the rolling hills of the craters of Laki.  One of the craters has a beautiful lake where we can take a break, stretch our legs and enjoy the magnificent landscape on display .  The last part of the day is gently down sloping where the track leads through the extensive lava field of the Laki eruption.  Accommodation at the Leiðólfsfell hut an old and very primitive shepherds hut, cold water only.   
Biking: ~ 60 km       Accent: ~ 700 m 

Day 3: Around a gigantic vocalic fissure, Eldgjá
The third morning is quite adventurous.  We have a large river to cross, following an old track that can hardly been seen, then there is a short pass through wetland before a  technical descent to the Skaftárdalur farm where we cross the Skaftá river heading north to the “Fjallabak” highlands.  The last part of the day the biking is very interesting and to enjoy it fully it may be an option for some to accept a lift with the support vehicle for the 20 km middle section of the day.  Gathering the group together at the mouth of the Eldgjá fissure we cycle through this gigantic volcanic fissure and take a 220 m climb to the viewpoint on the northern side before heading down the track around the lake Blautulón and the long downhill run to the Skælingar hut. A great ride to end the day with. Skælingar hut is  beautifully situated in the middle of spectacular lava sculptures. An old shepherds hut that was reconstructed few years ago in its original style. It is basic but cozy, cold water only.  
Biking: ~ 65 km       Accent: ~ 1200 m

Day 4. Traversing the moonlike Mælifellssandur
We follow a pleasant track along the Skaftá river. There are two rivers to cross on this track closed to motorized traffic so we can’t hop onto the support car over the rivers.  It requires good balance to bike over the rivers and it may be an option to take river crossing shoes along. We are still riding along the gigantic volcanic fissure of Eldgjá.  The fissure erupted in 934, shortly after the first Vikings did settle in Iceland.  The fissure stretches 60 km from SW – NE reaching south to the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The view along the track makes the long climb worth wile.  During the fast descent down to Álftavatnskrókar, somebody might notice sign post presenting a mountain name, Mórauðavatnshnjúkar”.  The name is so long that the sign requires to pillars to support the signpost. The river Syðri-Ófæra is crossed on a natural stone bridge and a well compact mud track followed through the green valley.  After a low mountain pass we have to cross the Hólmsá river.  It is the only river on the tour that we recommend you to take a ride on the support vehicle. The Mælifellstindur mountain is a perfect green cone jutting out from the black sand of the desert of Mælifellssandur  We pass the mountain on the left and enter the Mýrdalssandur with the glacier dominating the view on our left hand site.  Usually the sandy tracks are compact and the bikes run easily across this moonlike landscape. Accommodation in the well equipped Hvanngil mountain hut and everyone will be thankful for the warm showers.   
Biking: ~ 65 km       Accent: ~ 900 m

Day 5. Colorful mountains and hot springs
This is really a scenic day so make sure to bring your camera. Rolling hills take us to Lake Álftavatn.  After a scenic ridge we have the first of the three crossings of the Markarfljót River.  In the small valley under the Laufafell Mountain there is small mountain lake. The road up the valley crosses the stream running from the lake several times and the path goes up the stream for a short while.  After the second crossing of the Markarfljót River we have several steep slopes to climb in to the Reykjadalur valley.  The name “Reykjadalur” means“ Smoky valley” and the name itself is evident seeing the steam rising from several hot springs in this colorful valley. After all the climbing of the day the steep descent passes too fast and from there we only have a short flat ride to the mountain hut Landmannahellir where we stay the night.  Accommodations in a comfortable mountain hut, warm showers. 
Biking: ~ 65 km       Accent: ~ 1100 m  (a difficult day where it is possible to get the “assistance” from the support vehicle on some of the steepest climbs)

Day 6. Landmannalaugar, warm bath and return to Reykjavík
Today there is only a short biking section in the morning before arriving at Landmannalaugar, the colorful thermal valley of the highlands.  After a nice relaxing bath in the warm natural pool we have lunch before heading back to Reykjavík with the public bus, arriving in Reykjavík around dinner time.
Biking: ~ 20 km       Accent: ~ 500 m 
 

Departure Date	Availability
16. Jul 2012	Available
06. Aug 2012	Available
20. Aug 2012	Available