Discover some of Iceland´s best hidden treasures, such as the colourful formations of the Gjastykki volcanic region and the beautiful area of the Jökulsá National park. We´ve combined the best scenery with the least used trails so you can enjoy the pristine nature while riding through the wide open spaces. The tour is fully guided in English, is vehicle assisted and your luggage is transported.
Accommodation is at a country guesthouse and mountain hut and includes full board.As this tour starts and ends by Lake Myvatn, for an extra charge it´s possible to get a transfer from Akureyri Airport to Mývatn early morning, 8:30am on the first day, thus arriving just in time for the meeting at 10am. On the last day there´s also the option to get a transfer from Myvatn to Akureyri Airport at 3pm, arriving in Akureyri at 4:30pm. If you plan on coming to the area the day before the tour starts, or want to extend your stay, please let us know and we´ll be only too happy to help you find accommodation.
Important:

• Hike and bike for 5 days

• Hike and bike time around 5-8 hours per day

• Level moderate

• Tour starts and ends by Lake Myvatn

• No minimum participants, maximum 12

What to bring:

• Can bring own sleeping bag and bike

 
Minimum age:
Minimum age is 15 years old, only if the teenager has experience in mountain biking
Day 1: Krafla Volcano, Gjastykki lava field, Oxarfjord
Meet your group at basecamp, located in the Lake Mývatn area, around midmorning. After a helmet fitting your adventure kicks off with a drive to the hot springs of Hverir. After a short break exploring bubbling mud pools and hissing fumaroles we continue along Hliðardalur valley to the geothermal power plant of Krafla, learning all about the volcanic activity of the area and how it´s ingeniously harnessed to produce electricity. Next we drive to the crater Víti or Hell, where your cycling starts. The first hour is rough terrain and you’ll climb up a few hills to Hreindýrahöll, from where the route descends to the rugged landscape of Gjástykki. After lunch we continue on mud-packed trails through the rolling hills down to Öxarfjörður fjord where you’ll stay for the next two nights.
Distance: 43 km biking.
Surface conditions: Rough trails, mud-packed trails and asphalt.
Day 2: Asbyrgi Canyon and Echo Cliffs After breakfast we cycle along the asphalted road to Asbyrgi canyon for an exploration of this amazing formation. Here you’ll leave the bikes and start your hike to the Echo Cliffs formations. Your assistance vehicle will transport the bikes while you hike to Vesturdalur. After lunch it´s back on the bike for an invigorating ride down the green hills to the fissure separating the American and Eurasian continents. From here there´s an easy ride home.Distance: 38km biking, 13km hiking on trails.
Surface conditions: Asphalt, mud-packed trails.
Day 3: Rolling Hills, Heaths and Hot SpringsAfter breakfast we say goodbye to the farmer´s cottage and start the day by cycling along the paved road to the west. After a few kilometers we leave the road and start our journey up Bláskógaheiði heath. The trail winds its way through bushes and rocks up to Beinaklettur cliff where Þeistareykir valley opens up. The trail along Mount Ketilfjall makes for a fun ride to the hot spring area of Þeistareykir where you’ll find the primitive mountain hut we spend the night in. Tonight you´ll sit down to a typical feast in the mountains and enjoy the soothing serenity of the Icelandic wilderness.
Day 4: Lava trails of the NorthWe start the day by hiking up to Bondhöll pass, from where the trail cuts between the mountains and on to the magnificent crater of Litla Víti, a spectacular 75-meter vertical drop into the ground. After a short break we continue to the boundary line separating the divergent continental plates. Here you get to cycle along the rift valley between the plates filled with black lava from the eruption in 1984. After lunch we traverse the pitch black lava field and get a chance to cycle on the amazing lava trail. In the afternoon you´re rewarded with a fantastic view of Lake Mývatn as you wind your way down through the rolling hills back to civilization and your accommodation for the night. In the evening we enjoy a relaxing bathe in the Mývatn Nature Baths to ease your muscles after a great day’s cycling. Transfer both ways.
Day 5: The Pearls of Lake MyvatnHeading off after breakfast, we cycle along the shores of Lake Mývatn to the Höfði peninsula, renowned for its birdlife and beautiful formations. From here we continue to Dimmuborgir, or the Dark Citadel, where we take a relaxing walk through the weird and wonderful lava shapes, some of which look like giant trolls turned to stone by the sun´s rays. After lunch we cycle to the famous crater of Hverfjall, climbing up to the crater´s rim for a breath-taking view of the entire Mývatn region. We return to base camp in the afternoon.Distance: 28 km biking, 7km hiking on trailsSurface conditions: Asphalt and gravel

Included

• 5 day guided mountain bike tour with English speaking guide
• 4 nights accommodation at country guesthouse and mountain hut (bring own sleepingbag)
• Full board from lunch day 1 to lunch day 5
• Assistance vehicle and luggage transport