mountain bike Iceland
TECTONIC TREASURES
DEtails:
2024 DATES: August 10-17, 2024
2025 DATES: August 9-16, 2025
Duration: 7 Nights, 8 Days
Joining In: Reykjavik, Iceland
Land Cost: $3595 USD/person | Currency Conversion
Single room supplement: $325 USD (*available two nights)
Activity Level: Intermediate+ | more info »
Mountain bike Iceland and intimately experience otherworldly landscapes on this epic point-to-point hut adventure, the only one available in Iceland. Follow our local guides as they show off their best singletrack in an intoxicating, vibrant landscape with geysers, bubbling mud, multicolored rhyolite mountains, expansive lava fields, natural hot springs and soaring glaciated mountains. You'll bathe in natural turquoise hot springs, spend nights in remote lodges in unreal locations and feast on delicious Icelandic cuisine. The raw natural energy on this trip will inspire you, and the party in Reykjavik at the end of this adventure will surely make you dance. Groups of 5-8 riders.
Looking for another trip in this region? Check out our Norway mountain bike trip.
Photo: Mattias Fredriksson
Trip Highlights:
- Pedalling away from a remote hut across a landscape of vibrant colours and sights, seemingly from another world.
- Learning about Iceland from our expert local guides, its fascinating history, unique cultures and quirky customs.
- Grabbing a 3:00am snack at the famous Bæjarins Beztu hotdog stand after partaking in Reykjavik’s world-famous nightlife.
- Soaking in the most amazing natural hot springs after a big day of riding.
- Conquering the Laugavegur-Þórsmörk trail on a mountain bike, a true adventure!
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Expert local leadership.
- Two nights 3-star hotel in central Reykjavík & five nights remote lodges. (Note: nights spent in lodges are in sleeping bags in common rooms).
- Five breakfasts, five lunches, five dinners.
- Airport transfer on scheduled arrival and departure days and all transportation.
- Detailed pre-departure information & trip extension assistance.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
- Airfare to Reykjavík; personal travel and medical insurance.
- Sleeping bag for five nights in remote lodges.
- Airport taxes and excess baggage charges (if any).
- Your bike and related equipment needed to ride.
- Personal items like drinks, snacks and energy supplements.
- Optional tipping to guides.
- We recommend approximately $25 USD per day for snacks and incidentals.
Bike and equipment
Limited high-performance rental bikes are available on this trip. As it is on most of our trips it is recommended that riders bring their own bikes. A lightweight full-suspension trail bike with 130-140mm travel that climbs and descends capably is best for this adventure. Tires should be tubeless, 2.30” or above, aggressive tread design for rocky terrain, one to two-ply casing for durability, puncture resistance and added control. Eye protection and knee pads that you can comfortably pedal in are highly recommended. Helmets are mandatory when on your bike. A 20L backpack is recommended
Suggested pack
EVOC FR Trail 20
ACTIVITY LEVEL
The minimum technical ability required for Iceland is Intermediate+ (sometimes just Intermediate). This trip is suitable if you have been riding consistently for three to four years and are confident on most types of singletrack and conditions including some hike-a-bike. This trip is a Level 4/6 for fitness. The sometimes cool & challenging weath- er, exposed landscape and accumulation of multiple long days of riding will add up, as it is on all of our trips the fitter you are, the more fun you’ll have.
THE RIDING
This trip is a point to point pedal across a remote and barren landscape with no trees. Trails are primarily for hiking and surfaces are volcanic and can be loose sand, some fixed rock sections and also stretches of doubletrack and dirt roads. There is some short hike-a-bike sections on most days (one longer hike-a-bike on the final day) and several cold river crossings where you’ll need to carry your bike in knee-deep glacial water.
LODGING AND CUISINE
Accommodation for one night in Reykjavik is in a modern hotel down- town while other nights we’ll be in remote lodges located in spectacular locations. Rooms at the lodges vary from smaller six-person rooms to rooms that will accommodate the whole group (and sometimes others), all participants will be in sleeping bags at the lodges. The food is hearty, lamb, dairy, fish, bread and soup are some common menu items. Our guides will prepare meals at the huts, it is appreciated if riders help out in the kitchen. Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary needs.
CLIMATE
Iceland can be chilly, even in summer. Expect nights to dip down to below 10 Celsius (below 50 F) and days to warm up to the mid-high teens Celsius (60-70 F) and warmer. In mountains, weather can change quickly and drastically and rain is common. Participants need to be pre- pared for a wide range of weather.
YOUR SAFETY
Suggested Bike
Trek Fuel
Our trips take place in remote regions with limited evacuation options available. Our guides have basic first aid training, if a serious injury is suspected they will call helicopter search and rescue at the cost of the participant. Personal medical travel insurance is mandatory for all riders. If you choose to participate in our trips it is up to you to ride well within your limits, to ride conservatively, to walk sections if needed and to be safe as mountain biking is a dangerous sport. There are always risks and hazards on all trails that we ride. It is your responsibility to inspect your bike or rental bike daily and keep it in excellent condition. Helmets are mandatory and alcohol and drugs are not permitted while riding your bike.
THE NEXT STEPS
Please read and understand our Terms and Conditions and our Waiver. Then, email or call us to make sure that your desired departure is confirmed and there’s still space available. We’ll then send you a short Rider Questionnaire to learn about your riding experience and ensure that you are suitable for the trip. The last step is to complete our secure online Registration Form and pay your 25% deposit, and we’ll send you detailed Trip Preparation Guide that includes steps on preparing for your adventure.
A Travel Protection Plan protects your travel investment, your belongings, and most importantly, you. We strongly advise travelers to enroll in a Travel Protection Plan in case an unexpected event causes you to cancel or leave your trip. Please review Big Mountain Bike Adventures’ Cancellation Policy:
A Travel Protection Plan should be purchased once a deposit or any payment is made for a trip. Insurance must provide coverage for personal accident, death, emergency remote evacuation including helicopter evacuation, medical expenses and emergency repatriation. We advise travellers to confirm that it covers trip cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You will be asked for proof of insurance in lead up to your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance coverage, Big Mountain will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect to insurance coverage that would have otherwise have been available.
“Iceland is like nowhere else on the planet. I’ll never forget the views and soaking in those hot springs after that epic day.”
