Eight days of moderate-distance cycling on paved and smooth gravel roads, with options to hike, ride horses, explore Porsmork by 4WD, or take a short flight to the Wesmann Islands. In June and July the sun never sets, and hotpot soaks are nightly rituals.
Iceland is awe-inspiring. The landscape, so newly formed, so refreshingly pristine, and so geologically active, defies portrayal with words and pictures, although it will inspire you to try! Steam rises from hot pools on volcanic mountainsides, and glacier-fed waterfalls tumble down to the lush lands below. Freewheeling Adventures has combined the best scenery with the least-used roads, and the most comfortable hotels, so that you can enjoy this uncrowded place as fully as possible. They provide thorough vehicle support while you ride the wide open spaces, breathing clear air warmed by the Gulf Stream, and bathing in water heated by the earth. When the road beckons in front of you, and the sun illuminates the rivers, pastures, and icecaps all around, you’ll be humbled by the sheer magnificence of your surroundings. You may ponder, as you gaze into the Mid-Atlantic Rift, or soak in your hotpot beneath the midnight sun, the humbling power of the dynamic earth.
The cycling begins in Hveragerði, not far from Reykjavik. You will ride around the lake of Þingvallvatn to the ancient parliament at Þingvellir, then to Geysir and the impressive waterfall at Gullfoss. Skirting the mountains on fairly level roads at their base, you will cross the fertile Biskupstungur (“Fields between Rivers”) to the lava fields below Mount Hekla, and riding under the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier between Hvollsvollur and Vik before exploring the magical nature reserve at Þórsmörk – “Thor’s Playground”, or flying to Westmann Islands for a final afternoon of exploration on foot. You will rest in a charming combination of small inns, Scandinavian-style guesthouses, and comfortable hotels. You will be able to ride to your heart’s content, but will occasionally need to switch from your bike to a vehicle capable of carrying you across rivers. Bring your sense of wonder and adventure!
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Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Early afternoon pickup in Reykjavik for transfer to your guesthouse in Hveragerdi. Owned by Knütur Bruun - a patron of Icelandic art, and the chairman of the National Gallery - your guesthouse is well appointed and decorated. Outdoors, you will enjoy the hot swimming pool and “hotpot” beside the river. Indoors, you will enjoy a geothermal sauna and the art Knütur has collected. You will test your bikes, and depart early for dinner in a nearby coastal village, after exploring the greenhouse community, where tropical plants grow at the Arctic Circle, thanks to the unlimited hot water just beneath the earth’s surface here. D
Lodging: Guesthouse Frost og Funi (Frost & Fire), Hveragerði
Day 2: 70 km / 45 miles Ride on quiet gravel and paved roads around the shore of Þingvallvatn, to the site of the worlds oldest surviving parliament at Þingvellir. There you can stand on the edge of the Mid-Atlantic rift, and enjoy gazing into the depths of the clear glacial water of the lake, at the divergence zone of tectonic plates. BLD
Lodging: Hotel Valholl, Þingvellir
Day 3: 53 or 69km / 32 or 43 miles Ride on paved and gravel roads to the namesake of all geysers, at Geysir. Stop for lunch options overlooking Laugarvatn, then ride the rolling road along its shore toward Geysir. Visit the magnificent waterfall of Gullfoss before relaxing at your hotel. BD
Lodging: Hotel Geysir, Geysir
Day 4: 44 or 98km / 28 or 60 miles A downstream ride along the banks of the Hvita River. Afternoon optional ride to Skalholt, a church with stained glass mosaics on the site of the first Christian bishopric in Iceland. This spiritual center has been a theological powerhouse since 1,000 A.D. In 1953, foundations were laid for the new church. During excavation, the remains of a 1309 cathedral were found, including the carved coffin of Pall Jonsson, a hard-as-nails bishop whose death in 1211, according to Pals Saga, was greeted with an earth tremor and deluge. When excavators opened the coffin in ’53, there was a downpour again – the biggest in many years. BD
Lodging: Hotel Hekla, Selfoss or Hotel Fludir, Fludir
Day 5: 44 or 95km / 28 or 58 miles Afternoon hiking option. Today’s long ride takes you up the banks of the Pjorsa River, by the newly constructed hydroelectric facility at Stöng, and downstream to a uniquely Scandinavian retreat in the middle of the volcano Mt. Hekla’s lava fields. Along the way, you will visit a homestead which was abandoned in 1104, during an eruption of Hekla. Then it is either a four-hour hike to Iceland’s second highest waterfall - Háifoss, or simply riding another 50km downstream in the shadow of the snow-capped Mt. Hekla volcano. BLD
Lodging: Leirubakki Guest House, Landsveit
Day 6: 69km / 44 miles Following mountain roads through lava fields, farmlands, and around the volcano range of Hraun, you will ride to Hvollsvöllur, near the valley of Þórsmörk. Stop on the way to visit Keldur, a prime example of later homesteading featured in Njal’s Sagas. When you arrive in Hvollsvöllur, you can visit the Njal’s Saga museum for enlightenment about this integral part of Icelandic culture. BLD
Lodging: Hotel Hvolsvollur, Hvollsvollur or Hotel Ranga, Sudurlandsvegur
Day 7: 80 km / 50 miles Follow the coast under the Glacier Mýrdalsjökull. The wind blows here, and the day's plan is adjusted to take advantage of a tailwind. The ride is flat except for a couple of good climbs near Vik. You will gather for a picnic lunch beneath the waterfall Skogafoss, where distractions include a very interesting folk museum. Additional options include visiting the glacier and seeing the puffin colony at Dyrholaey. BLD
Lodging: Same as last night
Day 8: Finale A day's of exploration by 4WD and on foot up the Þvera valley to Þorsmörk. Enjoy uncountable waterfalls as they cascade off the volcanic plateau. Cross the river to two spectacular waterfalls in your 4WD transport to the hidden paradise of Þorsmörk (“Thor’s Forest”) nature reserve – one of Iceland’s most spectacular but inaccessible wildernesses. Sealed off by three glaciers, two rivers, and a string of mountains, it reveals glaciers, wildflowers, and bird-filled willow woods. Van transfer at day’s end, back to Reykjavik by 5:00pm. BL
Notes
Route Notes: 35-100 km/day (22-62 miles) on mainly paved roads with occasional gravel surface. Some rolling hills and lots of level riding. The riding ease is often wind-dependent, but you'll endeavour to ride downwind in most cases. Come prepared to enjoy anything!
Reservation Policy
Pricing is in Canadian dollars. Payments can be made in US dollars, based on exchange rates at time of payment. US$ pricing is shown as a guide. Reservations can be made with VISA or MasterCard by fax, mail, email, or phone, or with a cheque or money order by mail. A deposit of 30% is required to reserve your space, and the balance is due 30 days before the adventure begins.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received in writing at least 60 days in advance of start date will receive a 50% refund of any deposit paid. Cancellations received between 60 and 30 days ahead will forfeit deposit. Cancellations within 30 days require full payment of the tour cost.
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