BICYCLE TOURS & MOUNTAIN BIKING

Iceland: The Dramatic North

The long fjords and river valleys flanked by alpine mountains make this a collection of outstanding rides. The midnight sun, drier climate, and shelter from prevailing winds produce more fertility than expected; the vegetation includes flourishing botanical gardens in Akureyri and trees like nowhere else in Iceland.

Akureyri – the gem of the north at the end of Eyjafjordur is also known for the blonde beauty of its people. On the way from there to Lake Myvatn, you will stop in the European whale watching capital at Husavik, for a special night, with views of snow-capped mountains across the fjord.

The approach to the lake takes you through marshland peppered with small lakes and ponds, which attract more birds than anywhere else in Iceland, and can make the approach to Myvatn very memorable. The ride around the lake itself is particularly interesting because of the many green pseudocraters and islands. On Day Seven, you can visit Jokulsar Canyon National Park and Dettifoss – the biggest waterfall in Europe. The complimentary transfer back to Reykjavik may take you across Iceland’s interior – a mountain and desert road between huge glaciers – a fitting end to this fantastic adventure.

Tour Details

Day 1:
The tour starts with a noon pickup in Reykjavik at the Hotel Loftleidir for the 3.5 hours drive to Sauðárkrókur, where you will start your riding tomorrow morning. You can test your bikes, visit the nearby geothermal heated swimming pool, or stretch your legs on the back of an Icelandic horse before dinner. Optional flights are available from Reykjavik to Sauðárkrókur through Air Iceland: www.airiceland.is D
Lodging: Hotel Tindastoll, Sauðárkrókur

Day 2: 62 km
From Varmahlid, ride through a river valley known for its horses and an ethereal blue light, stopping at Glaumbear Farmstead to enjoy the sod dwarfhouses, where the first Viking born in North America, Snorri Thorfinnson – probably an inhabitant of Newfoundland’s L’Anse aux Meadows – lived upon his return to Iceland. Follow the coast of Skagafjordur to Hofsos, where you can visit the Icelandic American Heritage museum if you are inclined.BLD

Lodging: Gistiheimilið Sunnuberg, Skagafjordur

Day 3: 89 km
Follow the coast around the Tröllaskagi Peninsula – Peninsula of Trolls – to a lunch stop at a gastronomic guesthouse where “slow cuisine” is the mantra. Further along, views of Grimsey Island heighten the beauty of the ride. BLD

Lodging: Brimnes Hotel & Cabins, Ólafsfjörður

Day 4: 43 km
An easy ride along the coast toward Akureyri, acknowledged as the home of some of the world’s most beautiful people, and known by golfers for the Arctic Open Championship. Visit the botanical gardens, old houses, and relative abundance of restaurants and bars, where the fun is heightened by the location near the Arctic Circle. BD

Lodging: Hotel Edda, Akureyi

Day 5: 94km
Choose between the paved road over Vikurskard pass (350m) or the gravel road around it (which adds 18km). Stop for lunch at Storutjarnir or perhaps Iceland’s most spectacular waterfall, Goðafoss – Fall of the Gods. After a picnic lunch, follow the valley of a salmon-rich river, then the coast to Husavik – locally proclaimed the whale-watching capital of Europe, and home of an interesting whale information center.

Lodging: Kaldbaks-kot, near Husavik, or Foss Hotel

Day 6: 65km
Today’s ride takes you past a small geyser, large greenhouses, and along a lava river valley with pseudocraters – formed as lava bubbles and cools rather than by impact - toward Lake Myvatn, where the best summer weather in Iceland helps one appreciate its myriad islands, ducks, and pretty vistas.

Lodging: Hotel Reykjahlid, Reykjahlid

Day 7: Morning ride around the lake (35km)
Van ride to the National park Jokulsargljufur canyon in the afternoon. A day to enjoy the unique Myvatn surroundings. After a morning circumnavigation on your bike, the afternoon can be spent visiting outlying attractions with your Icelandic guide, or taking an optional sightseeing flight to oversee Iceland’s dramatic interior, including Askja – the world’s biggest caldera – where US astronauts trained for moon landings. BLD

Lodging: Same as Day 6

Day 8: Transfer to Reykjavik
This is an approximate 4.5 hour drive. Optional flights from Akureyri are available to Reykjavik through Air Iceland. B

Schedule:
Call to find out about newly scheduled trips. Self-guided or custom groups are available any time. Contact Freewheeling Adventures for dates and details.