Head north to the edge of the Arctic circle to discover a magical, epic, wild and remote landscape perfect for a gravel bike adventure. The journey starts in Iceland’s capital, and home to two thirds of the small local population, Reykjavik. Our 600 km loop ride takes us through a stunning variety of landscapes – from West Iceland, across the highlands, past glaciers and over lava fields. This is a country shaped by fire & ice – a millennia of volcanic activity and the slow moving mighty glaciers have carved out the majestic landscapes of Iceland. A gravel bike is the perfect way to experience the landscape.
Stay in cosy accommodations en route and learn why Iceland is renowned as a wellness destination. Bathe in hot springs, jump in ice cold pools. Experience the strangeness of life under the Midnight Sun – the sun never sets in Iceland during the summer. Enjoy support from local guides and a professional support team on our full-board tour.
Rated 3 out of 4 our Advanced tours are designed for people who ride regularly and want back to back challenging days on the bike. Riders should be confident riding in a small group, comfortable on extended climbs (at your own pace) and have good bike handling skills on corners and descents. E-bikes are available on all of our tours.
Meet your guides and fellow riders at our hotel in Reykjavik at 12 noon. We’ll welcome everyone to Iceland, enjoy a bite to eat and then head out on a short warm-up ride. Tonight we’ll eat together at our favourite sport in Reykjavik and discuss the adventure ahead!
Our jouney begins with a ride west out of Reykjavik hugging the coast. After 27 kms our road turns north. The main challenge of the day is a 6 km gravel climb to the Svínaskard pass at nearly 500 m elevation. The views are breathtaking! A long descent follows before we continue on undulating terrain on the paved road around the Hvalfjördur inlet. Enjoy a great photo opportunity en route at the Fossarétt waterfall.
Continue on our trajectory north west into West Iceland. Look out for horses en route – this is a favourite area for horse riders. Ride alongside lakes, cross rivers and marvel at mother nature. We’ll pass the Borgarbyggð Waterfall en route to our resting place for tonight at Hotel Hamar.
Ride north east towards the highlands and the village of Varmaland. The ride is characterised by wide open, undulating, stunning landscapes. Look out for the mountain peak of Grjothals to the north. Our destination of Varmaland is an eco-friendly producer of flowers & vegetables, with production powered by energy from hot springs. Around 20 people live in the village all year around.
It’s time to change direction today and point our bicycles to the east. Today’s route is over 80% gravel and, whilst the shortest of our rides, packs a real punch as we ride inland through an area of volcanic activity. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a relaxed guided hike to the Husafel Canyon Baths – pack your swimsuit to enjoy a serene soak in a surreal hot spring paradise that has to be seen to be believed. En route we’ll learn about the geology of the region, the impact of climate change and see the spectacular two-tiered waterfall Langifoss.
Take the Kaldidalur road from Húsafell south to the Þingvellir National Park. It’s a breathtaking ride from Husafell to Nesjavellir with views of the Langjokull Glacier and Hallmundarhraun lava field. The day begins with a 16 km gravel ascent to a dramatic volcanic plain at 700 m the edge of a glacier – the mighty Langjökull (the Long Glacier) is the second largest glacier in Iceland. It’s 50 km long and 20 km wide, with ice 580 m deep at it’s thickest. At its highest point the Langjökull reaches an alititude of 1,450 meters. It’s located in the Highlands, and two main highland tracks, connecting the north and the south of Iceland, lie alongside it. After the climb a stunning descent unfolds to the Þingvellir National Park. Enjoy the dramatic rocky scenery as we ride around the lake to our hotel.
Our final day begins with a punchy paved 4 km climb out of the hotel. Views of the lake unfold behind as we reach 400 m. Follow the road for another 20 km to descend to the green countryside outside of Reykjavik. Enjoy a magical rolling ride to enter the city from the south and head to the centre hugging the coastline. Enjoy a celebratory last night in Reykjavic.
Sadly, it’s time to say farewell! Plan your onward travel from Reykjavic centre.
FULL SUPPORT
Enjoy full ride support from our professional guide team & support vehicle.
The ride support vehicle is stocked with natural ride nutrition, electrolytes and water, as well as a full set of tools to resolve any mechanicals. On selected days the support crew will serve a delicious picnic lunch in a scenic location en route. Enjoy local foods chosen to keep you feeling energized and healthy.
Eat Sleep Cycle guides are experienced riders from all walks of life united by a love of cycling who’ll help to keep the group safe, motivated and savouring the trip of a lifetime.
All guests will receive access to our digital Road Book and routes, giving everyone the flexibility to ride at their own pace.
Hotels shown are examples and are subject to change
Start the adventure in the boutique Þingholt by Center Hotels just off Reykjavik’s main shopping street. Small in size but big on style, the hotel has an intimate, cosmopolitan vibe throughout. The perfect spot for a relaxing start – enjoy the hotel spa or unwind in the cosy bar.
Hotel Laxárbakki is located in Hvalfjordur, next to the salmon river Laxá. This family-run hotel offers a simple stopover on our route north.
Experience peace and tranquility in a glorious environment that allows you to relax and rejuvenate, with all comforts at hand and professional service. Enjoy the spectacular view of the Borgarfjörður and eat excellent food in the Hamarinn restaurant made from ingredients from the region. Finish the day watching the midnight sun from the hot tubs in the hotel garden.
Hotel Varmaland is located at Varmalandsbyggðin, which is in the tongue between Hvítár and Norðurár, in the Stafholtstungur geothermal area. The hotel is surrounded by nature and offers a comfortable stay with panoramic views and great social spaces decorated in Scandanavian style. About 20 people live in Varmaland all year round, and both a kindergarten and a primary school for the local community are located there.
Tonight enjoy modern comforts in the highlands at Hotel Husafel. All rooms feature modern furnishings, heated floors, organic Icelandic toiletries from Sóley and original work by local artist Páll Guðmundsson. From the hotel we’ll enjoy a gentle hike to the Husafel Canyon Baths for a relaxing soak in pools fed by hot springs.
Set against a backdrop of majestic mountainous lava fields, the Ion Adventure Hotel features modern design and the cosy Lava Spa with sauna and outdoor pool. ION was recently granted the acclaimed Boutique Hotel Awards in the sustainability category.
Bike hire is not included in the tour. Add bike rental to the trip from €60 per day.Bikes shown here are examples and are subject to availabilty at the time of booking. We'll let you know the available options in your size when you book with us.
Ask us about available bikes to rent for this tour. We recommend an adventure style gravel bike, with a relaxed geometry, 47c tyres and plently of gears for the climbs.
Gethyn is from Wales but has been living in Catalonia for 14 years, and having found a quiet spot in the forest not far from Girona, he has no intention of leaving. Gethyn’s been a part of the ESC team since the early days and loves the job. He rides road and gravel with friends and MTB with his dog.
During the past 10 years, Mario has lived in different countries, but now he’s back home in Conegliano to ride every steep hill in the area! Despite his focus on road cycling, he’s had some amazing moments with his beloved steel gravel bike! Mario has been a member of the ESC Team since 2019 and couldn’t be happier! He looks forward to seeing you on the road soon!
Welcome the land of fire and ice. Iceland is a country of outstanding natural beauty with steep rocks, crevasses, boiling hot springs, glaciers, and ocean beaches. With a tiny population of just under 390,000 people, Iceland is a haven for relaxation, rejuventation & adventure. The best time to ride is late May to early September when a cool summer breaks the harsh winter.
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