Scheduled
7 nights
Advanced
520 km
5630 m
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.
Gravel
Advanced
86 km
5 h 45 min
Discover the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik
Ride across the highlands and see the Langjokull Glacier and Hallmundarhraun lava field.
Soak in the hot spring paradise of the Husafel Canyon Baths
Climb the Svínaskard gravel pass
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.
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.
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.
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!
Fly to Reykjavik Airport
Our first hotel in Reykjavik
12 noon
Plan your onward travel from Reykjavik city centre
Full Support
3* & 4* Hotels
Breakfast, lunch & evening meals
Not included - available on request
Not inlcuded - as us about the available options
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.
A 30% deposit will secure your place on the tour
The final balance is due 90 days before the tour departs
We have a flexible cancelation policy – please take a look at our cancellation policy at the time of booking. If you have any doubts please reach out and we’re happy to help.
We rate our tours from Level 1 (Leisure) to Level 4 (Epic). Each tour contains a description of the level, expected daily ride time, distance and elevation. If you have any doubts we’re more that happy to speak to you on the phone and help to find you the perfect trip!
We recommend that you hire a bike for your tour and will work with you after you book to help you to choose the best size and model for your ride style. If you prefer to bring your bike, it’s no problem. Please be aware that on some of our epic trips we charge a supplement to transport your bike box to our finishing location. If you have any doubts, please ask!
Insurance is not included in our tour packages. We highly recommend contracting travel insurance at the time of reservation with a company from where you are from.
Health insurance which covers you for illness or injury whilst cycling in your chosen destination is mandatory, we’ll ask you for details of your insurance providor before you travel.
