This trip circles the conservation area called „Fjallabak“ or „Behind the Mountains“ in the central highlands of south Iceland. The area is one of the largest geothermal areas in the world, framed in by large glaciers, hence a place of great contrasts. During the trip we pass some of the very well known attractions of Iceland like one of our most active volcano mt. Hekla, Landmannalaugar with it‘s natural geothermal pool, Eldgjá, Þórsmörk and Skógarfoss. During the drive out we visit the great Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir area with spouting geysers and boiling hot springs. The biking is mostly on dirt and gravel roads, with many unbridged rivers and the last two days involving considerable single-track sections. This is a demanding mountain biking trip that requires fitness and at least some mountain-biking experience.

Day 1 | Hekla to Landmannalaugar | 47 km
Starting at 250m with Hekla towering above us, the first day is on gravel roads that are rough at times but quite smooth riding on other parts. Slowly gaining altitude we first travel through black sands, cross a minor unbridged river while experiencing the constant change in scenery. From the black sands we bike into the more vegetated Dómadalur area with smooth lined and grass covered mountains on one side and the coloful ryholite mountains on the other. We pass a couble of mountain lakes and climb over a few 100-200m hills with the reward of a short downhill on the other side. Finally we reach the stunning Landmannalaugar area at 550m a.s.l. with its colourful surroundings and warm natural pools to soak ourselves in.

Day 2 | Landmannalaugar to Hólaskjól | 39 km
From Landmannalaugar we travel back about two km and turn right with Norðurnámshraun lava field on our left, crossing the Jökulgilskvísl river on a bridge and passing around the beautiful Kýlingavatn, a tranguil mountain lake.Travelling eastward, with quite a few unbridged river crossings, we travel through the narrow valleys of Jökuldalir along the famous route Fjallabaksleið. Most of the day we range between 500 and 700m in altitude going up and down but descend a bit towards the end, reaching Hólaskjól at an altitude of about 350m in the afternoon.

Day 3 | Hólaskjól to Hvanngil | 55 km
From Hólaskjól we climb some 250m, early in the day, going back in westerly direction passing Álftavötn and Álftavatnskrók. Going over Laugarháls we reach Hólmsárbotnar and make a stop to (optionally) soak ourselves in the Strútslaug natural pool. After a nice bath, and a pack lunch, we set of again over Skófluklif, pass the Strútur Hut and hit the southerly Fjallabaksleið on Mælifellsandur. Passing just to the west of the mountain Mælifell, a near perfect cone rising above the black sands to the north of Mýrdalsjökull clacier, we turn west for the last 15 km on relatively flat sandy road until we reach the Hvanngil hut area where we make camp at an altitude of 550m.

Day 4 | Hvanngil to Þórsmörk | 28 km
From Hvanngil we follow the Fjallabaksleið road to southwest for the first 6km. Turning south of the road, the singletrack takes over and we follow the second half of the famous hiking route Laugavegur, the „Inka trail“ of Iceland, that lies between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk. Depending a little bit on weather condition the track is tricky at times with a couble of sections where most of us need to carry the bikes short distances. The vegetation steadily increases as the day evolves and sums up in the woods of Thor, or Þórsmörk. There we will enjoy a nice barbeque dinner in the sheltered campsite at Langidalur valley with great views towards the two glaciers Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull. Ending the day at 220m a.s.l. the total descend amounts to 350m.

Day 5 | Þórsmörk to Skógar | 25 km
The first 4 km on the last day takes us over the Krossá river on a footbridge and onto Goðaland and Básar, a second great hut and campsite in that area. From Básar there is a steep climb to over 1.000m going over the mountain pass Fimmvörðuháls, or Five-Milestone Pass, in approximately 5,5 km horizontal distance. We will need to carry the bikes most of the way up and part of the 3,5 km relatively level patch at the top where we will encounter some snowfields, the amount depending on precipitation conditions during the winter months and the spring weather. We are rewarded in the second half of the day with a faboulous downhill for the last 11 to 12 km, the first part on a gravel road and than a beautiful singletrack that follows the river Skógá with its many picturesque waterfalls. Ending up at 40m a.s.l. by Skógarfoss waterfall, we will be picked up by our bus and driven to Reykjavík, visiting the Gullfoss waterfall and the Geyser hot spring area on the way. A final celebration dinner and a night out in Reykjavik sums up a great biking adventure.