| Fjallabak's finest  |
6 days | OPUS5 |
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For all of you single-track addicts and gravity lovers out there we offer this trip that explores some of the finest trails, single-track and tough rarely traveled 4WD tracks, in the Fjallabak area (Behind the Mountains). We will explore some great tracks on the southern highlands using a bus/van for transport between the routes to save time. The aim is to get as much quality mountain biking as can be crammed into 6 days in the area. We will ride both the local classics as well as virtually un-ridden territory. We will ride the famous trekking route Laugavegur from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, ride up to the freshly erupted volcano on Fimmvörðuháls and down again via the popular hiking route from Þórsmörk to Skógar, and many more tracks and singletracks. Although there will be some climbing and some hike-a-bike we will try to minimize that by using our transport and choosing the routes carefully. But sometimes it takes a bit of hard work to get to places where you thought you would never ride. Good fitness and biking skills are essential. This one is all about fun (well that's right, they all are.)
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Day 1
| A warm up to the volcano | 35 km
Our first day we drive east from Reykjavík, passing the infamous volcano that grounded all air traffic in Europe and affected millions of people all around the world in spring 2010. Underneath the volcano with the hard to pronaunce name Eyjafjallajökull we stop at Skógarfoss, a majestic waterfall. We ride up a 4WD track towards the new volcano formed on Fimmvörðuháls mountain pass just weeks before the Eyjafjallajökull eruption. We ride as close to the volcano as possible depending on the conditions and hike the rest of the way if we need to. After a close look at the fresh hot lava we ride back, starting on the 4WD track but soon switch over to one of the best Icelandic singletrack along Skógá river ending at Skógarfoss Waterfall. From there we drive to our overnight camp at Hólaskjól at the entrance to the highlands known as Fjallabak (behind the mountains). |
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Day 2
| Langisjór to Hólaskjól | 40 km
We now head to Langisjór Lake by car where we get dropped off on the black sand by the lakes shore. Langisjór Lake is over 20 km long streching from Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, to the point where we start our journey. We head towards Hólaskjól on rarely travelled and rough 4x4 track and, conditions permitting, some scenic singletrack through the magnificent Skælingar. From there we ride past Eldgjá to Hólaskjól for a dinner and then a short evening ride/hike to an unnamed waterfall, nicknamed Silfurfoss (Silver fall) or Litli Gullfoss (Little Gold fall) for it’s resemblance to the famous Gullfoss. |
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Day 3
| Hólaskjól - Natural pool - Strútur | 31 km
Today we continue from Hólaskjól either on singletrack or 4WD track, depending on conditions, to Álftavatnakrókar. From there we cross a natural lava bridge over the river Ófæra and follow a faint 4WD track and good singletrack all the way to the natural geothermal pool Strútslaug. From Strútslaug we follow a beutiful singletrack to Strútur. At Strútur we get picked up and drive to Landmannalaugar, one of the best known natural wonders in Iceland. For those who are up for it there is a second geothermal pool of the day at Landmannalaugar. |
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Day 4
| "Laugavegur" singletrack with a twist | 40 km
We start our two day journey via the famous hiking route Laugavegur to Þórsmörk. We do this route with a twist of our own and end up in Krókur after riding on one of Iceland’s best single-track all the way there. It starts on a technical trail through a lava field and then a steep climb and then undulating all the way to Hrafntinnusker hut. We will pass hot springs and snow fields on this highest point of our trip. The route takes us to Álftavatn, a highland lake, and then by a rarely used singletrack to Krókur where we camp for the night. |
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Day 5
| To the forest of Thor, Þórsmörk | 32 km
Today we start on a remote and beautiful double track until we reach the Southern Fjallabak’s track and join the single track of the Laugavegur route again via Hattfellsgil and follow it all they way to Þórsmörk, a mythical valley surrounded by mountains and glaciers. In Þórsmörk we enjoy a dinner in one of Iceland’s most famous natural wonders. |
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Day 6
| Two short rides and the end of an epic trip | 8 km
This is goodbye day but we still have the opportunity for two short rides to savor our last experience of fresh singletrack and raw nature on this trip. We will climb/hike-a-bike up the Valahnúkur Mountain in Þórsmörk for some great views of the area and a fast, scenic singletrack back down. We then ride on a gravel track towards civilisation until we get just below the Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcanic creater where there used to be a glacier lake at the edge of the glacier. We then ride right across where the lake used to be as it filled up with volcanic ash, mud and gravel during the flash fload of melted ice from the crater. Then it's bikes back on the trailer for the last time on this trip and you can start planning your next trip on our way back to Reykjavík for a final dinner and a night out.
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| Days: |
6 |
| Total distance: |
Approximately 190 km |
| Group size: |
6-10 |
| Trip grade: |
Extreme |
| Altitude: |
200-1100 m |
| Price from: |
See Dates and prices |
| Included: |
• An experienced guide
• Accommodation in two person tents
• Breakfast and dinner at camps and pack lunches during activity days
• Support vehicle and luggage transport between camps
• Transfer to and from Reykjavík
•Transport between the different tracks and single tracks |
| Not included: |
• Final dinner and night out in Reykjavik
• Mountain bike (can be hired)
• All other things not specifically included in itinerary or booking terms |
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