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 trip begins in Reykjavik, Iceland's capital and home to two-thirds of the small local population. Our 600 km circular route takes us across a stunning variety of landscapes: from West Iceland, through the highlands, past glaciers and lava fields. This is a country shaped by fire and ice: millennia of volcanic activity and slow-moving glaciers have sculpted Iceland's majestic landscapes. A gravel bike is the perfect way to experience the landscape. Stay in cosy accommodations along the way and discover why Iceland is known as a wellness destination. Bathe in geothermal waters, plunge into icy pools. Experience the strangeness of life under the Midnight Sun: the sun never sets in Iceland during the summer. Enjoy the support of local guides and a professional support team on our full board tour. The trip begins in Reykjavik, Iceland's capital and home to two-thirds of the small local population. Our 600 km circular route takes us across a stunning variety of landscapes: from West Iceland, through the highlands, past glaciers and lava fields. This is a country shaped by fire and ice: millennia of volcanic activity and slow-moving glaciers have sculpted Iceland's majestic landscapes. A gravel bike is the perfect way to experience the landscape. Stay in cosy accommodations along the way and discover why Iceland is known as a wellness destination. Bathe in geothermal waters, plunge into icy pools. Experience the strangeness of life under the Midnight Sun: the sun never sets in Iceland during the summer. Enjoy the support of local guides and a professional support team on our full board tour. Meet your guides and fellow hikers at our hotel in Reykjavik at 12 noon. We’ll welcome everyone to Iceland, enjoy a bite to eat and then go for a short warm-up ride. Tonight we’ll dine together our favourite sport in Reykjavik and talk through the adventure that awaits us! Our journey starts with a ride west out of Reykjavik, hugging the coast. After 27km, our road turns north. The day’s main challenge is a 6km gravel climb up to the Svínaskard pass, at almost 500m altitude. The views are incredible! Next, we have a long descent before continuing on rolling terrain on the tarmac road around the entrance to Hvalfjörður. Enjoy a great photo opportunity en route to 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 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. Ride the gravel road pass of Grjothals en rotue to Hotel Stafholt. Today it is time to change direction and head our bikes east. Today’s route is over 80% gravel and, although the shortest of our outings, it packs a punch as we ride inland through an area of volcanic activity. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a leisurely guided excursion to the Husafel Canyon Baths: bring your swimwear to enjoy a serene dip in a surreal geothermal paradise that has to be seen to be believed. En route we will learn about the region’s geology, the impact of climate change and see the spectacular two-tiered Langifoss waterfall. Take the Kaldidalur road from Husafell south to Þingvellir National Park. It is a stunning ride from Husafell to Nesjavellir with views of Langjokull glacier and Hallmundarhraun lava field. The day begins with a 16km gravel ascent to a spectacular volcanic plateau at 700m on the edge of a glacier – the mighty Langjökull (the Long Glacier) is Iceland’s second largest glacier. It is 50km long and 20km wide, with 580m of ice depth at its thickest. At its highest point, Langjökull reaches an altitude of 1,450 metres. It is located in the Highlands, and next to it are two main highland routes, connecting north and south Iceland. After the climb, a stunning descent unfolds down to Þingvellir National Park. Enjoy the spectacular rocky landscape as we ride around the lake to our hotel. After a 17 km warm-up enjoy 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. Full support from our professional guides and support vehicle team. The support vehicle is stocked with natural nutrients, electrolytes and water as well as a full set of tools to resolve any mechanical issues. On selected days, the support team will serve a delicious picnic lunch at a scenic spot during the ride. Enjoy local foods chosen to keep you fueled and healthy. Eat Sleep Cycle Guides are experienced cyclists from all walks of life united by a passion for cycling who will help keep the group safe, motivated and enjoying 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. The hotels shown are examples and are subject to change. Start your adventure at the boutique hotel Þingholt by Center Hotels, just off Reykjavik’s main shopping street. Small in size but big in style, the hotel has an intimate and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The perfect place to start off in a relaxed way – enjoy the hotel’s spa or unwind in the cosy bar. Stay in this small boutique hotel set in stunning surroundings. Enjoy the outdoor hot tubs and rooms with views of the fjord. Experience peace and quiet in a glorious setting that allows you to relax and rejuvenate with all amenities at hand and professional service. Enjoy the spectacular views of Borgarfjörður and eat an excellent meal at the Hamarinn restaurant made with ingredients from the region. End the day watching the midnight sun from the hotel’s garden hot tubs. Hotel Varmaland is located in Varmalandsbyggðin, on the tongue between Hvítár and Norðurár, in the geothermal area of Stafholtstungur. The hotel is surrounded by nature and offers a comfortable stay with panoramic views and large, stylishly decorated Scandinavian social spaces. About 20 people live in Varmaland year-round, and a kindergarten and primary school for the local community can be found there. Tonight enjoy modern amenities in the highlands at Hotel Husafel. All rooms feature modern furnishings, underfloor heating, Icelandic organic toiletries from Sóley and original works by local artist Páll Guðmundsson. From the hotel we’ll enjoy a gentle walk to the Husafel Canyon Baths to relax in the geothermal hot spring-fed pools. Against a backdrop of majestic mountainous lava fields, the Ion Adventure Hotel features a modern design and the cosy Lava Spa with a sauna and outdoor pool. ION has recently been awarded 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. We recommend an adventure-style gravel bike, with relaxed geometry, 47c tyres and plenty of gears for the climbs. Welcome to the land of fire and ice. Iceland is a land of exceptional natural beauty with rugged rocks, rifts, geothermal waters, glaciers and ocean beaches. With a tiny population of just under 390,000 people, Iceland is a paradise for relaxation, rejuvenation and adventure. The best time to visit for cycling is from late May to early September, when a cool summer breaks the harsh winter. If you have any questions about our tours, dates, or anything else, please get in touch here. A 30% deposit will secure your place on the tour The final balance is due 90 days prior to trip departure Single room supplement: €899 If you have any questions about our tours, dates, or anything else, please get in touch here. We have a flexible cancellation policy; please check our cancellation policy at the time of booking. If you have any questions, please get in touch and we will be happy to help. We classify our tours from Level 1 (Leisure) to Level 4 (Epic). Each tour contains a description of the level, expected daily riding time, distance, and elevation. If you have any questions, we are happy to talk to you by phone and help you find the perfect trip! We recommend hiring a bike for your tour and after booking we will work with you to help you choose the best size and model for your riding style. If you prefer to bring your own bike, there is no problem. Please note that on some of our epic trips we do charge a supplement for transporting your bike box to our finish point. If you have any questions, please ask! Insurance is not included in our tour packages. We recommend you take out travel insurance at the time of booking with a company in your home country. Medical insurance to cover you for illness or injury whilst cycling in your chosen destination is mandatory. We will ask for your insurance company details before travelling.
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A dedicated guide for this region is not available yet.