Bike
MTB
Chasing volcanoes in Iceland
Outstanding natural beauty, hot springs and perfect singletrack. Iceland has it all.
Mountain biking in Iceland is something that every mountain biker should put on their bucket list. The nature and terrain of the Icelandic highlands is not only among the most beautiful in the world but is ideally suited for those looking for an adventure on their mountain bikes. Riding in Iceland is something totally new and unique
This past September, I travelled there with a talented crew of riders to experience the riding delights of this Scandinavian country and specifically the famed epic Laugavegur trail. With me were Wade Simmons, a legend in the sport and a member of mountain biking’s Hall of Fame, Chris Winter, who runs Big Mountain Bike Adventure, a bike travel company specialised in exotic bike trips all over the world, and Stephen Matthews, an up-and-coming rider who has been a mountain bike guide in Switzerland, Italy and France.
The riding, the scenery, the unique nature, the people and the whole experience was totally mind-blowing. Through these images follow the story of our trip and witness the incredible beauty of riding mountain bikes in Iceland.
Into the valley
© Mattias Fredriksson
The colourful nature makes mountain biking in Iceland an experience far beyond just the trails. The geographic variety is interesting and unique. It was hard for Chris Winter, Stephen Matthews and Wade Simmons to keep their eyes on the singletrack up on the ridge in places like this.
The highlands of Iceland
© Mattias Fredriksson
Landmannalaugar is located in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve in the Icelandic highlands. The lanscape here got its form after a lava field eruption in 1477. It is a very popular recreation area. If you plan to go here in the summertime you will have to share the trails with lots of hikers. End of August and early September is a bit quieter.
Heading for the plain
© Mattias Fredriksson
Chris Winter and Stephen Matthews en route back to Landmannalaugar after another great day riding in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. In the background you can see the natural hot springs, a great way to recharge the muscles after a hard day of riding.
Sweeping across country
© Mattias Fredriksson
There are lots of great trails around Landmannalaugar, which makes it perfect to spend a few days there before you begin a big ride into the Icelandic highlands. The terrain is often playful and rolling.
On the edge
© Mattias Fredriksson
Landmannalaugar is located in the northern part of the Laugavegur trail. This zone is Iceland's most popular area for hiking. Thanks to that, there are lots of trails. Here Wade Simmons, Stephen Matthews and Chris Winter descend a steep ridge.
This is no Hilton
© Mattias Fredriksson
The Höskuldsskáli hut is a place to rest and sleep on the Laugavegur trail
© Mattias Fredriksson
Don’t expect fancy boutique hotels and privacy while riding the Laugavegur trail. Simple huts with shared sleeping areas are all that you will be offered, unless you bring your own tent.
Some hardy spectators!
© Mattias Fredriksson
Sheep-farming is practiced throughout Iceland. You will see sheep everywhere you go on the island.
Soaking up the ride
© Mattias Fredriksson
There are natural hot springs everywhere in Iceland. Here Stephen Matthews and Chris Winter enjoy a soak by our cabin in Landmannalaugar.
Smoking whips
© Mattias Fredriksson
Stephen Matthews catching some air time while ripping a fast section of the Laugavegur trail.
Hike a bike
© Mattias Fredriksson
This was Chris Winter's first visit to Iceland and he was totally blown away. He described the trip as being his "best bike experience" ever.
Cool singletrack
© Mattias Fredriksson
We did not expect Laugavegur to be such a great bike trail given it is also Iceland’s most popular hiking route. However the experience was way beyond our expectations. Most of the time we rode perfect singletrack like Chris Winter and Wade Simmons do here.
That's a sharp drop
© Mattias Fredriksson
Stephen Matthews on a steep down roll close to our Hvanngil accommodation base. The terrain in Iceland is very mountain-bike friendly so there were lots of opportunities to freeride and improvise off the trails.
Dinner time
© Mattias Fredriksson
Assistant guide, monster truck driver and head chef Orri Gunnarsson is a man of many talents and a great storyteller. Here he serves dinner for our group at our hut in Hvanngil after another great day on the bikes.
Riding beside Lake Alftavatn
© Mattias Fredriksson
The wilderness and the endless vistas stand out in Iceland. Sometimes it truly feels like you are in the middle of a Planet Earth movie. This shot of Chris Winter and Stephen Matthews was taken close to Alftavatn during a mid-morning ride.
The road to Alftavatn
© Mattias Fredriksson
The third day on our ride on the Laugavegur became a very long day in the saddles for our crew. We rode from Landmannalaugar to Alftavatn, which is about only about 30 kilometres, but it was so amazing we had to stop several times to take in the amazing scenery. Here Wade, Stephen and Chris start the last decent towards our place to stay in Alftavatn.
Wading in ankle-deep
© Mattias Fredriksson
Due to a rain-filled summer we expected the river crossings on our journey to be difficult. In the end, it wasn't too bad. A few big rivers had to be crossed, but it just added to the experience.
The Skógafoss Waterfall
© Mattias Fredriksson
You can’t go to Iceland and not check out some of the most iconic waterfalls. One of the most impressive is the Skógafoss. This waterfall has a drop over 60 metres and is located at the very end of the Laugavegur if you do the whole route.
Admiring the wonder of nature
© Mattias Fredriksson
Gljúfrabúi is another cool waterfall but not so famous. Wade Simmons, Chris Winter and Stephen Matthews had to stop and check it out en route down to the coast.
The river finds a way
© Mattias Fredriksson
Some random waterfalls, with no special name, along the way to the coast from Pórsmörk. This is typical Icelandic landscape, breath-taking!
