Iceland Ride - Southern Highlands & Glaciers

Accommodations

Rustic Mountain Huts or Camping

Total Mileage

126

Group Size

Range of Daily Mileage

16 - 28

Fundraising Commitment

$4,000

Trip Length

6 Days

This is one of the most incredible cycling experiences on the planet. On Climate Ride Iceland we’ll travel to this magnificent island nation to explore the Southern Highlands where active volcanoes, sparkling glaciers, hot springs, and rustic mountain huts combine to create an unparalleled connection to nature.

This charitable event is our premier mountain bike-only Climate Ride, and all of the cycling takes place on gravel roads. (There will be occasional single track to try out.) Local Icelandic guides and our Climate Ride team will take care of all the details, allowing us to ride, connect, and see how the changing climate is affecting the Land of Fire and Ice.

On this charitable biking event, we travel where few tourists go. We stay in rustic mountain huts. If you crave more privacy, we suggest you bring a high-quality tent so you can stay in the campground.

This trip is well-suited to experienced road cyclists who can get comfortable on a mountain bike. Weather can vary and you must be prepared for cold, rain, and river crossings. Follow our packing list and you’ll be just fine! You should train to ride 30 miles per day on gravel roads. There are shorter options each day if you choose to ride in the support van.

If you are vegan or vegetarian, please connect with us to ensure you have wonderful food options. Bring a big smile and your sense of adventure for this jaw-dropping charitable bike adventure!

Climate Ride charitable events bring together bright minds, breathtaking routes for all cycling abilities, and the unforgettable combination of passion and purpose. On this trip, we’ll get a first-hand look at the environmental issues affecting Iceland including glacial melting, flooding, overfishing, and land rise, while learning about Iceland’s nearly 100% reliance on geothermal and hydropower energy sources.

This is a special Climate Ride Funders Trip and the proceeds directly support Climate Ride’s work. Your fundraising on Climate Ride Iceland will benefit the programs and efforts of Climate Ride including our community scholarships for young climate leaders. You are helping us grow the organization to become an advocacy powerhouse that engages people in the world of active environmental philanthropy and sustainable solutions. All donations are tax-deductible.

A passport is required.

Daily cycling mileages to suit all types of cyclists. This is a fully supported ride which means you can focus on pedaling and making connections with your new friends while we take care of everything from overnight details, meals, snacks, luggage transport, and much more to make your trip as enjoyable as possible. Learn more in the FAQ.

Read Full Story

Day 1	Bike 22 Miles We depart early this morning from Reykjavik hotels for a 3-hour, scenic drive to Iceland’s spectacular volcanic mountains. At the foot of Hekla, the country’s most active and famous volcano, we’ll jump on our bikes for the first bike ride of the week – a stunning route across strange lava fields and stunning black desert sands before entering the amazing Dómadalur region, flanked by smooth grassy mountains on one side and colourful rhyolite peaks on the other. Our first night is spent in a remote cabin in the heart of these spectacular highlands.
Day 2	Bike 16 Miles We head out early from our mountain hut at Landmannahellir to Frostastadavatn Lake (Icelandic for ‘Lake of the Frosty Place’). Our cycling route takes us to the famed natural hot springs at Landmannalaugar. Here we have an opportunity for a hike and a regenerating, well-deserved soak in the steaming natural pools. In the afternoon, enjoy an optional 9 km single-track bicycle route to Ljótapollur. Our accommodations for the night are at a mountain hut near Landmannalaugar.
Day 3	Bike 25 Miles On our third day of bike riding, we head eastward, biking on the Fjallabak Nature Preserve’s north route. The Fjallabak region, one of the largest geothermal areas in Iceland, takes its name from the numerous wild and rugged mountains with deeply incised valleys that are found here. The Nature Preserve, where more than 150 types of flowering plants, ferns, and allies have been identified, was established in 1979 to protect the area’s natural features so that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy them as we do today. Tonight, our day ends at a comfortable mountain hut, where we’ll spend two nights.
Day 4	Bike 19 Miles Today starts with a shuttle from Hólaskjól to Langisjór. Once at Langisjór we’ll gear up and cycle along the Skaftá River – a picturesque glacier-fed river. We continue along the rushing waters through the Eldgjá volcanic canyon, an enormous 5-mile fissure in the Earth and testament that this island straddles two continental plates. After an amazing day on the trail, we eventually return to our mountain hut for a hearty meal before turning in for the night.
Day 5	Bike 28 Miles Day 5 begins on a black sandy highland road through pasture land used for sheep grazing. The gravel bike route today affords a magnificent view of the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier – with its ice cap topping the Katla volcano, made famous during the 2010 eruption of nearby Eyjafjallajökull. After a tasty lunch, we continue toward the south coast and cross the famous Laugavegur trekking route – noted for its wide variety of otherworldly landscapes. At our final mountain hut for the week, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner and celebrate our last evening together.
Day 6	Bike 16 Miles Today’s bike ride starts off at Emstrur, passing the impressive Markafljót Canyon. From there we pedal our mountain bikes along the mountains with several challenging sections to the great canyons of the Markarfljót River. After lunch, we make our way on a remote and beautiful mountain road that leads to an idyllic valley under the Tindfjallajökull Glacier, where we’ll finish the week’s riding. After packing up our gear, we’ll drive back to hotels in Reykjavik for an afternoon arrival in the busy city.

$500 to be raised by:	TBD
$2,000 to be raised by:	TBD
$4,000 to be raised by:	TBD

Iceland Ride – Southern Highlands & Glaciers

Land of Fire and Ice

Photo Gallery

Event Itinerary Overview

(Your Travel Planner will include full details)

Ready to get started?

FAQs and More Info

climate_ride

What our participants have to say

Our Supporters

Climate Ride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Sign up for our newsletter!