The Best Mountain Biking Trails in Iceland
Mountain biking in Iceland is an otherworldly experience. You’ll get to know the landscape as you bike through trails passing colorful rhyolite mountains, bubbling mud pools, expansive lava fields, and glaciers! Keep reading to discover the best mountain biking trails in Iceland that will leave you intoxicated.
Kerlingarfjöll Trail
Tucked away in the Highlands of Iceland, the Kerlingarfjöll mountain range is home to Hveradalir, a geothermal wonderland of steaming vents, boiling mud pools, and rainbow-colored hot springs. The fusion of hiking trails, rust-colored mountains, and steam clouds forms a unique destination for hiking and photography in Iceland.
To get to Kerlingarfjöll, you’ll have to navigate the tricky F-Roads using a 4x4. Once you’re there, head south where you’ll find a circular biking trail. This 11.8 km/7.3 mi circuit is moderately challenging and takes about 4 hours to complete. It takes you past the Hveradalir all the way to the top of the Hveradalshnúkur mountain.
Laugavegur Trail
In the south of Iceland, there’s a long-distance biking trail that runs from the Landmannalaugar geothermal springs to the Þórsmörk nature reserve. Landmannalaugar is a breathtaking destination in the Icelandic Highlands and is known for its vibrant rhyolite mountains and active hot springs. Similarly, Þósmörk is celebrated for its lush greenery.
Starting near Landmannalaugar, this 52.1 km/32.3 mi circuit is a challenging one. As with hiking, you’ll have to navigate the route over a few days. This will not only make sure you have time to recharge your batteries, but you’ll be able to enjoy the sites without making a race of it.
Höfn Coastal Trail
Höfn may be a small fishing town in southeast Iceland, but it's also the most significant settlement on the Ring Road. The town sits at the base of the Vatnajökull National Park, allowing residents to feast their eyes upon the mighty Vatnajökull glacier, the Hornafjarðarfljót glacier river, and the unique Vestrahorn mountain, which all make up this stunning panoramic seascape.
You can embark on a 6-hour drive from Reykjavík to get to Höfn or catch a plane from domestic airports. In the eastern part of the town, there’s a 2.9 km/1.8 mi circular trail. As it’s an easy route, it takes just over half an hour to complete. If you’re an avid hiker, there’s also a walking trail from Höfn that takes you in a loop around Skarðsfjörður and Hornafjörður.
Fimmvörðuháls Trail
The area between south Iceland’s Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers is called Fimmvörðuháls. It’s among the most picturesque hiking trails in the country, offering stunning views of the Highlands.
The Fimmvörðuháls Trail mountain biking trail is quite challenging. But don’t let that put you off - you’ll meet fellow bikers on this 25.7 km/15.9 mi circuit near Skógar so it’s easy to stay determined. The route starts in the Thórsmörk valley, and takes you past some of the most stunning landscapes in Iceland, from waterfalls to volcanoes.
Móskarðshnjúkar Trail
The Móskarðshnjúkar mountain sits next to Mount Esja in southwest Iceland. It can be easily spotted from Reykjavík but is actually quite remote. The fact that it’s harder to get to makes time spent here even more rewarding.
The sweeping rhyolite landscapes are enticing, but marked by challenging trails. Each year, avid mountain bikers embark on this 8.5 km/5.2 mi circuit that takes nearly 4 hours to complete. The real challenge is in the first half of the trail as the area is quite isolated. But as you get closer to the summit, the experience feels very rewarding.
Kjarnaskógur Forest Trail
Just outside the town of Akureyri lies one of the largest forests in Iceland called Kjarnaskógur. The adjacent marsh Hundatjorn has a special spot for bird-watching, and people often enjoy picnics and outdoor activities here as well.
The area features an extensive trail network, with a 10 km route exclusively for mountain biking. The route begins from the parking area in the city center, taking you past the campsite of Hamrar, the Eyjafjordur fjord, and reaching Mount Súlur. On average, it takes about 3 hours to complete this trail.
Mountain biking across the rugged landscapes of Iceland is a unique way to get to know the country. While the trails are varied (and sometimes challenging), and the weather temperamental, the payoff is immense: unparalleled views, geothermal wonders, and the sheer thrill of biking in one of the planet's most extraordinary environments.
So what are you waiting for? Just book your rental car in Iceland, head to these sites, and mountain bike your way across the most exhilarating trails in the country!