FAQ about Iceland and biking

Icebike Adventures is a locally owned and family operated business, driven by a team of committed and seasoned local riders. As pioneers in Iceland, we’re the first to organize mountain biking excursions, including groundbreaking experiences like heli-biking, fat biking, and gravel biking. nnNot only do we offer mountain biking adventures, we actively contribute to trail creation and maintenance. Our commitment extends beyond the thrill of the ride; we collaborate with authorities to advocate for trail accessibility, recognizing that our biking practices today shape future accessibility. Preserving Iceland’s unique nature is central to our mission, aiming to leave it unspoiled for generations to come!

All our scheduled trips and rentals are bookable online, click for each: rentals, daytours, multiday mtb, multiday emtb, multiday gravel. For our tailor made services, groups, helibiking and off season please contact us on bookings@icebikeadventures.com

Biking is in general a economically friendly sport and a great way to explore nature. We work with the Environmental Agency to help educate riders on respectful riding. We ofcourse to all the common sense stuff, sorting our waste, driving electric when possible. And we are proud to say that nearly everything in our Trailcenter is repurposed. We are committed to sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Our tours follow Leave No Trace principles, and we actively support local conservation efforts. We strive to leave the natural beauty of our destinations unspoiled.

We are the locals. Icebike team is born and bred in the areas we ride. We actively support the community, we support and youth programs and SAR’s.  We work with the Environmental Agency to educate riders on respectful riding to create a bright future for mountainbiking in Iceland.

The Geotrails e-MTB trip is perfect for beginner riders. It is always tailored to the riders, always private and has a 3 person minimum. n

We provide complimentary beverages after your ride to celebrate your adventure! For a post ride meal we recommend heading to the café next door for soup, sandwiches and snacks.

nDay Trips: Our Geo Trails trip is totally private so it’s just you and your group! We can accommodate 3-18 riders. With our Steamer, our groups can range from 2-8 riders. nMultiday trips: Our multiday trips are usually 4-6 riders per group, sometimes we run two groups at the same time. This means we’re small enough to remain flexible, but large enough to split a group into two, a faster and slower group. Group size is displayed on each trip webpage.n

We can ride with 18 riders at a time, split into 2-3 subgroups of up to 6 riders.

We absolutely recommend riding with a guide in the highlands. Near the Trailcenter is it possible to head out selfguided, for longer rides or more technical riding in the mountains you’ll probably make better use of your time if you have a guide as many of the trails are unmarked, and the guides have the knowledge on current trail conditions on any given day.

MULTIDAY : Our multiday trips are designed for fit, active and experienced riders. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are in doubt. DAYTOURS: The Geotrails e-MTB trip is perfect for beginner riders. It is always tailored to the riders, always private and has a 3 person minimum, you ride at your own pace. All our riders need to be comfortable riding a bike with the stamina to handle an activity similar to a hike. n

The average rider on an Icebike trip is of 25-65 years of age, love the outdoors and biking is their top hobby. From around the world, nice and fun loving people that like having a cold beer and a good conversation at the campfire after a great day of biking.nThe multiday MTB trips are not suitable for beginner MTB riders, please refer to the pictures and don’t hesitat to reach out to us if you are in doubt. We can tailor make easier multiday trips for private groups and anyone that want full control of the pace and distances of their trip.

Be there a few minutes before trip start. The guides start by checking riders in, briefing, getting bikes and helmets fitted. On scheduled rides the guides will not wait longer than 15 minutes for any guests to make sure the riders that arrive on time do not have to wait too long. In any case please call us or whatsapp message on (354) 625 0200 if you know you are running late for a daytour.

We offer pick up for all our multiday services. For daytours we recommend renting a car. It is super simple to find us and easy to navigate out of Reykjavík.nOr: We can book a driver at 45.000 ISK Reykjavík – Trailcenter – Reykjavik. Iceland is known for anything but efficient public transport, but there is a bus from Reykjavik to Hveragerði,https://straeto.is/en You will need to walk 30 minutes or grab the village taxi (354) 483 4200 to drive you the last 15 minutes to our base. n

Tap water is safe to drink throughout Iceland, there is no need to purchase bottled water. During trips your guide will keep you informed about where and when to refill your water supply, ensuring that riders carry just the right amount for the day without overburdening themselves.

The prime time to visit Iceland is from July through the first week of September, known as Highland season when the highest altitude trails are rideable. For day tours and activities closer to Reykjavik, the period from May to October is open. Early summer offers almost 24-hour daylight, creating a beautiful setting for late-night biking and hiking. As summer progresses, evenings start getting dark after mid-August, providing a slim chance to spot the Northern Lights. However, the nights get colder from the end of August, and by mid-September, the risk of snow in the highlands becomes too high for tours.nnThe optimal time for gravel biking in Iceland is from July through mid-September when roads clear of snow and become tightly packed. If your goal is to witness the Northern Lights, the best time is during winter, from October to March, when long and dark nights provide optimal viewing conditions, though not ideal for biking.nnSpring (April and May) and fall (September and October) offer a mix of mild weather and a good chance to see the Northern Lights. These shoulder seasons are suitable for biking in lower altitudes but may include days when trails are unrideable due to rain or wet slushy conditions.nnIn conclusion, the best time to visit Iceland depends on your interests, with something unique to experience in every season.

Northern lights need dark evenings to stand out on the sky. The season is September-March, during the summer months there isn’t a dark enough sky, you’ll experience 24 hour daylight in end of June. By August the days are getting shorter, and a small chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

Locals in Iceland are known for their open-minded and welcoming nature. The vast majority are fluent in English as a second language, while Icelandic, closely related to Norwegian and Danish, serves as the primary language. Enduring long winters with minimal daylight, Icelanders eagerly embrace the 24-hour summer daylight, participating in outdoor activities, night rides, camping, and lively gatherings. Our adaptability to varied weather is encapsulated in the Icelandic saying: “There is no such thing as poor weather, just inappropriate clothing and gear.”

Yes, we conduct pre-tour briefings to ensure everyone is well-informed about the itinerary, safety procedures, and what to expect during the adventure.

. Usually about 6-7 hours door to door, about 5 hours biking with stops,. a private trip = you control the pace and distance.

Single room options are available for an additional fee. During the booking process, you can indicate your preference, and the extra cost will be reflected in your total.

Twin or double rooms at 3-4*hotels are included in our multiday trips. Single rooms can be booked in advance and price will be affected.

When bringing own bike on a multiday tour it is essential to bring it in perfect working order. Our guides are equipped with basic tools to handle minor bike repairs during the tour.

Iceland trails and roads can be demanding, expect to ride a little shorter distance than your average ride at home. Geotrails = 15km, Steamer = 25km, Gravel multiday = 50-120km per day based on groups, MTB/eMTB per day= 20-40km per day. Distance will be based on final road selection,climbs and terrain.

We prioritize quality, using fresh ingredients from local suppliers. In Iceland, seafood, especially fish, is prevalent, and locals favor Lamb and Beef as their main meats. The local produce comprises greens, tomatoes, root vegetables, and berries. While most fruits are imported, we strive to offer a diverse and satisfying culinary experience.

Please inform us during the booking process of any food requirements or allergies, and we’ll make every effort to accommodate them. We offer food suitable for Vegan, Vegetarian, and Celiac preferences. While some very specific dietary requirements may pose challenges in the highlands, you can find more information on our highland facilities page.

Icelanders value good food. You’ll find multiple restaurants in Reykjavík, in the countryside expect restaurants to have fish,meat and vegetarian dishes. Pizza and fastfood is abundant but often prices similarly as more high end food.

Icebike staff understand the importance of eating well to keep up the energy for biking as well as simply having the reward of a great meal post ride. We love good food.

Expect 50-100km per day, distance based on final road selection, climbs and terrain.

Our MULTIDAY GRAVEL trips are designed for riders who have biking as their key hobby and are comfortable riding for 4-5 hours (with stops, we are not racing through). There are not very long climbs but frequent changes of terrain. The challenge of gravel riding in Iceland is the gravel can be loose and chunky, the landscapes are new at every turng and the weather is everchanging.

Gravel: 3.7-4 even 650b. MTB: strong sidewalls, good tire tread.

We do our utmost to group together riders of similar skill level. To have full control of pace, distance and routes please book a private trip.

While specific training isn’t mandatory, we recommend that participants have a good level of fitness. Our multiday trips are designed for riders with good technical skills. No drops or jumps but riders need to be happy on steep technical trails, sometimes loose soil, off camber. Fine to hike for challenging pars. Some trips require hike a bike. In any case: Don’t book a multiday trip if you are new to biking, please book a private trip so we can acoomodate and choose the trails that will make your trip a success.

On the 4 day we also go to the highlands :https://icebikeadventures.com/pictures-laugar/ – if you have a group we can consider tailoring a 3 day trip including this area. (it is 3 hours drive each way)

Our MULTIDAY MTB / eMTB trips are designed for riders who have biking as their key hobby and are comfortable riding for 4-5 hours (with stops, we are not racing through). Highland trips involve natural singletracks, AM all-mountain, and/or XC routes and some have challenging hike-and-bike sections. These trips are absolutely not suitable for beginners, requiring participants to have good XC riding experience and comfort on rough natural trails. For our highland All-Mountain MTB trips, riders should be fit enough to tackle 1-2 hour climbs and extended hike-a-bike sections. Comfort on rocky technical singletrack in remote locations is essential. The fitter you are, the more fun you’ll have. Feel free to reach out via email or phone for a quick chat to determine the best trip for you

When bringing own bike for multiday trips in Iceland be sure to bring any spare parts that are bike brand specific. Finding compatible parts in Iceland can be challenging. We recommend packing at least inner tubes, brake pads, correctly-sized spokes. Icebike will have a spare tire for 27,5 & 29″.n

Each trip provides skill level and fitness details on the trip page. For our highland All-Mountain MTB trips, riders should be fit enough to tackle 1-2 hour climbs and extended hike-a-bike sections. Comfort on rocky technical singletrack in remote locations is essential. The fitter you are, the more fun you’ll have on Icebike Adventures. Check each trip’s details and explore the rating info page for further information.

At the Trailcenter you’ll find a map of the trails we have built and are maintaining. The trails are free to ride but if you want to donate to the trailbuilders you can buy a sticker at our shop to show your support. The map includes QR codes to Alltrails for the entire area. Out of our area: Trails are mostly unmarked in Iceland. Our friends at Iceland Bikefarm have a unique trail for a day, there are trails in Hlíðarfjall, Húsavík and Ísafjörður. Reykjavik has a small biking area near the center. The highlands are beautiful but unmarked and can go from safe to a dangerous place in a very short time. We don’t provide any trail recommendatoins for selfguided riders in the highlands as we don’t want the responsibility of riders in the highlands if we are not there to give updated advice, follow weather and change the plan according to conditions.

Our Trailcenter is open May-September, rental is open 09.30-17:00 every day from May 20th to October 1st. In winter we operate tailor made experiences. For reservations and inquiries please contact us at bookings@icebikeadventures.com

We accept all major debit or credit cards. Contact us directly if you have specific payment concerns or need alternative arrangements.

We require a 20% non-refundable deposit for all multiday tour bookings. Final payment is due 8 weeks prior to the start of the trip.

Full payment has to be taken to confirm a trip.

While we don’t provide a dedicated photographer, our guides often take photos during the tour that you can later access. Feel free to inquire about this option. On private trips we can provide a seasoned MTB photographer.

Absolutely! We encourage participants to capture their experiences as long as they are not holding up the group and photography is done with all riders permission. Just be sure to secure your equipment properly, especially in challenging terrains.

Absolutely! We offer private tours for groups of varying sizes. Contact our team at info@icebikeadventures.com to discuss your group’s specific needs, and we’ll tailor a unique adventure just for you.

If you are renting a bike selfguided you will need to be able to take care of all basic repairs such as flat tire or broken chain. Repair kits can be rented at the Trailcenter and also welcome to bring your own tools. On multiday rentals the guides take care of mechanical work and maintenance.

All cancellations and modifications need to be via email, bookings@icebikeadventures.com.

On our daytours we recommend 12 years and older, and an adult must accompany all children under the age of 18. In any case it is the parents call to commit to a trip. Limiting factor can be the size of our bikes, smallest is x-small suitable for 146 cm and up. On our multiday public trips the age limit is 18 years old. Younger riders are welcome on private family trips.n

Our smallest e-MTB can accommodate riders who are 4’10” – 5’5″ (147-165cm). Our largest bike can accommodate those who are 6’0″ – 6’5” (185-197cm). Riders need to be in the weight range of 40kg-110kg ( 88-240 pounds )

If you’re looking for a leisurely pace, we recommend our Geo Trails. This adventure requires our riders to be physically active but it’s not a demanding trail. Total duration is 1,5-2 hours door to door. nFor our other adventures? In short, yes. If your ideal day involves lounging in a hammock until cocktail hour, our trips will be a good fit! However, if you’re eager to ride all day, followed by a great meal and a well-deserved beer post-ride, join us for an adventure! nnExplore our rating system page for detailed information on trip difficulty and skill levels. Each trip comes with a Physical Rating and Bike Skill Level rating to assist you in selecting the perfect adventure. If in doubt, drop us a line – we’re happy to chat and help you find the right trip.n

Short answer: mostly not. Trails in Iceland often follow old hiking and sheep trails. While purpose-built MTB trails are limited, many result from Icebike Team trail building efforts and collaborations with authorities to open and restore old routes. Ongoing work expands the trail network each year, providing more exciting routes for bikers!

About half our riders travel here solo. No problem to join a scheduled trip, but we need the first two riders to confirm any trip. If you can’t find a bookable date: Contact us, we have a standby list and we will keep you posted on confirmed trips.

Heli-Biking: If you choose to cancel your heli biking experience, a refund will be given anytime up until 7 days prior to your trip.

We require a 20% deposit on all spots booked on our multiday tours that is non-refundable. If you’ve cancelled your trip, the deposit can be used towards another scheduled multi-day trip. Only for the same person within one year of booking if cancelled more than 90 days before the start of the trip.Refund for the remaining balance is as follows:n•28 – 56 days prior to your trip: 50% of the full price of the tour is non-refundable. n• 0 – 28 days prior to your trip: No refundn

Day Trips & bike rentals. If you choose to cancel your trip or rental, a refund will be given anytime up until 48 hours prior to your trip.

Our Tailormade experiences are non-refundable.

Icebike Trail Center, bike rental, Santa Cruz dealership and starting point of all of our daytours is located in Reykjadalur,Hveragerði, about 40 minutes drive southeast of Reykjavík Trailcenter on Google Maps 64.022585, -21.212203 It is easy to find, follow the ring road to “Hveragerði” village. Drive the main road through the village until the end of the road – about 10 minutes drive – up by the foot of the mountains, big parking area, – can’t miss it.

How to travel to Trailcenter from Reykjavik:

A car rental is an easy way to go and nice if you want to hang out in the area post ride, or even add an afternoon drive to the black sand beach, farmlands, nice villages on the coast for a meal. It is super simple to find us and easy to navigate out of Reykjavík.  Tips on things in the area here: https://icebikeadventures.com/about/hveragerdi-bike-destination/ 
 
Taxi: Best rate for a taxi is 32.000 ISK both ways – you need to book this via whatsapp directly with the local driver: (+354) 783 7722 – “Taxi Ölfus”.
To keep it fast and clear please include: Date, Hotel, how many passengers and pick up time (pick up 45minutes before our trip start is perfect)
you’ll need to pay the driver directly with card or cash.

Strætó (click for details) is the public transport in Iceland.  Although Iceland is known for anything but efficient public transport, you can take a bus from the Reykjavík center to the town of Hveragerði. To get to our base from there you can call a taxi (+354) 783 7722 or – (+354) 483-4200 (approx. 10 min drive). (If taxi doesn’t respond, call us on (+354) 625 0200.

Icelanders have to endure a long winter with little daylight. In summer they use every minute of the 24 hour daylight to be outside, do nightrides, camp or party! Icelanders are used to having to embrace any kind of weather. Therefore we say: There is no such thing as poor weather, just inappropriate clothing and gear.

In Iceland the weather is the boss of all plans. An average day in the summer is about 10°- 15°C / 50-59F. There is no such thing as poor weather, just inappropriate clothing and gear.

Average temperatures:nJune 7-12°C / 44°F- 54°FnJuly 9-14°C / 48°F- 57°FnAugust 8-14°C / 46°F- 57°F

In the event of severe weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, we may need to cancel or reschedule a tour. We’ll do our best to notify you in advance and discuss alternative options.

In Iceland summer: anyones guess which summer month is the best… july = longer days, early sept (slim) chance of northern lights as days get shorter and colder.