How to Navigate Iceland

Icebike Trailcenters - Lundur and Reykjadalur

Maps and Trails

At the Icebike Trail Centers you will find a map of all the trails we have built and maintain. The map includes QR codes that link to AllTrails for the entire area, so you can download routes before heading out. Trails are free to ride. If you want to support the trail builders, you can pick up a support sticker at our shop.

Self-Guided Riding

Riding self-guided near the Trailcenters is absolutely possible and a great way to explore at your own pace. For longer rides or more technical terrain in the mountains, a guide will make a real difference. Many trails are unmarked, and our guides have up-to-date knowledge of trail conditions on any given day.

Driving in Iceland

Renting a car and driving around is a great way to explore Iceland. Be aware that your car needs to be insured and capable of F-roads if you plan to drive off the main paved roads. Be very careful with river crossings. What may look like an innocent stream can easily be a dangerous crossing. Always check vedur.is for weather and vegagerdin.is is a great source for road conditions.

The Terrain

Rock Sections

Rocky trails in Iceland come in two forms. The first is rock gardens - fixed rocks embedded in the trail, creating technical, trail-style segments with step-downs and drops. The second is loose rock sections, where rock sizes range from a golf ball to a football. Loose sections tend to be steep and exposed, and are common on ridgelines. Controlling your speed, braking without drifting, and clean cornering are essential skills here.

Volcanic Ash

Volcanic ash sections add another layer of challenge. The surface can shift from packed and firm to soft sand within a matter of metres, with very little warning. Stay alert and keep your weight balanced. The good news is that volcanic rock drains well and stays dry, unlike geothermal areas, where muddy soil can get slippery when wet.

The Highlands

Ride With a Guide

We strongly recommend riding with a guide in the highlands. Trails are unmarked, the weather can turn from fine to dangerous very quickly, and conditions on the ground change from day to day. A guide can update the plan in real time based on what is actually out there.

For this reason, we do not provide self-guided trail recommendations for highland riding. We want riders to be safe, and that means having someone on the ground who can respond to changing conditions.

Stay Informed

Before any highland ride, check the following:

• vedur.is - Icelandic Meteorological Office for weather forecasts.

• safetravel.is - Safety and travel conditions in Iceland.

Trails Beyond Our Area

Iceland has a small but growing trail network. A few places worth knowing about:

• Iceland Bikefarm - a unique trail destination worth a day trip.

• Hlíðarfjall near Akureyri - trails in the north.

• Húsavík and Ísafjörður - trail riding available.

• Reykjavík - a small biking area near the city center.

Outside of established areas, trails across Iceland are largely unmarked. Go prepared, go informed, and when in doubt, ride with someone who knows the terrain.