What to Expect When Biking in Iceland

Useful information for riding in Reykjavík or in the Highlands

Iceland is a unique mountain bike destination, and riding near Reykjavík versus heading into the highlands is two very different experiences. Near the city, you'll find moonscapes and beautiful trails, with the comfort of hotels and restaurants close by.

The highlands are something else entirely - raw landscapes, untouched wild vistas, ever-changing natural trails, and very basic facilities. There are no shops or restaurants out there. Trails are most often unmarked and not easy to find. The weather can turn from great to terrible in a very short time, and there are very few people around. We recommend using local guides for all highland journeys.

Riding in Iceland can be challenging, and it is also deeply rewarding. The terrain, the views, the weather - everything keeps changing. Our trips are not about racing. We make sure to take time to enjoy the landscapes as well as the great single-tracks. Iceland is a young country, and as a bike destination, it is younger still. Truly unique.

Language

Icelandic is the official language. All Icebike guides, and almost all Icelanders, are fluent in English.

Currency

Iceland has its own currency, the Króna. Daily exchange rates: Central Bank of Iceland. Mastercard and Visa are accepted everywhere. AMEX and Diners Club are accepted at some places, but are less widespread.

Transport

Iceland has no trains. Public buses are available at straeto.is. There is no Uber in Iceland. Book a local taxi by phone at +354 588 5522, online, or find them at taxi spots in the city center.

Local Tips, off the bike

The recipe for a great Sunday for an Icelander is also the perfect post-ride schedule. Hit a local swimming pool for swimming.is, then grab a hot dog. Head to Valdis in the city center for what many consider the best ice cream in Iceland. Wander the streets of Reykjavík, pick a cafe for a good coffee - Icelanders take their coffee seriously, and expect to pay for a decent cup. Then explore one of the local microbreweries before heading to a seafood restaurant for some well-deserved fish. We usually go for the catch of the day. Read more here: https://icebikeadventures.com/guides/what-to-do-in-iceland

Good to Know

Tap water is perfectly safe to drink anywhere in Iceland. There is no need to buy bottled water.

Weather

"In Iceland, the weather is the biggest character you deal with every day. There's nothing more relevant in your life than what kind of weather it is." (Baltastar Kormakur, film director)

A popular Icelandic saying goes: there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear. Iceland can show you sun and rain in the same 15 minutes. Dressing right makes your trip more enjoyable, and it matters for your safety in the highlands.

Temperatures

Reykjavík in summer: 8°C to 18°C (46°F to 65°F)

The Highlands (where our multi-day trips take place): 4°C to 14°C (39°F to 57°F)

Reykjavík in winter: -5°C to 8°C (23°F to 46°F)

Warmest months: mid-June through August. Best time to ride: Mid-July through August.

Bright Nights

From May until late July, expect bright evenings and nights. Around the summer solstice on June 21st, sunset is at midnight and sunrise at 3 am - around 21 hours of daylight. The opposite occurs at the winter solstice in December, with only around 4 hours of daylight.

Respect Nature - Stay on the Trail

The way we ride today shapes trail access in the future.

Random Facts About Iceland

• Roughly 85% of Iceland's energy comes from renewable sources, more than half of it geothermal.

• There is no McDonald's or Burger King in Iceland.

• Mosquitoes do not exist in Iceland, though we do have midges (known locally as "Mý").

• Iceland has over 150 public swimming pools, most of them outdoors and heated by natural volcanic energy.

• Icelanders love ice cream year-round, even when temperatures are well below zero.

• Icelanders typically do not use family surnames. Last names are built from the father's first name with "son" or "dóttir" added. There are exceptions to this; Icebike founders Magne Kvam and Asta Briem carry surnames.

• Iceland was the first country in the world to democratically elect a female president, and the first to elect an openly gay Prime Minister.

• Iceland's population is around 390,000 - comparable to a mid-sized European city. Two-thirds of the population live in Reykjavík and the surrounding towns.

• Keeping Icelandic nature unspoiled matters deeply to locals. The Environment Agency of Iceland works to protect and sustainably manage Iceland's natural resources.