Cycle Southern Iceland

Day 1
Fly London to Keflavik, transfer to Reykjavik.

Day 2
Leaving Reyjkavik we transfer to Krisuvik, an active geothermal area known for its hot springs. Here we saddle up and start to ride the south coast of the Reykjanes peninsula, on the south west of the island. Our route takes us through ruggedly beautiful landscape, with lava fields dominating the view before giving way to long black beaches of volcanic sand to our finish in the town of Selfoss. Ride approx 70km

Day 3
Our day begins with a transfer to Seljalandsfoss waterfall at the foothills of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Here we have our first sighting of the volcano that closed the skies with its infamous ash cloud. With this dramatic backdrop we continue our journey along the coastal road, flanked on one side by the North Atlantic Ocean and on the other by the waterfalls and mountainous landscape of southern Iceland. This road leads us to the Skogafoss waterfall, one of the biggest in Iceland at 25 metres wide and 60 metres high. From here we pedal to the Solheimajokull glacier, an outlet from the Myrdalskokull ice cap that runs down almost the entire way to the sea. We see this up close as we continue as far as possible to the tongue of the glacier before heading off to our farm accommodation. Ride approx. 70km.

Day 4
Today we make further progress along the dramatic south coast towards the southernmost town in Iceland, Vik. Ahead of us lie the vast sandy plains formed by gravel and silt from glacial rivers over millenia. It is this process that is slowly extending the land out into the sea. We finish our ride at the glacial Skafta River before transferring inland to the Fjallabak area and our mountain hut accommodation. Ride approx 70km.

Day 5
Iceland holds a host of natural wonders, and our morning drive to Eldgja takes us through the some spectacular surroundings, as we wind through mountain passes and through canyons. Our first stop is at Eldgja, a 40km long eruptive fissure that was created during one of the largest fissural eruptions in history. We pass through the colourful region of Landmannalaugar, who owe their bright hues to the metamorphic colours of geothermal alteration. Once out of the Fjallabak region we mount our bikes again and begin down the Thjorsardalur Valley, stopping on the way at Stong and Thjodveldisbaerinn, a replica of a sod farmhouse from the 11th century. From here we continue along the Thorsa River and down to the small settlement of Laugaras. Ride approx 40km.

Day 6
Farmland stretches before us as we begin our day's ride, leading us all the way to the Gullfoss Waterfall, one of the most popular sites in Iceland. From here we forge ahead to Geysir, an area that needs little introduction. The plumes of hot water are a sight worth seeing, as they can extend up to 20 metres or more into the air. Our final destination is the village of Laugarvatn, on the lake of the same name. Ride approx 75km

Day 7
The Thingvellir is one of, if not the most important sites in Icelandic history. It was here that the first assembly was formed in 930. Today it is a national park, formed to protect the parliament area and the natural wonders around it. We cycle along the western side of Lake Thingvellir, the largest natural lake in Iceland and alongside the Mt Hengill volcano. We wind our way across the mountains before starting our descent towards Reykjavik. We stop on the way at the thermal pools in Laugardalur for a well deserved soak.

Day 8
Transfer to Keflavik, fly to London.