Old Kjalvegur

For centuries Kjalvegur was the main route between the southern and northern part of Iceland. The new Kjalvegur motorway remains the most popular route in the highlands. We will not be cycling along the new road but will instead take the old Kjalvegur, better known as the “Ancient Kjalvegur”. It is one of the best cycling routes in Iceland. This route is not for the faint of heart.

We start at Hveravellir and spend the night there after taking a bath in a natural hot pool outdoors. Hveravellir is a spectacular place with hot fumes rising out of the earth and smoking fumaroles, some full of mysteriously blue water. In the 17^th century Hveravellir was for a while home to the most famous of Icelandic outlaws, Fjalla-Eyvindur and his spouse Halla, and the remains of their hut can still be seen.

From Hveravellir we will cycle along the Valley of Thieves (Þjófadalir) along the east-perimeter of Langjökull glacier. We will be able to get to glimpse of rumbling and muddy glacial rivers and some excellent views of the glacier as it winds its way down to the Hvítarvatn lagoon. We end the tour at Hvítárnes, by an old mountain-hut that is said to be haunted. Many travellers who has spent the night there has seen a distraught young woman appear in the dimly lit hallway. According to archaeological evidence there once was a small farm in Hvítarnes and it’s thought that the footpaths from the farm lay where the mountain-hut was build centuries later. Thankfully we do not have to stay in the Hvítarnes-hut because we will be picked up and driven to Reykjavik, stopping at two beautiful popular sites along our way.  First we will visit the continent’s largest and most powerful waterfall, Gullfoss. This spectacular waterfall is located in the canyon of Hvítá river. On a sunny day, Gullfoss sparkles with countless rainbows. Then we will visit Geysir, hot springs that have exisited for over a thousand years. A stunning site is viewing the hot springs erupt,  throwing steam into the air.

This route is 45 kilometers, cycled in one day. The terrain is very demanding, changing from grass to mud, volcanic sand and lava, with single-track trails being common.

Please note: in this trip bikers might have to walk short distances (few hundred meters each time) with their bikes where the terrain is most demanding (rough lava and soft sand).

To join the tour you need to be in good physical shape and it is necessary to have some experience of mountain biking.

Cycling along the Ancient Kjalvegur offers a unique experience of the Icelandic highlands and its nature. We recommend it to everyone who is up for the challenge!