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Ísafjörður

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-3°C

Hornbjargsviti

Around the Walls – Biking

Stretch your legs after all that driving and join us for a biking adventure around Skutulsfjörður!

Take part in a fun half-day trip, exploring the fjord in all its glory. This beginner-friendly trail offers stunning views across the fjord and beyond. Along the way, you’ll learn about the town’s history and gain a local perspective on what life is like in Ísafjörður.

Nestled in the heart of the Westfjords, Ísafjörður offers one of the most unique biking experiences in Iceland. Surrounded by towering mountains, deep fjords, and lush valleys, the town and its surrounding areas provide an incredible backdrop for cyclists of all levels. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or a beginner looking for a leisurely ride, biking around Ísafjörður offers an unforgettable way to explore this remote and picturesque part of Iceland.

The town itself is compact and easy to navigate, with charming streets, colourful houses, and plenty of local history to discover along the way. A bike ride around the town allows you to take in the views of Ísafjörður’s harbor, with fishing boats docked alongside the vibrant shoreline, and the dramatic mountain peaks that rise up from the fjord.

For those seeking more of a challenge, the nearby roads and trails lead into the stunning landscape of the Westfjords. One popular route follows the edge of Skutulsfjörður, providing breathtaking views across the fjord and beyond. As you cycle through peaceful valleys, you may come across quiet villages, hidden waterfalls, and lush meadows dotted with wildflowers. The terrain varies, with some gentle slopes and others that offer more elevation, rewarding cyclists with panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.

Along the way, cyclists can also learn about the history of the area. Ísafjörður has been a hub for fishing and trade for centuries, and as you ride, you’ll pass by historical sites and local landmarks that tell the story of life in this remote part of Iceland. Cycling is a perfect way to gain a local perspective on what it’s like to live in this close-knit community.

With its clean air, rugged beauty, and welcoming atmosphere, biking around Ísafjörður offers an authentic Icelandic adventure that combines natural beauty with a sense of discovery.

Contents of this tour

Tour overview

Description

The town of Ísafjörður sits below steep mountain slopes, making it vulnerable to avalanche risk during the winter. To protect the houses below, large avalanche barriers have been built in certain areas. In the summer, exploring these barriers by mountain bike is an exciting adventure.

The avalanche barriers, combined with nearby forests and open trails, create an excellent mountain biking route above the town. Our guides will provide all the assistance you need and share stories about life in Ísafjörður, the area’s history, and perhaps even some local gossip!

Please feel free to email us if you’re interested!

Meeting point: Our base at Mávagarður C (grey building) close to the Eastern Harbour.

Departure: 13:00. Be there half an hour before departure time.

Minimum age: 12 years.

Group size: We need a minimum number of 2 participants to operate the tour. Maximum group size is 8, but most of our tours are between 2–6 people.

Trip Difficulty: Easy/Moderate.

Duration of trip: 2.5 hours.

Included: Mountain bike, helmet and professional guide.

Photos

Itinerary

The journey begins at our base, Mávagarður C (grey building), where you’ll meet your guide and gear up. We’ll start by biking up the main street of the town, Aðalstræti, heading towards the mountains and the first slope that leads us to the avalanche barrier.

We’ll sneak behind the towering walls, biking along the backside before popping back out to continue along the base of the mountain. From there, we’ll follow a flowing singletrack trail towards the forest in Tungudalur, where we’ll encounter the marvelous Buná River and waterfall.

For a stunning view over the fjord, we’ll bike across the valley to reach the final avalanche barrier. The short but slightly steep climb up the barrier is well worth the view. From there, it’s an easy ride back into town.

What to bring

  • Warm woolen or fleece clothing, including a top, bottoms, and socks. Please avoid cotton, as it retains moisture and takes a long time to dry.
  • Sturdy shoes—no flip-flops!
  • A sunhat, sunglasses, and sunscreen (it can get sunny up here!).
  • A water bottle.

and don’t forget your camera!

FAQ

Yes, families with children age 12 or above can join this trip, as long as everyone knows how to ride a bike.
This tour is very easy and suitable for people of all abilities. The route is very flexible and we’re able to avoid or add section, depending on how you’re feeling.
You arrive in Keflavik International Airport about 40 minutes away from the capital city of Reykjavik. From the domestic airport in Reykjavik there are 2-3 daily 40 minute flights to Isafjordur. You can take the Fly-Bus between the airports and most of the time you can continue same day. Check out Air Iceland Connect for schedules and special offers. You can also rent a car and drive to Isafjordur. The drive, over mountain passes and through fjords is an adventure itself. It’s about 440-500 km depending on which route you take. A new road via Arnkötludalur opened in 2009 which completes the asphalted pathway the whole way, and kills the old myth of bad roads in the Westfjords! The drive will normally take you 5-6 hours. A new tunnel opened in September 2020 under the infamous mountain pass between the fjords of Arnarfjörður and Dýrafjörður. That tunnel makes it much easier to travel through the Westfjords all year round and shortens the route up the West coast. For accommodation in Reykjavik there are many options of hotels and guesthouses that we can book for groups. Please ask us for individual bookings. We strongly recommend you to spend a few extra days visiting the West Fjords and other parts of Iceland. We’re happy to help you arranging few days in the area or give you good tips about exciting things to do while in Iceland.

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