Fat Biking & Caving in South Iceland

Kirkjubæjarklaustur is a small village on Iceland’s south coast.  Well known to locals but often bypassed by visitors on their way to the treasures of the Vatnajökull National Park, the town of 450 people sits prettily beneath a volcanic escarpment marked by the twin waterfalls of Systrafoss.  However, the area has not always been so tranquil, with the enormous Laki eruptions of 1783 that lasted for 8 months generating massive lava flows and an acid rain that killed 60% of livestock on the island and taking over 10000 lives.  Centuries later, what is left is a dramatic landscape of extinct volcanoes, deep lava caves, crystal clear mountain tarns and rolling lava fields covered in iridescent moss -  a playground for hiking and the go-anywhere Fat Bike.

Based from a private summer cottage in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, you will spend 2 days exploring this volcanic wonderland, overnighting in a cozy remote mountain cabin before returning to the village.  Starting with an exciting ride in 4-wheel drive Super Jeeps to get onto the escarpment, you will spend your days’ fat biking on quiet gravel roads between the lava fields, taking frequent breaks on foot to explore craters, don helmets and headlamps to discover secrets beneath the ground in a volcanic lava tube, or simply stop to soak up the views. 

If you are planning on spending a few days exploring the trails and glacial tongues around Skaftefell, or the Diamond Beach and ice lagoon at Jökulsárlón, this adventure makes for a great addition that takes you away from the maddening crowds you are likely to experience at these iconic destinations.  The trails are aimed at the recreational rider – all you need is a sense of adventure and a little fortitude if the notorious Iceland weather tries to spoil your day.  And if that happens, you know what they say in Iceland – if you don’t like the weather now, just wait 5 minutes….