Breiðavík Big Loop

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Downhill · Hike-a-bike · Technical · Views

This route takes you on the classic Víknaslóðir mountain biking experience. Huge panoramic views, summit to sea descents in varied terrain, waterfalls and rivers, lakes, colourful mountains and postcard worthy snack stops. The standout section is The Crone, a 5km long descent down to Breiðavík featuring chossy alpine terrain into tight rutted singletrack. The climb up Chasing Waterfalls is a beautiful ride up the river until you're surrounded by little streams and waterfalls.

Parking is possible at the campground, by the community center and by the bench where the river meets the ocean just east of town. The hut in Breiðavík has picnic tables and a cold water faucet. Restrooms are available there but there is a small fee for using them as they are very remote flush toilets. There is no cell phone reception in Breiðavík so caution is advised when riding.

Starting from town, take road 94 toward the harbour. After the bridge take a right onto the road marked Breiðavík. This doubletrack trail is called Apex Ridge. Follow the trail up the first climb and onto the flat section up to the headwall. There you take a left onto The Crone. This is the first big challenge; A technical traverse northward to the Kjólsvíkurskarð pass. A steep Hike-a-Bike takes you up to the top. This is possible with E-Bikes but difficult.

From the top of the pass you can enjoy amazing views of Borgarfjörður and Breiðavík. From there is the amazing descent down to Breiðavík. Take care to turn right on the crossroads after the first descent and follow the markers. There are many false trails in the area. After crossing the ridgeline (Old Crone Ridge) you're riding in dense blueberry and crowberry lyng, crossing wet boggy areas on tricky wooden bridges. This is a fast section but care is needed because the trail can be rutted and tricky. After the wet part you emerge onto a gently sloping ridge allowing for flat-out riding winding between small ponds and dips until you arrive at the hut.

From the hut follow the markers to the bridge over the river. Cross the bridge onto Chasing Waterfalls and follow the doubletrack trail up. There are a few smaller stream crossings and one slightly more significant crossing depending on rainfall, but it can be ridden over most of the time. The climb is not difficult and the views are amazing up to the lakes.

When you get to the big lake take a slight right to follow the lakeshore on Pond Skipper. This relatively flat trail takes you to a very cozy snack spot by the shore of a small but deep lake in a low spot among orange yellow rhyolite hills. There are some wet spots along the way and a couple of sections where dismounting is recommended for a few steps. From the lake is an easy climb up and a fun & fast descent to the road. Take the road (F946) downhill and follow all the way back to town, taking care to turn right at the T-intersection where F946 meets 946.

The local map trail numbers for this route are 24, 26, 21, 30 (doubletrack), 31 and 32. Follow the road back to town to finish.

Breiðavík was inhabited by two farming families until 1945. The Crone is an old shepherd route still in use today and Chasing Waterfalls is the old travel route from Breiðavík to Húsavík still in use by locals.